July 1, 2014
A hand-picked group of South Burnett movers and shakers (ie. people with “relevant views and experience in advancing civil society”) met in Kingaroy this afternoon to discuss a proposed National Centre For Excellence For Civil Society.
The invitees were asked to “help shape a key body supporting community responses to key social issues in the future”.
Focus group facilitator Andrew Young said a National Centre For Excellence (NCE) had been proposed by the Federal Government in the run-up to the last election.
The stated aim of the NCE was to “enhance the institutions of civil society”.
“The NCE is not a government body,” Mr Young said.
“It will be run by the sector for the sector. The only thing we know for sure is that it is independent of government. Everything else is open …”
The focus group was invited to explore the NCE’s potential purpose, role and activities; organisational model and financial sustainability.
A definition of “civil society” was also discussed.
Mr Young said The Centre For Social Impact – a joint project of four Australian universities – had been contracted to “write a scope” for the NCE for the Federal Government.
“Our brief is to come up with one option,” Mr Young said.
To that end, the Centre was undertaking a 14-week nationwide project to “research stakeholder engagement and advice” to develop and refine a preferred model.
Phase 1 included small focus groups meeting in different places and an online survey.
It was supposed to end on June 30 but was especially extended to enable a Regional Focus Group to take place in Kingaroy to seek input from a smaller, non-urban community and to engage directly with a more diverse group of potential NCE stakeholders.
Phase 2, of the consultation will begin in three weeks.
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Confused? According to the Centre for Social Impact:
Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) refers to organisations with a primary focus on social purpose* whether local, regional or national, whether voluntary, not-for-profit or social enterprise.
Civil Society also incorporates relationships and interactions between CSOs, people in communities and organisations in different sectors (including business and government) working towards stronger social outcomes.
*Social purpose may include (but is not limited to) health, social services, education, research, culture, arts, sport, recreation, religion, community development, employment and training, housing, ageing, disability, environment, law and advocacy.
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The establishment of the NCE follows the decision by the Federal Government to axe the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profit Commission, a statutory government body to regulate charities and other not-for-profit groups which has been operating since December 2012.
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