The Art of Belonging Conference Highlights 2015
As the world progresses with an abundance of economic and technological advances, are we at risk of losing the neighbourhood connections that sustain us?
Hugh Mackay was so concerned he wrote a book called The Art of Belonging! “We are not good at surviving in isolation”, he states. “We rely on communities to support and sus- tain us, and if those communities are to survive and prosper, we must engage with them and nurture them. That’s the beautiful symmetry of human society, we need communities and they need us.”
Even though belonging is an issue for all of us, the barriers for people with a disability are often amplified through negative attitudes, lack of employment, congregate care models and ‘special’ or separate places. This creates even deeper wedges of disconnection.
The conference will attract a wide range of people locally, nationally and internationally. This includes people with a disability, families, advocates, organisations, professionals and community members who are concerned about community, disability, diversity and belonging.