Collaborative efforts to empower vulnerable communities and children
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The Albanese Labor Government aims to ensure all children in Australia have the opportunity to thrive.
This commitment applies regardless of where they grow up.
The government has reaffirmed their commitment to addressing entrenched, intergenerational disadvantage experienced by families and their children and communities with the second roundtable of the Investment Dialogue for Australia’s Children (IDAC).
Held in Adelaide, the dialogue brings Government and 24 philanthropic partners together to agree to work collaboratively to empower vulnerable communities, the families that live in them and their children.
The roundtable agreed to the scope and direction of the next phase of the 10-year Commonwealth-philanthropy IDAC partnership, with actions including:
- Collaborating with local communities to align investments and better back-in community change in up to 50 communities by 2030;
- Expanding the partnership by inviting State and Territory government partners and new philanthropic members to work with IDAC;
- Agreeing to establish a dedicated early years Working Group to improve early childhood development in communities experiencing disadvantage, with a focus on wraparound services and First Nations led models: and
- Establishing the IDAC Social Impact Investment and Advisory Working Group under the Government’s $100 million Outcomes Fund.
IDAC was an outcome of the Government’s 2022 Jobs and Skills Summit, delivered under the $200 million Targeting Entrenched Disadvantage package to achieve better outcomes and wellbeing for Australian children and young people in collaboration with philanthropy.
Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth said it is through true, meaningful collaboration of government, philanthropic organisations and Australian communities that positive, lasting change will be achieved.
“It is through the honest dialogue and informed discussions taking place through these roundtables that will allow us to introduce evidence-based policy and best practices to the benefit of all Australians,” Minister Rishworth said.
“We need to continually ensure we put communities at the centre of all we do not just as a recipient of the decisions we make.”
Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the best way to achieve real, lasting results is by listening to communities and partnering with those who know them best.
“Government and philanthropy can make a profound difference in children’s lives – but only if work together with the communities who know best what they need to thrive,” the Treasurer said.
“Too many kids in communities around Australia are trapped in the cycle of intergenerational disadvantage.
Through the Investment Dialogue we’re aligning our efforts and investing in the future of our children, and of our nation.”
Read also: $100 million in grants to boost crisis housing for vulnerable women and children
IDAC executive member and Paul Ramsay Foundation CEO, Professor Kristy Muir, said that philanthropy is proud to be part of this collaboration.
“The Investment Dialogue represents a genuine commitment from philanthropy, government and community to work differently to create the conditions for children and young people to thrive,” Professor Muir said.
“Coordinating our efforts and investments will ensure we’re working for community, not the other way around.”
First Nations Leadership Council Chair April Lawrie said IDAC was a vehicle to “bring the right players to the table to improve the way in which philanthropy, government and community work together for the benefit of our children”.
“Historically, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities haven’t had the opportunity to work with both philanthropy and government together in a coordinated way, so establishing the First Nations Leadership Council in May was an important milestone, which represents new ground with great potential,” Lawrie said.
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