About

Get involved. Get connected!

Vision

The National Street Party concept was created in 2009 as part of the inaugural Social Inclusion Week, as a way to encourage people within their own communities to host an event or social gathering to connect people and foster a real sense of community.

With 30 successful events taking place last year, from sausage sizzles and cricket matches, to market stalls and concerts, the National Street Party inspires individuals, groups, clubs, institutions, organisations, and charities of all sizes to host their own events, accessible to everyone in 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 is looking to develop a National Action Plan and policies to address issues of Social Inclusion. www.socialinclusion.gov.au

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 want 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.

The National Street Party aims to build lasting relationships 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. So Get involved. Get connected! during Social Inclusion Week 2010.