Voices of Australia

S1 E12 | The current state of social cohesion with Dr. James O’Donnell

In the final episode of the first series of the Voices of Australia podcast, Dr. James O'Donnell shares his insights on the current state of social cohesion in Australia. A lecturer at the Australian National University, Dr. O'Donnell is the author of the 2022 Mapping Social Cohesion Report.In this episode, we chat with James about:
Why he transitioned from working as a labour market economist to a career studying social cohesion.
What the key findings from 2022 mapping social cohesion report tell us about Australia today.
The key trends that make James optimistic about the future of social cohesion in Australia.
What we as a society should pay attention to in 2023.
Voices of Australia is a Scanlon Foundation Research Institute podcast exploring all things interesting in the world of social cohesion. You can find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.Want to contribute to the conversation? Send us your reflections and comments to: info@scanloninstitute.org.auYou can also Tweet us @Scanlon_Inst
 
Meet our guest: Dr James O'Donnell
Dr. James O’Donnell is a Lecturer at Australian National University’s School of Demography within the College of Arts and Social Science.
James is currently working on the School of Demography’s ANU Social Cohesion project. This project involves researchers from disciplines across the University working to measure and analyse social cohesion within neighbourhoods and communities across Australia.
James is the winner of The Australian Population Association’s 2014 WD Borrie Prize and was awarded a PhD in Demography in 2019.
He was recently the author of the 2022 Mapping Social Cohesion Report published by the Scanlon Foundation Research Institute.

S1 E11 | Philanthropy’s role in building social cohesion with Vedran Drakulic OAM

On the eleventh episode of the Voices of Australia podcast, Vedran Drakulić helps us navigate the relationship between philanthopy and social cohesion. Vedran Drakulić OAM is the CEO of Gandel Foundation, one of the largest private family foundations in Australia.In this episode, we chat with Vedran about:
How Vedran's career began as a fixer for Sports Illustrated magazine at the Sarajevo '84 winter Olympics.
Vedran's story of settling his family in Australia.
The challenge of paternalism and the saviour syndrome in not-for-profit sectors.
The cultural shifts taking place in the philanthropic space.
The importance of organisational listening and when to accept you're not the expert.
Voices of Australia is a Scanlon Foundation Research Institute podcast exploring all things interesting in the world of social cohesion. You can find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.Want to contribute to the conversation? Send us your reflections and comments to: info@scanloninstitute.org.auYou can also Tweet us @Scanlon_Inst
 
Meet our guest: Vedran Drakulić
Vedran Drakulić OAM is the CEO of Gandel Foundation, one of the largest private family foundations in Australia. Vedran was born and raised in Bosnia and left Sarajevo while it was under siege, in 1995. During the conflict, he served with the Red Cross as a logistics officer, interpreter and press officer. He worked on both sides of the frontline, providing humanitarian assistance to those in need. Since arriving in Australia as a refugee, Vedran has remained a true humanitarian, committed to promoting social justice and social cohesion. He has spent more than 15 years working in communications, marketing, and fundraising in the humanitarian sector, with Red Cross in Australia and overseas, and with Oxfam Australia, followed by a senior role in the corporate sector and then philanthropy. Vedran is a proud “Bossie” (Bosnian Aussie) and is committed to giving back to his community. He actively supports many community organisations, including the Vinnies’ CEO Sleepout, where in the past eight years, he individually raised over $1 million for their homelessness programs. Vedran received the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2017 for his service to the community
 
 

S1 E10 | Navigating culture in the workplace with Professor Nareen Young

'Organisations don't do things because it's the nice thing to do...change happens when we put pressure on.'In this episode of the Voices of Australia podcast, Professor Nareen Young helps us navigate how Australian workplaces can become more diverse and inclusive. Nareen is Professor for Indigenous Policy and Indigenous Workforce Diversity at the Jumbunna Institute at the University of Technology Sydney.  In this episode, Nareen sheds some light on:
How forces like BLM and D&I have impacted workplaces across the globe.
Why young people are pushing the dial on social issues.
The inadequacies of current D&I practices and frameworks
Why corporate Australia still has an issue with tokenism and stereotyping.
The need for middle management to show initiative in their advocacy for inclusion.
 
