Walking through the city a few weeks ago, Michelle Williams and I were discussing the current paradigm of social innovation in Australia; a mindset that echoes the mentality of ‘charity’, where everyone seems focused on improving the lives of others.
Of course this is a completely worthwhile aim, but what gap is created when we don’t include ourselves in these social innovation solutions? And how many of the issues that we try to address through social innovation are actually systemic problems flowing from the manner in which we all live? Perhaps if the word ‘social’ became the focus of ‘social innovation’, it would become more apparent that these solutions shouldn’t simply become a bubble around a group identified as ‘in need’. Rather, they should be inclusive, holistic solutions that shift the underlying social norm, however slightly, thus improving life for all in the community. Continue reading
