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.
TASA 2013 Conference, Monash University
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]
Abstract (no more than 300 words with no figures or tables):
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.
TASA 2013 Conference, Monash University
Abstract Template
TITLE: MICROFINANCE IN AUSTRALIA: THE STORY SO FAR
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, Head of 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]
Abstract (no more than 300 words with no figures or tables):
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.
TASA 2013 Conference, Monash University
Abstract Template
TITLE: Media Capital: A New Pathway to Civic Participation in Saudi Arabia
Author/s and affiliation (add more as required):
1. Muna AlGhuraibi
Department of sociology and social Policy, University of Sydney
Name of corresponding author: Muna AlGhuraibi
Email address: [email protected]
Abstract (no more than 300 words with no figures or tables):
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
TASA 2013 Conference, Monash University
Abstract Template
TITLE:
Author/s and affiliation (add more as required):
1. Audrey Guy
2.
3.
Name of corresponding author: Audrey Guy
Email address: [email protected]
Abstract (no more than 300 words with no figures or tables):
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.