The ultimate objective of public policy is to improve people’s lives and wellbeing now, and into the future.
However there’s growing recognition that social change for individuals and communities is hard to achieve using the standard public policy process. What works in one place might not work elsewhere. Policy development needs to be appreciative of diverse local knowledge, flexible in its commissioning, and manage risks and variations.
Inspiring Communities has developed this practical seminar to explore how we can apply a community-led theory of change to the public policy process. How we can do this in a way that embraces a complex and radically uncertain world and value the knowledge and strengths that exist in communities.
Both our speakers wear more than one hat bringing multiple perspectives to this session. There will be plenty of time for questions as well as a panel discussion bringing in more perspectives from Professor Girol Karacaoglu Head Of School, School of Government, Victoria University and Catherine Williams, Deputy Commissioner, Integrity, Ethics and Standards, State Services Commission.
About our speakers
David Hanna is a National Manager of Inspiring Communities and also the Director of Wesley Community Action. David has worked as a national NGO youth director, a policy manager in Central Government, a consultant on youth development, a trainer in policy analysis and now a director at Wesley Community Action and national manager of Inspiring Communities. Key themes across his activities are bicultural /Treaty of Waitangi perspectives, systems/holistic action/thinking, positive child and youth development and grounding what we do in an authentic spirituality. David is a fourth generation Pākehā, a partner in a civil union, a father of four children.
Donna Provoost is Chair of Inspiring Communities and Director – Strategy, Rights & Advice at the Office for the Children’s Commissioner. Donna is an economist with over two decades of years of experience as a researcher, policy analyst and manager in the private and public sectors. Her professional work has centred on working for better outcomes for disadvantaged groups. She came to New Zealand from Canada in 2014, and she has worked in several government agencies in the social sector. She is active in her local community, including being a member of the school board of trustees. Donna lives with her husband and daughter in Wainuiomata.