Description

Our Watch’s local government community of practice is a national community of practice aimed at expanding the values, knowledge and skills of people that work to promote gender equality and prevent violence against women in their current role in local government. 

In a respectful and inclusive space, this community of practice aims to promote: 

• connection and collaboration 
• continued peer-learning on topics related to the Change the story framework 
• sharing and reflection on the enablers and barriers to primary prevention of violence practice.  

This community of practice will build on foundational knowledge to equip participants with the tools and confidence required to implement primary prevention actions in places that they live, work, learn, socialise and play.  

Who can participate?

The Local Government community of practice is ideal for people who have a working knowledge of the gendered drivers of violence. Ideally, participants will have some prior knowledge of Our Watch’s Change the story framework. 

Whether you have a dedicated role in violence prevention within local government or you work in an affiliated role, the local government community of practice will complement your practice. Areas that are relevant are:

• community development
• community safety
• human resources
• sport and recreation
• children and family services
• libraries
• social policy
• planning
• aged and disability
• diversity and inclusion.

How will the program run?

Two co-facilitators from Our Watch will coordinate and support an online community of practice over 4 online sessions. Each session will run for 90 minutes, with topics for discussion being guided by participants themselves.  

Broadly, topics covered will be a selection of the following: 

• techniques for effective practice  
• settings and methods for primary prevention  
• addressing resistance and backlash  
• intersectionality in practice  
• working with men and boys in prevention  
• healing and trauma-informed approaches 
• community and collective care 
• gender transformative change  
• Our Watch frameworks and tools, including Change the story, Changing the picture, Changing the landscape and Men in focus.

The community of practice sessions will be facilitated through a combination of online learning and collaboration methods, including: 

• group discussions 
• resource-sharing spaces 
• facilitated reflective practice 
• activities informed by adult learning principles.

Session dates and times

• 27 July 2023, 1-2:30 pm AEST
• 26 September 2023, 1-2:30 pm AEST
• 22 November 2023, 12-1:30 pm AEST/1-2:30 pm AEDT
• 13 February 2024, 12-1:30 pm AEST/1-2:30 pm AEDT

Expressions of interest are open. To apply, click the ‘Apply now’ button at the top or bottom of this page.

Your expression of interest will be considered and we aim to advise you if you are successful at least a week prior to the first community of practice session.