Social Inclusion as an Objective Nan Bosler, ASCCA Social Inclusion as an Objective Nan Bosler Australian Seniors Computer Clubs Association 30 October - 1 November ALA National Conference, Fremantle WA

Social Inclusion as an Objective Nan Bosler, ASCCA Social Inclusion should be an objective for every workshop, program and organisation! It is about ensuring that all sectors of society are included by organisations just like ours. There are benefits when you are aware of social inclusion and consider it when developing any project or plan.

Social Inclusion as an Objective Nan Bosler, ASCCA Positive action taken to include all sectors of society in planning and other decision- making Positive action taken to include all sectors of society in planning and other decision- making Have or take someone in as a member of a group, community, or society as a whole Have or take someone in as a member of a group, community, or society as a whole Social networks can provide social support, social influence, opportunities for social engagement and meaningful social roles as well as access to resources and intimate one-on-one contact Social networks can provide social support, social influence, opportunities for social engagement and meaningful social roles as well as access to resources and intimate one-on-one contact

Social Inclusion as an Objective Nan Bosler, ASCCA “ …social inclusion - ought to be the basis for a new integration of economic with social prosperity.” “It should also recognise the worlds of caring, culture, education and other civil society endeavours.”

Social Inclusion as an Objective Nan Bosler, ASCCA The Hon Julia Gillard in a joint media release with Senator The Hon Ursula Stephens stated that : “The Government’s Social Inclusion Agenda has ensured that across Government, programs are targeted to make a real difference for disadvantaged and marginalised Australians.”

Social Inclusion as an Objective Nan Bosler, ASCCA “Investing in education, training and skills is fundamental to ensuring our economic sustainability, optimising our human capital and fighting disadvantage.”

Social Inclusion as an Objective Nan Bosler, ASCCA Many of us have been frustrated by the obvious need for a whole of government approach to many issues affecting our target groups and it is with great anticipation that we see that term as part of the objectives of the new Australian Social Inclusion Board.

Social Inclusion as an Objective Nan Bosler, ASCCA We are not going to examine the many facets of the Social Inclusion Agenda but concentrate on the aspects that concern and interest those of us who feel strongly that Adult informal learning is a key tool that benefits the whole community.

Social Inclusion as an Objective Nan Bosler, ASCCA What do you consider is a good definition of Adult Informal Learning?

Social Inclusion as an Objective Nan Bosler, ASCCA What is ASCCA? The National Peak Body for Seniors and Technology The National Peak Body for Seniors and Technology ASCCA is a Public Benevolent Institution Services are provided by volunteers to assist older and disabled Australians to access computer technology. It is run by seniors for seniors.

Social Inclusion as an Objective Nan Bosler, ASCCA Social Inclusion is an important platform on which to base the work we do. That ‘work’ has seen our organisation with a membership of clubs in every state of Australia and it is estimated that we have helped more than 122,000 seniors learn how to use technology.

Social Inclusion as an Objective Nan Bosler, ASCCA Digital Photography workshop at Canley Vale Digital Photography workshop at Canley Vale

Social Inclusion as an Objective Nan Bosler, ASCCA Peer supported learning is a powerful tool

Social Inclusion as an Objective Nan Bosler, ASCCA ASSCA includes those with a disability in their mandate

Social Inclusion as an Objective Nan Bosler, ASCCA Learning is a life-long experience and if a senior is motivated to use a computer and seeks the support and encouragement of peers at a Seniors Computer Club that person is highly likely to succeed with their lives enhanced accordingly.

Social Inclusion as an Objective Nan Bosler, ASCCA Our population is ageing and many older people are not computer literate and battle to use mobile phones. Surely they are suffering social exclusion by not being able to use technology. Technology is an element of social inclusion!

Social Inclusion as an Objective Nan Bosler, ASCCA E-Health is already impacting on our nation and will become a much greater feature in the management of our health as early discharge of patients and monitoring of their recovery at home with the help of technology becomes more usual.

Social Inclusion as an Objective Nan Bosler, ASCCA Indigenous elders can be helped to deal with generation gaps that are developing between them and younger family members if they can us technology enough to be able to use it as a bridge.

Social Inclusion as an Objective Nan Bosler, ASCCA When an older person cannot use modern technology that person is suffering social exclusion !

Social Inclusion as an Objective Nan Bosler, ASCCA As our theme for this conference is Social Inclusion – engaging the disengaged in life wide learning just who do you think can benefit from inclusion in our programs and plans?

