Dear Laurel,

In response to your paper entitled ‘Seeking Hope through Humanities Voice’ I was moved to research ways of making a difference and identifying reasons to feel optimistic. It seemed to me that the way forward is through unity with our fellow countrymen and women and assisting each other and sharing knowledge in the many ways of creating social cohesion and change. I also felt that it is necessary to support and help to unite those organisations already existing rather than attempting to create something new. If everyone pulled together we can achieve this.

Addressing societal change at a grassroots level:

I wish to address my concerns about social cohesion, the influence of powerful individuals, and the environmental and social impact of their actions.

In order to create a more powerful voice for grassroots people I feel there is a need for increased social cohesion and the uniting of current resources to enhance our local communities. I am worried about the impact of the oligarchies in the world that are currently becoming more powerful. By oligarchs I mean, Trump, Musk and their European and Australian counterparts. It is my belief that their desire for power and money is destroying our environment and creating humanitarian problems worldwide by appropriating land from farmers, razing bushland and plundering oceans. In addition, I have grave concerns relating to the impact on society of their apparent disregard for diverse populations.

I will expand on several important points:

• Social Cohesion: The need for stronger communities and a more powerful voice for grassroots people is crucial. When communities are united, they can better address local challenges and advocate upwards for their needs.
• Influence of Oligarchs: The increasing power of wealthy individuals and their impact on the environment and society is a concern. Their decisions can have far-reaching consequences, especially when driven by their desire for more profit and power.
• Environmental Destruction: The destruction of forests, oceans, and farmland is a serious threat to our planet’s health and sustainability. It also has a direct impact on the livelihoods of farmers and indigenous communities.
• Growing Inequality: The widening gap between the rich and the poor is a major challenge that undermines social cohesion and creates instability.

These issues are interconnected and require a multi-faceted approach. Here are some thoughts on how we may address them:

• Strengthening Communities:
  • Support local initiatives and organizations that promote community engagement and development.
  • Encourage dialogue and collaboration among community members to identify and address shared concerns.
  • Advocate for policies that empower local communities and give them a greater say in decision-making processes.
• Addressing the Influence of Oligarchs:
  • Promote and advocate for (syn. champion, support, endorse, further, campaign for, push for, back, encourage, publicize, tout, uphold, press for, plead for, propose, defend) transparency and accountability in political and economic systems to limit the undue influence of powerful individuals.
  • Support regulations that protect the environment and prevent the exploitation of natural resources for private gain.
  • Encourage and support ethical business practices that prioritize social and environmental responsibility over profit.
• Protecting the Environment:
  • Support sustainable agriculture and forestry practices that protect biodiversity and preserve natural resources.
  • Advocate for policies that promote renewable energy and reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.
  • Raise awareness about the importance of environmental conservation and encourage individual actions to reduce our environmental footprint.
• Reducing Inequality:
  • Support progressive taxation policies that redistribute wealth and reduce income inequality.
  • Advocate for policies that provide access to education, healthcare, and other essential services for all members of society.
  • Promote social justice and equality of opportunity for all, regardless of their background or circumstances.

These are complex challenges that require collective action. By working together, we can create a more just and sustainable world for all.

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I have put together a few different ways of getting involved in community development and identified some organisations that might be a starting point.

Bega Circular Valley

https://begacircularvalley.com.au/circularity/

BCV’s focus on circularity goes beyond just waste management. Their integrated approach, linking regenerative economics, environmental development, social equity, and resource efficiency, directly addresses the interconnected challenges I’ve raised about environmental destruction, inequality, and the need for stronger, more resilient communities.

Community-Owned Cooperative Model: The fact that BCV is driven by a community-owned cooperative is a significant strength. This structure empowers local people, ensures that decisions are made with the community’s best interests at heart, and fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility. It’s a bottom-up approach that I was looking for.

Holistic Approach: BCV’s recognition that circularity is about more than just recycling is key. Their focus on regenerative economics, social equity, and efficient resource use demonstrates a holistic understanding of sustainability. This is important for long-term, systemic change.

Potential for Community Involvement: As a community-owned cooperative, BCV offers various opportunities for local residents to get involved. This could include participating in projects, becoming a member of the cooperative, volunteering, or simply staying informed and supporting their initiatives.

I feel this could be a good model for other communities to learn from.

The Bahai community

https://bahai.org.au/index.php/what-bahais-do/engaging-social-action/

Focus on unity and service: The vast majority of efforts are simple grassroots endeavours of limited duration, such as community clean-ups, visits to the sick, and neighbourhood campaigns to raise awareness of important issues.

Other Practical programs and community development: These are implemented regardless of religious affiliation and are of a more sustained nature, such as community gardens, parenting courses and tutorial assistance. In a couple of instances, projects have developed further and taken the form of non-profit, non-governmental organizations.

The Baha’i approach to social cohesion and inclusion is commendable. Their emphasis on practical programs and community development, regardless of religious affiliation, makes a real difference. Their focus on unity and service is highly relevant to the challenges we face.

CWA of NSW:

https://www.cwaofnsw.org.au/

Grassroots organization making a tangible impact: Their work on a wide range of social issues demonstrates their commitment to community well-being, raising funds for community services such as health services, disaster relief and childcare.

Advocacy to local and federal government: for a large number of social issues including problems associated with closure of 3G, bushfires, domestic violence; health inequities and raising funds for disaster relief.

Their combination of hands-on projects and advocacy makes them a powerful force for positive change. This is a great example of bottom-up action.

