Participation in social, economic and civic life should be open to everybody. It is important to the wellbeing and prosperity of individuals, families and communities. Exclusion can mean loss of access to services, to supportive networks and to opportunities for skills and jobs, leading to poverty, poor health status, and low productivity. Social exclusion is not only a social issue but an economic issue as well.

Increasing social inclusion requires a joined-up approach that cuts across policy departments. The public sector should re-think the way it operates, moving from a traditional hierarchical model to one characterised by multi-sectoral partnerships and flexibility in policy delivery.

These topics will be discussed at this conference co-organised by the Centre for Public Policy at the University of Melbourne, the Victorian Department of Planning and Community Development and the OECD LEED Programme within the framework of the OECD LEED Forum on Partnerships and Local Governance.

Confirmed Keynote Speakers and Panelists include:

• The Honourable Steve Maharey, Vice-Chancellor of Massey University;
• The Honourable Joan Kirner, Former Victorian Premier, Victorian Communities Ambassador;
• Sylvain Giguere, Deputy Head, Local Economic and Employment Development, OECD;
• Professor Mark Considine, Dean, Faculty of Arts, University of Melbourne;
• Monsignor David Cappo, Vice-Chair, Australian Social Inclusion Board;
• Cath Smith, CEO, Victorian Council of Social Service;
• David Waterford, Executive Director, Social Inclusion Unit South Australia.

For more information go straight to the conference website: http://www.public-policy.unimelb.edu.au/conference08/

For any further question, please do not hesitate to contact
Dr Lauren Rosewarne lrose@unimelb.edu.au
Centre Manager / Lecturer in Policy Studies
Centre for Public Policy, University of Melbourne 3010
Phone : 03 8344 9482 / Fax : 03 9349 4442 / 0422 484 593