An Evening of Insight and Inspiration: Professor Sharon Bessell on Amplifying Children's Voices in Poverty
On November 22, 2024, we gathered at Lawson’s Flat in Perth for an engaging evening with Professor Sharon Bessell from the Crawford School of Public Policy at The Australian National University (ANU). Instead of a formal presentation, the night featured an in-depth conversation led by the Valuing Children Initiative (VCI) team, who asked Professor Bessell about her groundbreaking research on child poverty. Her work, which includes developing key indicators to measure child poverty and the MOR Framework, highlights how poverty impacts children’s opportunities, relationships, and overall well-being. The event sparked discussions and reinforced the urgent need for action to tackle child poverty in Australia.
Event Highlights
The evening offered an intimate discussion with Professor Bessell about her More for Children research, which delves into the lived experiences of children in poverty. Her MOR Framework provides a vital lens for understanding how poverty affects every aspect of a child’s life, from insecurity and educational barriers to strained family relationships. Professor Bessell’s approachable nature made the conversation both insightful and accessible, with plenty of opportunity for attendees to ask questions about her research and the broader issue of child poverty.
A takeaway from the conversation was her emphasis on the need for a home, not just housing. As highlighted in ANU’s Policy Brief, many affordable and emergency housing options fail to provide the stable, safe environments children need to thrive. This message reinforced the fact that ending child poverty is not just about meeting basic needs—it’s about creating spaces where children can grow, learn, and flourish.
The discussion also touched on the progress of the End Child Poverty campaign, which unites over 150 Australian organisations working towards one goal: legislating an end to child poverty.
Engaging Q&A: Deepening Our Understanding of Child Poverty
The evening also included a Q&A session, where attendees had the chance to ask Professor Bessell questions about her research, the indicators for measuring child poverty, and the role of policy change in addressing the issue. The discussion reinforced the understanding that child poverty isn’t just an issue for those directly affected—it’s a societal issue, and all Australians have a part to play in making change happen.
A Night of Connection and Commitment
Despite the intimate setting, the atmosphere was energised as campaign partners, supporters, and advocates came together to reaffirm their shared commitment to ending child poverty. A big thank you to The Tony Fini Foundation for their generous support, making the evening even more special.
As we continue our work with the End Child Poverty campaign, it’s clear that nights like these are crucial for building momentum and keeping the conversation alive. Every child deserves a safe and supportive environment to grow up in, and together, we are committed to making that vision a reality.
Thanks to everyone who joined us for this important evening. If you missed the event, stay connected with us via our social media channels and the Valuing Children Initiative newsletter for updates on upcoming events and campaign news.
Together, we’ll continue to amplify the voices of children in poverty and work towards a future where every child has the chance to thrive.
