Overview and History
The Australian Business and Community Network (ABCN) was created in 2004 by a group of senior business leaders whose vision was to inspire, challenge and engage businesses to have a greater positive impact in the community.
Our objective
Have a more significant and sustainable community impact by working collaboratively and combining resources.
Our aims
Engage companies to:
- Provide a collaborative environment to share best practice and learning in the area of business community partnerships
- Work collectively to explore and exploit the leverage points where business can intervene to improve its impact on society
- Provide mechanisms that build awareness of key social issues through 'real' engagement i.e. CEOs participating in a mentoring program with school principals
- Integrate responsible practices into all areas of business
- Inspire others when we put our beliefs into practice and share our knowledge and experience
- Identify their unique 'community value proposition' and shift from a passive to active model of corporate responsibility
- Work with community and government stakeholders to best leverage the resources available within the member businesses.
Our focus
After extensive consultation the ABCN decided to initially focus on education and provide mentoring, partnering and support programs to those students and schools that would benefit the most.
Our programs
In 2005 the ABCN introduced four practical programs: Partners in Learning, Growing Opportunities and Learning Skills (GOALS), Spark Primary School Reading Program and InterAct Arts Experience. Since this time, ABCN has experienced consistent growth and expansion of programs.
In 2008, ABCN plans to be working with over 30 member companies, over 80 schools in areas of high social need, involving 3,400 students and over 1,500 company volunteers working in sustained programs nationally.
The future
ABCN plans to extend our partnering, mentoring and support programs into other areas of social need.