Civic Imagination Network

What is Civic Imagination?

Our shared civic imagination is the seed bed for all that can be in our democracy, in our society, in our economy. All that we can campaign for, fight for, must begin with what we can imagine to be possible.

Our shared civic imagination is the seed bed for all that can be in our democracy, in our society, in our economy. All that we can campaign for, fight for, must begin with what we can imagine to be possible.

Our civic imagination gives form to hope. It helps us go from an abstract to a concrete vision for a better future, from a vague sense of a more sustainable or equal or empowering or inclusive world, to something that we have words for, and can describe the shape or feeling of. Something we can chart a course towards.

Our civic imagination gives form to hope. It helps us go from an abstract to a concrete vision for a better future, from a vague sense of a more sustainable or equal or empowering or inclusive world, to something that we have words for, and can describe the shape or feeling of. Something we can chart a course towards.

Civic imagination isn’t just about what we perceive as possible outside ourselves: it’s also about the capacity to see our own selves as empowered agents, citizens and not consumers or voters. That we are all in this together, in collaboration and not in competition, and that great change is possible when we have common purpose.

Civic imagination isn’t just about what we perceive as possible outside ourselves: it’s also about the capacity to see our own selves as empowered agents, citizens and not consumers or voters. That we are all in this together, in collaboration and not in competition, and that great change is possible when we have common purpose.

What is the Civic Imagination Network?

What is the Civic Imagination Network?

The Civic Imagination Network cultivates our capacity to imagine and implement alternatives to the cultural, political, and economic conditions we live in today. It renews the Australian public discourse and transforms how we see ourselves as citizens. The Network expands the spectrum of policy options through policy translation, community engagement and media campaigns.

The Civic Imagination Network inspires citizens and connects researchers, purpose-led organisations, advocates, activists and community groups to collectively reimagine the pathways open to us to co-create a more hopeful Australia.

Firstly, the project aims to transform the way Australians see ourselves: as generous, courageous and empowered to shape the future. The project celebrates Australia’s history of leadership in social policy. Through media interventions backed by research and dynamic, engaging public events, this project seeks to spark a shift in the discourse about our responsibility to each other and the planet, and to enable more active forms of citizenship.

Through the Network, representatives of civil society, academia and community can engage in an open and exploratory environment to add global context and diversity to the policy solutions under consideration by governments. Through online and live events, discussion papers aligned with media campaigns, and targeted community advocacy, innovative proposals will be seeded in the public discourse and elevated to the political agenda.

Secondly, the project aims to expand Australia’s policy options in addressing the critical issues of our time. While brilliant scientists, innovators, and advocates are developing solutions to today’s inclusion, equality and sustainability challenges, they lack forums to translate these to an informed public discourse.

Launched in 2023, and engaging with member organisations now, the Civic Imagination Network inspires citizens and connects researchers, purpose-led organisations, advocates, activists and community groups to collectively reimagine what we value, the pathways open to us, and what role we can play in a more hopeful Australia.

Why do we need an expanded Civic Imagination now?

As we face some of the most rapid and disruptive social, economic and environmental transformations in history, Australia is experiencing a crisis of civic imagination.

At a local, state and national level, there is declining trust in institutions and shifting political participation, within an environment of polarisation and media fragmentation. Experts and advocates struggle to have the causes, not just the symptoms, of critical issues addressed in our public discourse.

Citizens and residents feel disempowered with few opportunities to understand complex issues, explore solutions that transcend the political binary, and to plan for long-term impact beyond the election cycle.

We need a way to connect community values with opportunities for political participation, and to expand the possibilities on the table in relation to public policy, through participatory mechanisms and a public discourse that will reaffirm faith in democracy and civic institutions.

Want to be a part of the Network?

Want to be a part of the Network?

If you’re part of an Australian organisation or institution that considers public policy, a policymaker or researcher, or a member of a community organisation, you might be interested in being part of the Civic Imagination Network.

Interested in learning more or working together to expand our civic imagination?

Sign up for more information here: