About us
The Institute for Human Security and Social Change (the Institute) works for inclusive social change - positive change for all.
Our work is practice-based. We aim to learn from practice, share that learning in Australia and internationally, and to inform practice by bringing to bear the latest thinking in international development and social change.
We do this through research and support of social change initiatives, teaching, training and outreach.
We believe that addressing complex problems in ways which contribute to systemic change requires new practices and different relationships. Directly addressing cultural and gender diversity, race and power dynamics is central to our way of working.
We work with a wide range of individuals, organisations and networks that are involved in social change with a particular but not exclusive focus on Indigenous Australia and the Pacific.
Rather than provide one-off services, we strive to build long term relationships on the basis of equity, mutual respect and solidarity. We aim to be a trusted and critical friend to our partners. These relationships allow us to interact with our partners at multiple levels, to make space for dialogue and debate and generate on-going two-way learning.
We can support our partners through a combination of: action research; monitoring, evaluation and learning; research design and management; thinking and working politically, adaptive programming; coalition building, and partnership brokering.
We take a developmental approach in providing these supports which promotes partner ownership and control, amplifies the voices of people projects are designed to benefit and builds partner and participant capacity.
If you are interested in working with us, then please contact Yeshe Smith at Y.Smith@latrobe.edu.au.