Articles Archives - The Commons

icon of Malala Yousafzai with her quote - There's a moment where you have to decide whether to be silent or stand up.

Inspiring quotes from women leaders and activists

Over 40 quotes by inspiring women leaders and activists from Australia and around the world about leadership, diversity and the environment.

pencil drawing of a lightbulb with a question mark inside the bulb

Campaign Research 101

An introduction to the basics of campaign research for social change advocates. Campaign research helps you get the right message, in the right format, delivered by the right messengers, to the right audience through the right channels.

A collage of 6 images that relate to community organising including a photo of Saul Alinksy, and people protesting.

So, what is community organising?

Community organising is a way of building people power that focuses on building the capacity, skills and leadership of the people involved in making change. This article explains community organising and its history.

four people sitting at desk holding pens with hands on chins in a thinking stance

Organising deeply during crisis

Adele Neale, co-director of the Community Organising Fellowship, makes the case for deep listening and learning as part of organising during times of crisis, including the current pandemic.

Photograph of the front of Australian Parliament House. The front paving shows a pattern that echoes Aboriginal artwork. The building is white with a flag spier and visible Australian flag blowing in the wind.

Australian Parliament 101

Engaging with the 46th Parliament is a key part of working in the policy and advocacy sector of Australian not-for-profit organisations. Here’s some key details you should know.

Understanding Parliamentary Committees

An introduction to Australian Parliamentary Committees and ways advocates can navigate and utilise them. Includes a recording of a seminar presented by a Parliamentary Committee secretary.

Tips for Policy Writing

Policy writing is a key part of the work of not-for-profit individuals and organisations. Follow these tips to do it well.

illustration of laptop with hands punching in the air

State of Progressive Tech in Australia 2020

A 2020 survey of more than 50 organisations across the progressive movement about technology by the Progressive Tech Network Australia.

window with white curtains slightly open revealing a plant on the windowsill

Windows and cycles: How policy gets made

This article helps advocates understand and intervene in policymaking more effectively by understanding the two main models of policymaking.

linocut of silhouette of workers outside shut factory gates

Jim Munro and the Unemployed Workers Movement in the 1920s and 1930s

Jim Munro gives an account of how the Unemployed Workers Movement started and actions taken in the 1920s in Melbourne, Australia.

Two women lighting fire in stove in kitchen and cooking with pots and pans.

Squatting’s place in winning Emergency Housing, 1945-48

A talk about how the squatting of empty houses and military camps forced governments in Australia to provide emergency shelter in the 1940s.

Thousands of unemployed men march to the Treasury Buildings to confront Premier Sir James Mitchell 6 March 1931.

The 1931 Perth Treasury Building Riot – Unemployed workers during the Great Depression

Unemployed workers during the Great Depression, the repression they faced, and the protests and tactics they used to fight for their rights.

Citizen Generated Data: Toolkits and Guides

Useful guides from CIVICUS to learn how to gather information and data for a campaign using surveys, focus groups and interviews.

close up of two hands holding each other. The hands are from different ethnicities.

Participatory Policy Making

Facilitate the inclusion of individuals and groups in the design of policies via participatory means to achieve accountability and transparency.

birds eye view of someone sitting at a desk holding paper with graphs and typing on a tablet

How to do research

Research plays a crucial role in social change projects. Here’s a collection of useful guides to research from Skills You Need, including how to design research projects, gather data and analyse data.

Books about Women & Leadership

Five books recommended by participants and convenors of Women’s Environmental Leadership Australia. This list includes comprehensive discussions about women’s leadership, practical guides, and two memoirs from inspiring women leaders.

a collage of covers of films about women and social change

Films about Women & Social Change

An inspiring list of feature films and documentaries about women and social change including Women of Steel, Suffragette, Mission Blue, She’s Beautiful When She’s Angry and more.

illustration of a bee and flower with text 'organize for a better future'

What is Organizing?

An introduction to community organising by Marshall Ganz, a key thinker and educator in the field.

Leading Change: Leadership, Organization, and Social Movements

This chapter by Marshall Ganz, lecturer and activist, investigates social movement leadership and takes us through examples from history. He outlines Leadership Practices: Relationship, Story, Strategy, Action; Structuring Social Movements; and Leadership Development.

Why stories matter: The art and craft of social change

Marshall Ganz discusses narrative strategy, story of self & the importance of communicating values through stories in developing social movements.

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