tasa 2013 conference, monash university abstract · pdf filems corinne proske, head of...

TASA 2013 Conference, Monash University

Abstract Template

Neo-liberalism, self-responsibility and homelessness: Understanding interactions between people

experiencing homelessness and the service providers assisting them

1. Louise Holdsworth

2. Margaret Tiyce

Name of corresponding author: Louise Holdsworth

Email address:

Abstract (no more than 300 words with no figures or tables):

From a neo-liberalist perspective, understandings of homelessness tend to take an individualistic

view, focusing attention almost exclusively on the individual and their behaviour rather than

acknowledging that homelessness involves a complex range of factors. Many factors are structural

involving deficiencies and inequalities (especially a lack of affordable housing, poverty,

unemployment and discrimination), alongside individual life circumstances, including ill-health and

trauma, that commonly intersect to affect housing concerns. Individualistic understandings of

homelessness decree that individuals build positive self-biographies by assuming responsibility-for-

self, thereby succeeding in their negotiation of social, political, and economic structures. Such

understandings also shape the service provider/service user relationship where evidence of self-

responsibility by people seeking assistance is often implied. This relationship is invariably infused

with power imbalances which can hinder information sharing between service providers and people

seeking assistance.

Drawing on qualitative research undertaken in the Northern Rivers region of NSW, this study aimed

to provide an understanding of interactions between people experiencing homelessness and the

service providers assisting them. In-depth interviews and a focus group were conducted with 17

participants seeking assistance for housing and related problems. Eighteen service providers were

also interviewed to obtain their understandings and personal experiences in assisting clients.

Participants seeking assistance frequently recognised a social obligation to construct and sustain

positive self-narratives, and to present as ‘worthy’ and ‘deserving’ of help. It was clearly understood

by participants that there are inherent difficulties in presenting personal information which might

add to stigmatisation and perceptions of failing to act responsibly. In turn, service providers

stressed expectations that participants would demonstrate self-responsibility in their behaviours

and narratives of self in order to be eligible for assistance. This presentation draws attention to the

neo-liberal ideology of self-responsibility in interactions between people experiencing

homelessness and the service providers assisting them.


Abstract Template

TITLE: ADDRESSING FINANCIAL EXCLUSION IN AUSTRALIA: THE IMPACT OF

GOOD SHEPHERD MICROFINANCE’S NO- AND LOW-INTEREST LOANS

Author/s and affiliation (add more as required):

1. Dr Anton Mischewski, General Manager, Public Affairs, Good Shepherd Microfinance

2. Dr Gillian McIlwain, Research & Policy Manager, Good Shepherd Microfinance

3. Mr Gareth Beyers, Research & Policy Officer, Good Shepherd Microfinance

4. Ms Corinne Proske, Head of Community Finance & Development, National Australia Bank

5. Mr Stephen Bennett , Senior Researcher, Centre for Social Impact,

6. Mr Randall Pieterse, FMP Policy, Money Management Branch, Department of Families, Housing,

Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.

Name of corresponding author: Dr Anton Mischewski

Email address: [email protected]


Good Shepherd Microfinance in partnership with Department of Families, Housing, Community

Services and Indigenous Affairs and National Australia Bank has over a 30 year history in the

practical delivery of financial services and products for Australians on low and limited

incomes. Access to credit and financial services is a basic element of citizenship and essential

to participation in society. However, according to the recent Measuring Financial Exclusion in

Australia (2012, 2013), there is an alarming growth in the numbers of Australians who 1) have

no access to $2000 credit; 2) have no home or contents insurance and 3) have no basic bank

account. This paper presents the findings of the impact of Good Shepherd Microfinance’s No-

and Low-interest Loans (NILS & StepUp respectively). Findings are drawn from a suite of

recent evaluations that detail the Social Return on Investments and Good Shepherd

Microfinance’s Geographic Information Systems (GIS) project that maps the supply and

demand of financial products tailored to people on low incomes. We conclude by discussing

how microfinance can extend its reach to address the growing rates of financial exclusion in

Australia.


Abstract Template

TITLE: MICROFINANCE IN AUSTRALIA: THE STORY SO FAR


1. Dr Anton Mischewski, General Manager, Public Affairs, Good Shepherd Microfinance

2. Dr Gillian McIlwain, Research & Policy Manager, Good Shepherd Microfinance

3. Mr Gareth Beyers, Research & Policy Officer, Good Shepherd Microfinance

4. Ms Corinne Proske, Head of Community Finance & Development, National Australia Bank

5. Mr Stephen Bennett , Senior Researcher, Centre for Social Impact,

6. Mr Randall Pieterse, Head of FMP Policy, Money Management Branch, Department of Families,

Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.

Name of corresponding author: Dr Anton Mischewski



Microfinance is often associated with developing economies yet it has significantly developed

in terms of scale and reach in Australia since 2003. This paper will first present a brief

historical overview of microfinance in Australia, competing definitions and current trends of

financial exclusion, and current approaches to increase financial inclusion with specific

reference to the cross-sector partnerships between not-for-profit, government and corporate.

Our paper overviews the alarming increases in levels of financial exclusion in Australia based

on Measuring Financial Exclusion in Australia (2011, 2012, 2013). Then we propose a financial

inclusion continuum that quantifies demographic sectors, their needs for products and

services. We demonstrate how the interconnectedness of financial institutions, governments,

community organisations, researchers and networks is required to address making financial

inclusion achievable.

