Australians have become more and more uncomfortable about the growing gap between those  who have, and those who are without in our society. The Government is committed to promoting social inclusion and equality of opportunity and Australian corporations are expected to play a part. Our major corporations sponsor charities, schools and public institutions - for example, Westpac helps aboriginals achieve equality through the Cape York leadership centre.

Progressive businesses in Australia have been fighting the social exclusion and poverty suffered by too many people since Sidney Myer funded the building of the music bowl during the great depression.

Social exclusion can take many forms. Social exclusion is a short-hand label for what can happen when individuals or areas suffer from a combination of linked problems such as unemployment, poor skills, low incomes, poor housing, high crime environments, bad health and family breakdown. Its causes are connected, and its effects themselves become causes of further exclusion; for example, poverty is both a key cause of social exclusion and a key effect.

Corporations need strategies to increase participation in the labour market through training, fair wages and equal opportunities. There has to be respect for cultural differences in the way we develop services and programs for customers and staff from culturally diverse backgrounds. The non-profit sector also has a crucial role to play in this agenda.

Corporatesocialresponsibility.com.au has developed inclusion programs which comprise evidence-based targets  - social inclusion indicators that help us measure our effectiveness on the ground – allowing rapid appraisal so your organisation can put a policy in place, then refine and adjust it when that is necessary.