In what ways does the mandatory nature of Victoria's municipal public health planning framework impact on the planning process and outcomes?

BACKGROUND: Systems for planning are a critical component of the infrastructure for public health. Both in Australia and internationally there is growing interest in how planning processes might best be strengthened to improve health outcomes for communities. In Australia the delivery of public health varies across states, and mandated municipal public health planning is being introduced or considered in a number of jurisdictions. In 1988 the Victorian State government enacted legislation that made it mandatory for each local government to produce a Municipal Public Health Plan, offering us a 20-year experience to consider. RESULTS: In-depth interviews were undertaken with those involved in public health planning at the local government level, as part of a larger study on local public health infrastructure and capacity. From these interviews four significant themes emerge. Firstly, there is general agreement that the Victorian framework of mandatory public health planning has led to improvements in systems for planning. However, there is some debate about the degree of that improvement. Secondly, there is considerable variation in the way in which councils approach planning and the priority they attach to the process. Thirdly, there is concern that the focus is on producing a plan rather than on implementing the plan. Finally, some tension over priorities is evident. Those responsible for developing Municipal Public Health Plans express frustration over the difficulty of having issues they believe are important addressed through the MPHP process. CONCLUSION: There are criticisms of Victoria's system for public health planning at the local government level. Some of these issues may be specific to the arrangement in Victoria, others are problems encountered in public health planning generally. In Victoria where the delivery structure for public health is diverse, a system of mandatory planning has created a minimum standard. The implementation of the framework was slow and factors in the broader political environment had a significant impact. Work done in recent years to support the process appears to have led to improvements. There are lessons for other states as they embark upon mandated public health plans

Inside communities, outside conventions: What is at stake in doing theology?

Sketches key challenges of the postmodern global terrain for theological work and community and offers four practices that can locate and guide Christian theologies and ethics toward 21st century negotiations of a new global commons (shared public spaces dedicated to a less violent and more mutual common life)

Building Inclusive Communities of Life

Reprinted by permission of the publisher.Addresses the role and nature of community, including that of the church, in light of the ecological and economic dangers of globalisation. Six case studies are provided to illustrate Canadian communities with Christian ties, expressing relationships of personal history, identity, mutuality and fellowship

Seeking 'right relations': how should churches respond to aboriginal voices?

Differs in pagination and minor details from originally published version.What moral and spiritual resources do churches have to open space for transforming and making new relations with and among Aboriginal communities? What values best express justice and are cross-culturally appropriate? Who decides on the terms and how? When are moral agency and responsibility aptly configured within unevenly structured relations of power? With special attention to the United Church of Canada and to voices of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal women, I explore elements of an ethical framework in dialogue with the Royal Commission On Aboriginal Peoples. The Commission suggests three roles that religious institutions can play: to foster awareness and understanding; to participate in public discussion; and to advocate at the local level in situations of conflict. On what grounds can each role be adequate in practice and what are some ingredients for ethical guidelines? I suggest what moral agenda and basis might confirm the claims of ecclesial potential

The Church in Solidarity: Liberation Ecclesiology

Serving as an introduction to a series of readings, this article addresses the role and mission of the church as defined by liberation theology. That is, in light of secularism, social justice and the question of religious pluralism, how does one understand the relation between the church, the world and Jesus' mission of inaugurating the reign of God

Beyond Borders: Diversity as Moral and Spiritual Resource

Reprinted by permission of the publisher.Propounds a model of critical or complex diversity, which recognizes the intricate web of identities and relationships informing oppressions. Legge then examines hospitality as a religious practice that generates moral energy for resistance to domination

Bricoleurs-In-Community: Reframing Theologies of Culture

Reprinted by permission of the publisher.In the absence of critical social theories of class and culture, those growing more powerless are susceptible to manipulation and to projection of their fears onto those still more powerless. In the face of such enervation, Legge cites the importance of alternative cultural/theological work that lives from compassionate concern for others and the common good. Like bricolage we need to build a new relationship from scorned/suppressed materials within local cultures, scriptures, and traditions, as well as people's lived experience

Negotiating Mission: A Canadian Stance

Reprinted by permission of the publisher.Legge addresses the nature and role of Christian mission in light of its oppressive colonizing history. From her location in the United Church of Canada, she considers residential schools and the potential for healing mission governed by solidarity and justice/love

Visions for Power-in-Relation

A bibliographic review locating several hermeneutical resources Beverly Wildung Harrison insists are crucial to keep feminist ethics accountable to questions of power and oppression existing in specific historical contexts