Meet our guest: Nareen Young
 
Professor Nareen Young is one of Australia’s leading and most respected workplace diversity practitioners and thinkers. Professor for Indigenous Policy at the UTS Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research, Nareen leads Jumbunna's highly innovative Indigenous People and Work Research and Practice Hub. Professor Young has previously led and managed two diversity peak bodies (Diversity Council Australia and NSW Working Women’s Centre). She has also worked as the Director and Employment Lead at PwC’s Indigenous Consulting for three years. She is influenced by both her Indigenous and culturally diverse heritages in this work and has received numerous awards and acknowledgements, including the inaugural Westpac 100 Women of Influence honour for diversity.
Nareen is an author of Gari Yala (Speak the Truth): Centering the experiences of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Australians at work, which is said to be the largest survey of the experiences of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people at work published.

S1 E9 | Olympian Peter Bol on the power of sport

'I don't need to copy the Jamaicans...I just need to be myself. When you're trying too hard to be someone else, it takes so much energy.'Have you wondered what it might feel like to run 800m at the Olympics for your country? Would you believe us if we told you that superstar Peter Bol considers himself an introvert?In this episode of the Voices of Australia podcast, Olympian Peter Bol helps us explore the role sport plays in fostering social cohesion. Peter shares stories about his family's journey to Australia, running in an Olympic final, and becoming the fastest Australian 800m athlete in history.In this episode, we chat with Peter about:
How the decision to leave basketball allowed him to travel the world and experience new cultures through athletics.
Making a career in sports when your family pushes you towards education.
The inspiration that drove him to be the fastest in his school, state, and then country.
The role sport plays in helping migrants navigate their identity.
Voices of Australia is a Scanlon Foundation Research Institute podcast exploring all things interesting in the world of social cohesion. You can find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.Want to contribute to the conversation? Send us your reflections and comments to: info@scanloninstitute.org.auYou can also Tweet us @Scanlon_Inst
 
Meet our guest: Peter Bol
Peter Bol was born in Khartoum to a Sudanese mother and a South Sudanese father. After traveling through Eygpt at the age of 4, Peter and his family first arrived in Toowoomba when he was 8, before finally settling in Perth. Peter captured the hearts of Australia in the Tokyo Olympics by finishing 4th in the men’s 800m final where he was watched by over 2 and a half million people and produced the best result by an Australian male in an individual track event since 1988. It is not a surprise then that this was the most-watched event of the Tokyo Olympics. Ranked 19th going into Tokyo, Peter set the national record in his heat, and then won his semi-final in another national record time of 1:44.11. This year Peter won his third consecutive national 800m title and become the first-ever Australian to qualify for a world championship final in the 800m. And, of course, most recently, Peter won silver at the Birmingham Olympic Games. On and off the track, Peter is an extraordinary athlete, an accomplished public speaker, and has recently taken on the role of Ambassador for the community organisation, Youth Activating Youth.
 

S1 E8 | Diversity and representation in media with Mariam Veiszadeh

The media provides a major avenue for working through debates about social issues and the values of Australian society in the public sphere. But there is a fine line between facilitating debate and causing division.
CEO of Media Diversity Australia, Mariam Veiszadeh joins us on the podcast to explore the critical relationship between social cohesion and the media in Australia.
 
Guest biography
Mariam Veiszadeh is an award winning human rights advocate, lawyer, diversity and inclusion practitioner, contributing author and media commentator.
Mariam was most recently an Executive Director at Diversity Council of Australia, founded the Islamophobia Register Australia, and has held multiple board positions.
She has delivered a TEDxSydney talk advocating for greater cultural diversity, was featured as an Anti-Racism Champion by the Australian Human Rights Commission and currently sits on the Commission’s Expert Advisory Group for the Workplace Cultural Diversity Tool as well their Multicultural Advisory Group. Mariam has worked as radio commentator for the ABC radio and as a columnist for Fairfax media.
With many accolades to her name including the Fairfax Daily Life 2016 Woman of the year, the 2015 Westpac Woman of Influence and Welcoming Australia Life Member Award in 2021, Mariam is renowned for influencing positive change both in the workplace and in society more broadly.
Mariam was born in Afghanistan and came to Australia in 1990 with her family as a refugee.

