Halfway point for the Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015 a comprehensive blueprint was outlined by all United Nations member states to build a world where we could all thrive, known as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s). The 17 goals were an urgent call for action, centred on calling on global partnership to address these challenging goals worldwide.  This weekend marks the half-way mark for the goals at the SDG summit. While we are a small not-for-profit, we still believe in making worldwide impact so that all people can flourish. Our approach to working with communities focusses on place-based approaches to building community partnerships (with our community media expertise) so we align strongly with the SDGs. In partnership with WickedLab, we recently conducted a contribution analysis of our HCR projects in Australia and then wider with our HCR family around the world (with our global partners Amplifying Voices) to analyse what goals we are working towards collectively in all our projects.

As highlighted, we are working across majority of the goals, however, global partnerships remain key for all our projects. Working together is how we aim to help build healthier communities for all. We look forward to the re-alignment of the global goals during the upcoming summit and call on more global partnership so all can thrive around the world.

Meeka Wellbeing Stories

By Celeste Larkins

Last year, we spent some time in Meekatharra working with the community to develop local radio and video messages around what locals do to stay mentally healthy. The project was led by the Shire of Meekatharra, funded by the WA Primary Health Alliance. We met with a range of local people from Shire workers to the local dog walking group, among others. The Meekatharra Shire recently launched the videos through their social media channels and can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/@theshireofmeekatharra7054

The local newspaper also did a write up on the project which you can read here!

Sam & Jo, Meekatharra locals, share how they stay mentally healthy.

Building positive culture

By Dane Waters

Over the summer break I was provided with an opportunity to participate in some extremely valuable extended governance training. One of the key learnings was the importance of good culture in organisations, which is set by leadership. As someone who works as a community development practitioner aiming to help build healthier communities with community media, building positive culture is core business, so it was encouraging to see that filter into the business world. 

Definition: culture:  the ideas, customs and social behaviours of a community

So, what happens when the cultural social norms of a community are not positive? As a practitioner who advocates for building from the grass roots up, is there a role to speak/ advocate for positive change, particularly if this is not coming directly from the grass roots level?

I am privileged with education and consider it a tool that I can help use to support communities. Sometimes this means helping directly educate and challenge harmful social norms. While it’s not a naturally comfortable role for me, we definitely have a role to play if the system is not enabling healthy communities. Community media is a wonderful tool for these important discussions on positive social norms and we will continue to help communities continue the discussions and build positive culture. #learning