A Victorian Conference on Community Development
We invite all engaged in community-based and community-oriented work to join us in Footscray, Naarm/Melbourne, for a much-needed gathering on Community Development (CD). After what feels like a hibernation for CD practitioners, this is our chance to reconnect, share stories, and reaffirm our commitment to working with communities—not just for or ‘to’ them.
Why is this conference necessary?
Because in a time of intersecting crises—ecological collapse, political discord, rising inequality, and increasing social disconnection—community development is more critical than ever. The dominant systems of late-stage capitalism push top-down solutions that sideline genuine participation. Meanwhile, communities face relentless challenges: cost-of-living pressures, attacks on diversity and inclusion, amplified anxieties, and growing isolation.
But alongside these struggles, we see resistance, solidarity, and renewed efforts to rebuild relationships, reclaim agency, and care for one another and the natural world. This gathering is about strengthening that hope. It’s a space for deep conversations, radical ideas, and meaningful connections. A space for regeneration!
Where?
Set in Footscray, a place rich with Aboriginal history, working-class resilience, and migrant activism, this conference is an opportunity to learn, contribute, and build momentum for a more just and sustainable future. Join us as we recommit to the practice of developing community—together.
When?
- Thursday 16 October 2025 – 6.30pm – 9.00pm (Opening event– max 200 attendees)
- Friday 17 October 2025 – 9.00am – 5.00pm (Conference day 1 – max 120 attendees)
- Saturday 18 October 2025 – 9.00am – 3.00pm (Conference day 2 – max 120 attendees)
This conference is a call for participation to:
- Active citizens – activists, community leaders and volunteers
- Students of Community Development
- Advocacy groups and lived experience advocates
- Practitioners, policy makers, researchers and academics in the CD, policy and social impact space
- Neighbourhood Houses and Centres
- Community and NFP sector
- Local government practitioners
- Public and Community Health sector
- Community arts sector and artists
- Cooperatives and social enterprise sector
We will explore these themes and anything else participants bring in:
- Community development values, principles and practice
- Power, privilege and social justice
- Diversities, intersectionality and inequality
- First Nations, self-determination and de-colonised futures
- Ecology and regeneration
- Rural and regional communities
- Neighbourhoods and community
- Economy, inequality and wellbeing
- Healing, health and wellbeing
Call for participation!
Whether you bring a formal paper, a workshop, a lightning talk, a panel discussion, a yarning circle, a performance, a poster display or stall holder, all contributions are welcome—especially those that provoke, inspire, and challenge.