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As significant challenges persist — at home and abroad — social cohesion in Australia is under pressure and declining. How is the cost-of-living crisis contributing to this trajectory? And how might we respond to restore and strengthen social cohesion?
Australians demonstrated remarkable resilience during severe weather events and the COVID-19 pandemic. Although we remain connected, the most recent Scanlon Foundation Research Institute's Mapping Social Cohesion report revealed that social cohesion hit record lows in 2023 and economic and financial issues are a major contributor. For example, the report found that:
- more than 60% of Australians believe that economic and housing affordability issues are the most important problem in Australia
- almost 90% of Australians are concerned about a severe downturn in the global economy
- financial satisfaction continues to decline and financial pressures are imposing personal and family hardships (e.g. millions of Australians often or sometimes went without food or struggled to pay their rent or mortgage)
- single parent families and young adults are more likely to report feelings of financial stress, unhappiness, and isolation
This Folio Conversation with Anthea Hancocks will help us better understand the cost-of-living crisis, its impacts on social cohesion, and challenges and opportunities for creating a more cohesive and resilient society.
This event is part of a collection of events and curated content on the theme, The Price of Life. This theme explores the many dimensions of the increasing cost of living in Australia and abroad.
Conversation Leader
Anthea Hancocks is the CEO of the Scanlon Foundation and Scanlon Foundation Research Institute.
She brings an extensive background in community service, business development, education, communications, relationship and services marketing and strategy through senior leadership experience in private, government and not-for-profit organisations in Australia and the United States.
Anthea is also Chair of Welcoming Australia, Chair of the Monash Migration and Inclusion Centre, a Fellow of Monash University and Chair of the Huddle Advisory Committee, and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Event format
Online Folio Conversations are not like your normal webinar or panel discussion.
We bring Folio members and guests — from different sectors, disciplines, occupations, and backgrounds — into connected conversation with leading thinkers and doers from Australia and abroad.
We prioritise interactive dialogue between our Conversation Leader and all attendees. We follow the Chatham House Rule to promote open, honest, and inclusive dialogue.
Folio Conversations are an open invitation to better understand the issues, each other, and the world around us. We encourage all attendees to bring their curiosity and actively listen and share their perspectives and experiences.
