Andrew Chalk - Recovering Hope: Why Developed Countries Also Need GK

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GK Enchanted Farm - Bulacan, Philippines
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Recovering hope: Why developed countries also need GK

Andrew Chalk GK Australia
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GK A universal template for addressing poverty and alienation? A perspective from Australia
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Addressing severe disadvantage in Australia 1. What is the problem 2. Why GK is the solution 3. How we propose to do it
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Australia - Background
A rich country one of the highest GDPs per capita in the world Stable democracy Successful multi cultural society Universal health care and education to highest standards Vibrant cultural, recreational and sporting life Good equality of opportunity
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The situation of Indigenous Australians

Many Indigenous Australians suffer gross poverty and despair; not only as individuals but as whole communities. Health Employment/ income Education Housing Crime and violence
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Factors contributing to the situation Historic

Colonisation and loss of land; Long history of discrimination and exclusion; Remote locations; Cultural factors; History of welfare dependency and government control;
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Sense of victimhood, alienation and despair; Internal conflict. 14

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Efforts to address the disadvantage

Since late 1960s concerted efforts by successive governments to address the disadvantage. While there are some great individual success stories, at a communal level generally the situation has not improved and in many instances has deteriorated. Resources and technical support are not lacking. The Australian government currently spends over $4 Billion per annum addressing Indigenous disadvantage. 15
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Why GK, as a model of community development, will work.

A radical commitment to love; A radical commitment to honour.
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GKs starting principle is that until people believe in their own dignity and capacity to contribute for good, no amount of resources or technical support will overcome their alienation. The pain is in the heart more than the pocket. GK commits to the person and the community without seeking anything in return. The quality of this commitment is the secret of its success.
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When people have a sense that they are loved, it becomes much easier for them to respond to and engage in other measures which will improve quality of life. The quality of GKs love and how that is formed in the volunteer care groups and in the supported communities is everything. There can be no development without values to underpin it. These values must reflect the highest desires of the people and they can be taught. Volunteers make better teachers than paid officials. This care and love is universal and beyond culture.
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What Values does GK put in play
Servant leadership first to serve last to benefit; No-one gets left behind; No-one is so poor that they have nothing to give; Relationships are more important than resources; There is no exit plan; GK never leaves nor never gives up.
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What aspects are most relevant to Australia

Its community organising and values formation; not house building. Its self-reliance as a community where governments become partners rather than benefactors and controllers. Its relationships with the wider society leading to partnerships that support development that is eventually self sustaining; fundamentally GK provides a platform for convergence. 21
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How will we do it in Australia

1. Seeing is believing we have the GK communities in Philippines as proof.
Immersion trips for communities that have all but given up hope. Young leader programs in the Philippines in conjunction with future volunteers.
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Building the relationships

Building relationships with communities over time; this is already well underway in one community in central New South Wales.
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Building the Relationships (cont.)

Expand the engagement with partnerships involving: Schools; Universities; Civic organisations; Corporations; Churches Other Indigenous organisations All trained in the GK approach
3. The Work
Fundamental focus on community organising; Neighbourhood beautification Housing repair and improvement Community facilities construction Child development programs Home ownership programs Gardens and food production
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The Work (cont.)

Adult literacy programs Student homework programs Employment and training programs Finance schemes Mental and physical health programs
The resources are available for all of these programs; it is creating the motivation to engage them and on terms where the community has some real say in how they are delivered.
GK as Enabler
GK can empower communities to take these steps and can provide them with the partners to support them in the process. GK becomes a facilitator in creating the platform for convergence; the platform for development.
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Frank and Bai True GK Heroes

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Andrew Chalk - Recovering Hope: Why Developed Countries Also Need GK

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Page 1

Recovering hope: Why developed countries also need GK

The situation of Indigenous Australians

Factors contributing to the situation Historic

Sense of victimhood, alienation and despair; Internal conflict. 14

Efforts to address the disadvantage

Why GK, as a model of community development, will work.

What Values does GK put in play

GK Enchanted Farm - Bulacan, Philippines

What aspects are most relevant to Australia

How will we do it in Australia

Building the relationships

Building the Relationships (cont.)

GK Enchanted Farm - Bulacan, Philippines

The Work (cont.)

Frank and Bai True GK Heroes

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