S1 E7 | How to create an inclusive political system with Dr. Marija Taflaga

What does a genuinely inclusive political system really look like?
Joining the podcast to help us unpack this question is Dr. Marija Taflaga, a lecturer in the School of Politics and International Relations and co-host of the Democracy Sausage Podcast.In this episode we ask Dr. Taflaga:
What is political participation and why is it important to social cohesion and our democracy?
What insights can we draw on from the 2022 Federal election and the rise of independents?
Should political leaders change the way they engage with cultural communities?
What impact do political campaigns and advertising have on social cohesion?
 
Guest Biography
 
Dr Marija Taflaga is the Director of The Australian National University (ANU) Centre for the Study of Australian Politics and a lecturer in the ANU School of Politics and International Relations. Her research area covers Australian political history and systems and the relationship between the executive and parliament.Recently, she has begun researching the career paths of political elites to better understand how previous related political experience impacts prospective politicians’ overall success in elected politics.Marija is also the co-host of Democracy Sausage podcast which covers Australian Politics.

S1 E6 | Multiculturalism and Social Cohesion - Are they the same thing? with Aleem Ali

What is the relationship between social cohesion and concepts such as multiculturalism?
Joining us in this episode is the CEO of Welcoming Australia, Aleem Ali to help us unpack the concepts of social cohesion and multiculturalism and discuss how Australia can become a more welcoming society. 

S1 E5 | What impacts Social Cohesion? with Ro Allen

'A cohesive society doesn't box people into one identity.'Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Office Commissioner, Ro Allen, joins hosts, Anthea Hancocks and Lydia Tesema on the podcast. In this episode we discuss:
How fear and ignorance prevent an inclusive society.
How Ro's experiences in the church helped shape their commitment to social justice.
The need to better appreciate intersectionality and the burden of continually asking communities to educate others about their culture.
How to leverage your privilege without being patronising.
Want to contribute to the conversation? Send us your reflections and comments to: info@scanloninstitute.org.auYou can also Tweet us @Scanlon_Inst
 
Guest Biography: Ro Allen
Ro Allen is the Commissioner at the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission.
A longstanding advocate for LGBTIQ Victorians and has held leadership positions in the community and government sectors. [Ro has been a member of three Victorian Government LGBTI ministerial advisory groups and chaired the ministerial advisory committee on LGBTI Health and Wellbeing between 2007 and 2009.
As founding CEO of UnitingCare Cutting Edge, Ro established Victoria’s first rural support group for young LGBTI people, giving Ro a deep understanding of the issues faced in rural and regional areas.
Ro has been recognised for extensive community service and is the recipient of a Centenary Medal in 2003 and in 2009 was inducted into the Victorian Government Honour Roll.

S1 E4 | How to strengthen social cohesion with Vivienne Nguyen AM and Hanad Hersi

How can decision-makers empower communities? What do we gain from better appreciating our shared interests and aspirations?
Joining us in the fourth episode of the Voices of Australia Podcast, Victorian Multicultural Commission Chairperson Vivienne Nguyen and Youth Activating Youth Programs Manager Hanad Hersi help us reflect on what strengthens social cohesion within and between communities.In this episode we cover:
The key blocks to building new migrant communities in Australia.
Why sport is a common second language in Australia and the time Hanad’s mum ran onto the street to celebrate that famous John Aloisi penalty ⚽
The roles safety and identity play in social cohesion.
The lessons Vivienne and Hanad learnt from working on the ground during the public housing hard lockdowns in 2020.
Voices of Australia is a Scanlon Foundation Research Institute podcast exploring all things interesting in the world of social cohesion.We’d love to hear from you! Send in your questions, comments, or suggestions for future episodes to info@scanloninstitute.org.auYou can also Tweet us @Scanlon_Inst
 