Social Inclusion as an Objective Nan Bosler, ASCCA Is it someone from a culturally and diverse background? Is it someone from a culturally and diverse background? Is it an older person? Is it an older person? Is it a person with a disability? Is it a person with a disability? Is it someone with minimal finances? Is it someone with minimal finances? Have you another suggestion? Have you another suggestion?

Social Inclusion as an Objective Nan Bosler, ASCCA Can you identify several groups of people who you would consider to be socially excluded and could be included in your programs? Can you tell us of programs that have included members of these groups in the planning and delivery of programs?

Social Inclusion as an Objective Nan Bosler, ASCCA Can you share some case histories about the benefits you have observed when people who are usually considered socially isolated have been included in a program or event that you have organised? Can you share some case histories about the benefits you have observed when people who are usually considered socially isolated have been included in a program or event that you have organised? What do you think of big business, organisations even government agencies that haven’t considered the importance of consumers or end users on their councils and boards? Does it matter? Or is this clearly another form of social exclusion! What do you think of big business, organisations even government agencies that haven’t considered the importance of consumers or end users on their councils and boards? Does it matter? Or is this clearly another form of social exclusion!

Social Inclusion as an Objective Nan Bosler, ASCCA Can you identify several groups of people who you would consider to be socially excluded and could be included in your programs? Can you tell us of programs that have included members of these groups in the planning and delivery of programs? Can you share some case histories about the benefits you have observed when people who are usually considered socially isolated have been included in a program or event that you have organised? Can you share some case histories about the benefits you have observed when people who are usually considered socially isolated have been included in a program or event that you have organised? What do you think of big business, organisations even government agencies that haven’t considered the importance of consumers or end users on their councils and boards? Does it matter? Or is this clearly another form of social exclusion! What do you think of big business, organisations even government agencies that haven’t considered the importance of consumers or end users on their councils and boards? Does it matter? Or is this clearly another form of social exclusion!

Social Inclusion as an Objective Nan Bosler, ASCCA Monsignor David Cappo, South Australian Commissioner for Social Inclusion and Deputy Chair of the Australian Social Inclusion Board, claims that “Full participation is only possible when people feel valued, when their differences are respected and when their basic needs are met.”

Social Inclusion as an Objective Nan Bosler, ASCCA An international seminar, Women in motion for the right to education was held in Montevideo, Uruguay in June An international seminar, Women in motion for the right to education was held in Montevideo, Uruguay in June women from 19 different countries participated in this three-day seminar 40 women from 19 different countries participated in this three-day seminar Which defined strategies for participation at the Sixth UNESCO International Conference on Adult Education (CONFINTEA VI) in Brazil in May Which defined strategies for participation at the Sixth UNESCO International Conference on Adult Education (CONFINTEA VI) in Brazil in May 2009.

Social Inclusion as an Objective Nan Bosler, ASCCA Women in motion for the right to education

Social Inclusion as an Objective Nan Bosler, ASCCA CONFINTEA VI) will take place from 19 to 22 May 2009 in Belém, Brazil, under the overall title: “Living and Learning for a Viable Future – The Power of Adult Learning”. CONFINTEA VI) will take place from 19 to 22 May 2009 in Belém, Brazil, under the overall title: “Living and Learning for a Viable Future – The Power of Adult Learning”. Regional meetings are being held world wide to progress planning for this very important, once every 12 years opportunity. It is very embarrassing that Australia has not officially participated Regional meetings are being held world wide to progress planning for this very important, once every 12 years opportunity. It is very embarrassing that Australia has not officially participated

Social Inclusion as an Objective Nan Bosler, ASCCA I asked why Australia was not participating and the response I received explained: " “The priority being given to the Skilling Australia for the Future policy, the COAG Productivity and Participation Agenda and the Social Inclusion Agenda, will preclude Australia’s direct involvement in CONFINTEA VI, and its preliminary conference in South Korea. "

Social Inclusion as an Objective Nan Bosler, ASCCA We should be showing that Australia can be a world leader – particularly in the Asian Pacific region - by increasing our understanding while also helping other countries to better understand and embrace the value of Life Long Learning to help diminish social exclusion !

Social Inclusion as an Objective Nan Bosler, ASCCA The conference will be attended by official delegations from more than 100 countries but notably there will not be an official Australian delegation. What a wasted opportunity!

Social Inclusion as an Objective Nan Bosler, ASCCA You won’t waste any opportunities within your organisation will you?

Social Inclusion as an Objective Nan Bosler, ASCCA Do you consider that Social Inclusion should be an objective for every workshop, program and organisation? Do our organisations want to make a difference?

Social Inclusion as an Objective Nan Bosler, ASCCA What do you plan to do about it? Thank you Thank you View the word document of this presentation to find all appropriate referencing.