Abstract Template

TITLE: Infotainment and Domestic Violence: Educating CALD communities

through community theatre.

Author/s: Irena C. Veljanova, Philip Birch

Affiliation/s:

Irena C. Veljanova, School of Social Sciences and Psychology, University of Western

Sydney

Philip Birch, School of Social Sciences and Psychology, University of Western Sydney

Start text of Abstract Here (no more than 200 words with no figures or tables):

Considering that in Australia women from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds are

less likely to report Domestic Violence (DV)/Family Violence (FV) comparative to the mainstream

population (Aly and Gaba 2007; Bonar and Roberts 2006; Chung et. Al., 2000; Keys 1998; Morgan and

Chadwick 2009 in Ghafournia 2011:208) the need for effective public campaign for raising awareness

amongst these communities is well established. Given that this has been a consistent trend for many

years, it is imperative to reconsider the effectiveness of the public campaigns which are conducted by

utilising the ‘traditional’ format of information sessions, ‘talked at’ media clips and exposure to

distressing facts and imagery. To this end, the focus of this paper is to consider the effectiveness of

infotainment or edutainment approach (“the integration of educational messaging with popular

entertainment” (Cooper et al. 2013:21) in raising awareness about DV/FV amongst CALD communities as

an alternative, more contemporary approach to public campaigning on the DV/FV issue. With the aim of

raising awareness on DV/FV matters the Macedonian Australian Community Theatre in 2012 produced a

play titled 'Keep the Candle Alight' integrating education messages on elderly abuse, IDV and children

abuse in a play about a troubled extended Macedonian family. This paper will draw on the preliminary

findings of the research conducted into the effectiveness of the edutainment approach by the means of

community theatre amongst the Macedonian Community in Australia.


Abstract Template

TITLE: Media Capital: A New Pathway to Civic Participation in Saudi Arabia


1. Muna AlGhuraibi

Department of sociology and social Policy, University of Sydney

Name of corresponding author: Muna AlGhuraibi



Abstract

“Because my mother couldn’t change my present, I decided to change

my daughter’s future”(Manal Alshreef, arrested for driving in K.S.A)

“Alphabets were confiscated. words were suffocated in our throats. We have been deprived

from writing, but now we have Twitter” (Alhodhaif . Human Right Activist)

The above quotes, taken from the social media profiles of two Saudis; women’s rights and

human rights activists, capture the sense of fairness, justness, and appropriateness that social

media represents for Saudi citizens. Formal and informal social networks are known to be

important foundations for civic action, but less well understood is the role of social media in

building new forms of participation. The political capacities of social media show particular

promise in Saudi Arabia, a nation where civil and human rights—especially for women—have

long been deficient. Arguing that social media can play an important role in fomenting social

ties, this paper claims that “bridging social capital” generated from social media interactions is

as important as face-to-face interpersonal social capital in shaping individuals’ choices to

participate (or not) in collective action. The case of a successful, digitally orchestrated campaign

to protect two women convicted for driving automobiles shows that social media has begun to

stimulate civic engagement in new ways in Saudi Arabia. The paper outlines the significance of

social media—in particular the “media capital” it generates—as a tool of empowerment for

exerting bottom-up pressure on national leaders to change policies and implement reforms.

Key words: social media, social capital, civic engagement, women’s rights, Saudi Arabia


Abstract Template

TITLE:


1. Audrey Guy

2.

3.

Name of corresponding author: Audrey Guy



Can we afford to treat our older people as second class citizens? Aren’t we creating

problems for ourselves, and for our seniors, through our attitude?

Older people claim that they are regarded by the rest of society as silly old fools, forgetful,

childish and useless, among other expressions. Add to these frequent news headlines about the cost of

pensions and health and we are not creating a healthy environment in which to age in Australia.

Shouldn’t we be presenting ageing as an opportunity to continue with current dreams or previously

unfulfilled ones? It should be a positive time of life; free from the commitments of family and mortgage.

It should a time to be who we really want to be.

History is full of older people who have been high achievers in their later years. This continues today

with contemporary Australians like Margaret Olley, Bryce Courtenay, Peter Sculthorpe and Dr Catherine

Hamlin who continue to contribute to the world in later life.

Life is a continuum from birth to death with the same needs of being loved, being wanted and having a

status in life necessary ingredients throughout. Do we have the right to deny older people having these

basic rights and what is the downside to our attitude? Is it an increase in health expenditure, an increase

in the need for residential care, an increase in depression and perhaps other forms of mental illness,

including the expensive Alzheimer’s disease?

Do we want to be treated as second class when we get older?

We need to create an environment in which older people can still achieve in whatever field they choose

and encourage them to do so. They will then be an asset to the country with their skills, knowledge,

experience and wisdom. We should be proud of them.

Presenter biography:-

At 76 the presenter has just completed a Ph D in ’Successful Ageing’. She already has a science degree

and 3 Master’s degrees in Education, Accountancy and Population Studies. She has presented papers at

international conferences in Copenhagen, Beijing, Melbourne and Seoul and at regional and state

conferences in Australia.

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