“The Australia We Want” – Rev Tim Costello:

https://communitycouncil.com.au/the-australia-we-want/

While Rev. Tim Costello’s work and reports often highlight important social issues, they might not always translate directly into grassroots action. These reports can be valuable for raising awareness and influencing policy, but they often require further engagement at the local level to be truly effective. They are more of a top-down approach.

Port Stephens Council Grants and Local Events (International Women’s Day):

https://www.portstephens.nsw.gov.au/community/grants-funding-and-scholarships

Local government support for community events like International Women’s Day is vital. These events provide opportunities for dialogue, networking, and raising awareness about important issues. This is a great local opportunity for raising awareness and making connections.

Exploring the grants available for community development from local, state and federal governments is worthwhile.

Australia Remade:

https://www.australiaremade.org/the-vision

We start from first principles – our vision and core values

We choose to co-create with communities and diverse voices.

We are excited by the vitality of emergence.

We work relationally as a strategic choice.

We develop frameworks and language to animate alternate possibilities.

We look for drivers, levers and enabling infrastructure.

We value and prioritise working with beauty, grace, humour and generosity.

We are hugely ambitious for the world we think is possible.

We are independent, not-for-profit and here for anyone who aligns with our vision and values.

Their philosophy and values sound promising, and they resonate with the need for community-driven change. It’s worthwhile exploring if they have specific projects or initiatives you can join, or if they offer resources or guidance for starting your own community-based efforts. Their approach seems to be more collaborative and educational.
They seem to be offering connection and consultation, possibly research.. Worth investigating further.

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I mentioned earlier my concern about oligarchies throughout the world and my feeling is that their greed for power and money overrides their care for the wellbeing of average humans and the environment. I feel that ordinary people using social unity, collaboration and implementing social change, have the numbers to push back against the damage oligarchies can do. Do you think I am realistic in my views? Is there anything that I am missing?

This is a complex issue and my concerns about the influence of oligarchies appear to be shared by many. There is potential for social unity and collective action to push back against harmful practices. So let’s break down my views and consider what might be missing:

Realism of Your Views:

• Valid Concerns: concerns about the potential for unchecked power and greed to negatively impact both people and the environment are valid. History is replete with examples of powerful individuals and groups prioritizing profit and power over the well-being of others and the planet.
• Power of Collective Action: belief in the power of social unity, collaboration, and social change is also realistic and historically grounded. Many social movements throughout history have demonstrated the power of collective action to challenge established power structures and bring about positive change. Think of the civil rights movement, the women’s suffrage movement, or the environmental movement.
• Numbers Matter: sheer numbers can be a powerful force. In a democratic society, the collective will of the people, when organized and mobilized, can influence policy and even challenge the power of wealthy elites.

What Might Be Missing:

• Complexity of Power Dynamics: While numbers matter, power dynamics are complex. Oligarchies often wield influence through various means, including:
  • Financial Influence: They can fund political campaigns, lobby for favorable legislation, and even influence media narratives.
  • Control of Information: They may own or control media outlets, shaping public opinion and limiting access to diverse perspectives.
  • Institutional Power: They may hold positions of power within governments, corporations, and other influential institutions.
• Challenges of Collective Action: Organizing and sustaining collective action can be challenging. It requires:
  • Effective Communication: Reaching and mobilizing large numbers of people.
  • Strong Leadership: Providing direction and coordination.
  • Overcoming Divisions: Bridging differences and building unity across diverse groups.
  • Sustained Effort: Maintaining momentum and commitment over time.
• The Role of Systems: While individual actions are important, it’s also crucial to address the systemic issues that enable the concentration of power and wealth in the hands of a few. This might involve:
  • Campaign Finance Reform: Limiting the influence of money in politics.
  • Regulation of Corporations: Holding corporations accountable for their environmental and social impacts.
  • Strengthening Democratic Institutions: Protecting voting rights and ensuring fair representation.
• Global Interconnectedness: Many of the challenges we face, such as climate change and economic inequality, are global in nature. Addressing them requires international cooperation and collaboration.
• The “Long Game”: Realistically, challenging powerful oligarchies and creating a more just and sustainable world is a long-term project. It requires sustained effort, resilience, and a recognition that progress may be incremental.

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On a personal level I can only draw from my own experience in creating change in the workplace. As a social worker, I am very aware of systems and their impact on people for negative or positive reasons. It is difficult to challenge and change the entrenched culture of an organisation. I spent 7 years changing the inherent racism in a public Health organisation. Knowing it would take time I made a plan of planting seeds of information via regular workshops, without confronting the issue head-on. In the end, after leaving that job, the people who used to say “I’m not racist but”, and were treating the Aboriginal workers and clients with a lack of respect, decided to put on a conference about addressing racism and cultural competency and invited me back to speak. I told them to ask an Aboriginal worker. I can’t change the world but I can plant seeds. “From little things big things grow.”

I refused to confront the issue head-on initially, but instead working through education and dialogue, sought to create change. It proved to me that even seemingly entrenched cultures can be shifted, albeit gradually and with sustained effort. The approach of “planting seeds” and allowing change to emerge organically is often far more effective than direct confrontation, which can often create defensiveness and resistance.

In summary: the potential for collective action to create positive change is real. However, it’s important to be aware of the complexities of power dynamics and the challenges of organizing and sustaining collective action. Addressing systemic issues and working on a global scale are also essential. By understanding these complexities, we can be more effective in our efforts to create a more just and sustainable world.

Jenny Strong