Guests Biographies
 
Vivienne Nguyen - Chairperson, Victorian Multicultural Commission
For over 25 years Viv has been a leader in corporate, community and government settings, applying her business knowledge and technical expertise to work with community organisations to advance their social objectives. She held executive roles at AustChoice Financial Services, AMP Asset Management and ANZ Banking Group, where she led their global diversity strategy. At the community level, Viv led the Vietnamese Community in Australia’s Victorian Chapter from 2015 to 2019, where she ran the Vietnamese Australian Museum Project and strengthened the Dual Identity Leadership Program.
In 2002, Viv was inducted into the Victorian Honour Roll for advocating for women’s leadership and supporting young Vietnamese people. In 2003, she was awarded the Australian Centenary Medal and in 2021 was awarded the Australian Order in the AM division for advancing multicultural Victoria.
Hanad Hersi - Programs Manager, Youth Activating Youth
Hanad Hersi a youth advocate, works tirelessly to ensure that young people from diverse backgrounds have access to opportunities and are given the resources they need to prosper and lead fulfilled lives.
Hanad became interested in social services because of his love of travelling. For the past five years, Hanad, a grassroots community advocate, has worked to ensure that the voices of diverse community groups are heard, valued, and included in decision-making processes. Hanad has worked in the development and youth engagement space.
A member of the VMC's regional advisory council, Hanad collaborates with community organisations, councils, and businesses to promote multiculturalism and increase social cohesion.
Programs Manager at Youth Activating Youth, Hanad spends his days working with vulnerable young people who are at risk of disengaging from the education system, or who are at risk of coming in contact with the criminal justice system

S1 E3 | What does social cohesion look like? with Professor Kate Reynolds & Fred Alale

What does it look like when people trust others, feel like they belong, and participate in their community? Are these the only ways to understand social cohesion?
Joining us in the third episode of the Voices of Australia Podcast, Professor Kate Reynolds and Fred Alale help us reflect on what we mean when we strive for a cohesive society.In this episode we discuss:
 How a quick google search helped convince Fred Alale to move to Australia.
Social cohesion as an outcome of great intergroup relations.
Why it’s sometimes easier to understand social cohesion by examining workplaces and sports teams.
The role individual identity and experiences play on social cohesion.
The new phase of Australia’s ‘integration’ journey post-covid.
Voices of Australia is a Scanlon Foundation Research Institute podcast exploring all things interesting in the world of social cohesion.You can find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
 
Guest Bios
Professor Kate Reynolds
Kate Reynolds is a Professor of Psychology at the Australian National University (ANU). Her research addresses group processes and intergroup relations and it is informed by a social identity perspective. She is interested in broad research questions about the impact of groups and group norms on individuals’ attitudes, well-being and behaviour. Kate has published over 100 journal articles, book chapters and co-edited book volumes and her research has appeared in highly regarded scientific journals and has received attention from the media. She is currently involved in a large scale inter-disciplinary study on social cohesion, diversity and integration, which looks to better understand social cohesion and how to strengthen it by working closely with public policy, social and business enterprises, local government and community organisationsFred Alale Director, Policy, High Risk Industries Operations at Department of Justice and Community Safety, VictoriaFred Alale is a public service senior professional with over 20 years policy, project management and system-wide improvement experience across the public and private sectors (including Big 4 Management Consulting – EY, KPMG & Deloitte) in Australia and the UK. He is currently working as part of Victorian government efforts to keep Victorian businesses compliant with the Public Health Officer Directions as a Director, Policy and Enforcement Review Office.Fred is also active within the African Australian communities where he serves on a number of Boards including, Chair of the African Music and Cultural Festival and the Treasurer of Africa Day Australia Incorporated. He is also a member of the Government’s Victorian African Communities Action Plan (VACAP) implementation committee.