About

“ It’s not about me, it’s all about we “

Vision

As a call to action to create a more caring and inclusive society, the National Street Party concept is simple: to provide the inspiration and framework to encourage influencers within their own communities to host a ‘street party’ or social gathering in order to connect local people and foster a sense of community.

The concept aims to provide the impetus for groups, clubs, institutions, organisations, and charities of all sizes to host their own annual events, accessible to all levels of the community.

The National Street Party is about connection, caring, inclusion and celebration. It aims to establish a sense of community by inspiring individuals and groups to look beyond their own ‘backyards’ and engage with those around them. It aims to inspire communities to come together, connect and care for each other. Its accessibility and simplicity give the National Street Party the potential to become an iconic Australian brand in the future.

In response to the continued fragmentation of communities and rising concerns regarding social exclusion, the Australian Government, under the direction of Deputy Prime Minister, The Hon. Julia Gillard MP, is looking to develop a National Action Plan and policies to address issues of Social Inclusion. www.socialinclusion.gov.au

However, engaging and building connections between communities is largely dependent on the people in those communities themselves. Policies can help drive change but it is people who create communities. Research shows that most individuals wish to engage more with their communities, but often don’t know how, or don’t have the opportunity to do so.

Drawing upon his passion for social justice and experience in connecting people through music, Dr Jonathon Welch AM devised the concept of Social Inclusion Week and the National Street Party. Social Inclusion Week is a vehicle for communities to share their knowledge and experience through awareness raising and education, whilst the National Street Party is the celebratory event, encouraging communities to join together and engage with each other in an informal and fun atmosphere, promoting communication, dialogue and connectedness. Through the National Street Party it is hoped that lasting relationships can be built between groups of people who might not often interact, in the process developing knowledge, acceptance and understanding between people of differing cultures, backgrounds, preferences and life circumstances.

Whilst Social Inclusion Week aims to provide a more in-depth educational forum, the National Street Party is a call to action; differentiated by its desire to encourage groups of people right across Australia to join together and have fun at events created ‘by the community – for the community’.