Blunkett sets out to change attitudes
10 November 2009
Left to right: Graeme Innes, Disability Discrimination Commissioner, Vision Australia CEO Gerard Menses, David Blunkett, Professor Ron McCallum, Vision Australia Deputy Chair, Peter Shergold, Centre for Social Impact, and former NSW Premier Nick Greiner.
Mr Blunkett is committed to "changing attitudes towards disability".
Former British Home Secretary David Blunkett, the Right Honourable David Blunkett, MP has begun his two-week Australian tour in Sydney by discussing his life and achievements as a person who is blind with media outlets.
In an article in The Australian (Blind David Blunkett continues crusade), Mr Blunkett said he is committed to "changing attitudes towards disability".
Mr Blunkett is touring Australia with his wife, Margaret. The visit has been organised by Vision Australia and the Australia and New Zealand School of Government.
So far he has attended a working lunch with the Disability Discrimination Commissioner, Graeme Innes, President of the Human Rights Commission, Catherine Branson, other Commission staff, Vision Australia CEO Gerard Menses and General Manager Policy and Advocacy Michael Simpson to discuss pressing local and international discrimination issues.
Mr Blunkett's keynote presentation at the Centre for Social Impact in Sydney was well received by a large crowd, which was largely comprised of Government and not-for profit representatives. He talked about, "mutual action, common purpose and empowering the third sector" and encouraged the charity sector to gather strength, work together and partner with Government in order to achieve its aims.
He also said that, curiously, members of social sector need to address their reluctance to work together in order to mobilise their joint energy. Mr Blunkett also referred to the challenges of globalisation and the ageing population as well as the importance of building individual capacity by giving those who require charitable services some degree of power and responsibility.
Mr Blunkett plans to address The Sydney Institute this week on why he believes the global meltdown hasn't lead to a resurgence of left-of-centre politics. He will then travel to Canberra with his wife, Margaret, as part of his two-week tour.