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SOCIAL CAPITAL |
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| With the closure of Ansett and failure of its sale, the 'children overboard' affair, and the accusations of sexual abuse cases being covered up in the church, there is plenty to dampen confidence in Australia's organisations. Corporate business, government and church have all come under fire for not disclosing significant information, and, as a result, hurting many people. Thousands have found themselves suddenly without work when it was expected that the deal would go through to put Ansett permanently back in the skies. Asylum seekers have been wrongly demonised at a critical time just before an election. Victims of sexual abuse have not had their cases heard. MORE...
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| Robert Putnam is Professor of International Affairs at Harvard University. He has been conducting a study of the social bases of American democracy. In a recent article, he raised concern about the levels of community contribution in America.
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| This paper was first given at the 'Spirit of Australia' conference held in Melbourne, July 2001 to explore the relationship between Christian faith and society. The paper explores the place that religion has had in contributing to social capital. It argues that, as the natures of society and religion have changed, so new ways need to be found for religion to contribute to social capital and social well-being.
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| Voluntary work plays an important role in Australian society. Millions of hours are spent by Australians in working for charities, coaching children's sporting teams, serving on the committees of communities organisations, and in a myriad ways contributing to the well-being of Australian society. If that huge contribution is to be maintained, it is important to understand who contributes most and why they contribute.
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| The Identification and Analysis of Indicators of Community Strength and Outcomes, written by Alan Black and Philip Hughes, has just been released by the Federal Government department of Family and Community Services. The report contains a comprehensive review and analysis of literature on indicators of community strength and suggests ways in which community strength could be defined and measured in Australia. It contributes to the Federal Government's policies to strengthen community life.
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| There is a deep feeling among many Australians that, somehow, we need to recapture the sense of community that we believe existed a few decades ago. The advertisements for new housing developments promise space in which neighbours converse to each other. Television soapies portray communities in which people know each other and, at least sometimes, care about each other. Radio tries to build a sense of community as people interact on topics of common interest.
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