Reflections from four decades of social policy: Social Policy Seminar

The Australian Social Policy Association and the Australian and New Zealand School of Government invite you to attend a social policy seminar:

Enhanced rights and protections, but what about capability? Reflections from four decades of social policy engagement 

Date: Wednesday 13 March 2013 5.30 – 7pm, followed by light refreshments
Presenter: Alison McClelland, Commissioner, Productivity Commission
Respondents: Paul Ronalds, First Assistant Secretary, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet
Annette Michaux Strategic Policy and Research Manager, The Whiddon Group
Location: Barton Theatre, Level 1, JG Crawford Building 132, Lennox Crossing, ANU, Canberra

In this lecture Alison McClelland will reflect on her experiences in social policy over four decades in different sectors, organisations and positions. Over this time social policy has expanded significantly - its scope has widened, the resources devoted to achieving its aims have increased and the number and type of organisations involved in its study and development magnified. What has all this activity meant for the use of evidence in policy formulation, for the quality, shape and broader influence of social policy and, most of all, for improvements to social wellbeing? This lecture will put the case that over the past four decades overall well- being has improved, particularly in material terms. Social policy has assisted in enhancing rights and protections but it has been less successful in developing the capability of people and organisations to deal with the different risks that they now face.

About the presenter

Alison McClelland is a Commissioner at the Productivity Commission. She has held senior roles in the Victorian Government, La Trobe University and was for a number of years the Director at the Brotherhood of St Laurence, responsible for Social Action and Research. Alison has participated in numerous government advisory committees including the Board of Taxation, the Social Security Review Advisory Council, the National Board of Employment, Education and Training, and the Advisory Committee of the Economic Planning Advisory Council. Alison was awarded the Centenary Medal for her contribution to social policy and social research in Australia.

About the respondents

Paul Ronalds is currently First Assistant Secretary responsible for the Office of Work and Family in the Department of Prime Minister & Cabinet. Prior to joining the Australian Government, Paul held senior executive roles in both domestic and international NGOs and in the private sector. He is the author of The Change Imperative: Creating a Next Generation NGO, a book that examines the organisational challenges faced by international NGOs in a rapidly evolving global political context.

Annette Michaux is the Strategic Policy and Research Manager at The Whiddon Group, a large non-profit organisation providing services to older people in New South Wales. Annette  has held a number of senior executive,  policy and operational positions in both government and non-profit organisations. She has also worked in front-line child protection and community development in both the UK and Australia. She recently co-edited the book, Bridging the 'Know-Do' Gap: Knowledge Brokering to Improve Child Wellbeing, with Gabriele Bammer and Ann Sanson.

This lecture is free and open to the public.