Exploring Social Inclusion in Geelong
At a recent local Forum on social inclusion, community members, service providers, and thought leaders came together to share perspectives on how we can build a more connected and inclusive Geelong. Among the many contributions, Andries P. Fourie, Founder of Better Health Outcomes, shared a compelling vision for governance and community development that places wellbeing, dignity, and inclusion at the centre.
This vision statement, titled Uniting Vision of the Whole / Compelling Future, outlines guiding principles for creating communities where belonging is not conditional, but a fundamental right. By drawing on lived experience, empirical evidence, and ethical commitments, it calls on institutions and individuals alike to work toward a society where human flourishing is the measure of progress.
We are pleased to share Andries’ statement below as part of our ongoing commitment to elevating diverse voices and ideas that strengthen community connection in Geelong and beyond.
Uniting Vision of the Whole / Compelling Future
The future of effective governance and community development depends upon a clear, evidence-based vision of human flourishing. This vision must acknowledge the realities of suffering, uphold dignity and inclusion as non-negotiable, and position wellbeing as the central criterion of progress. By integrating lived experience, empirical data, and ethical commitments, we can build institutions and communities that are sustainable, just, and life-affirming.
Foundational Principles
- Wellbeing as Foundation
Wellbeing must be recognised as a primary outcome in policy and planning. It is not ancillary to economic growth or security but the condition upon which both depend. - Suffering as Signal
Social suffering — whether in the form of exclusion, inequity, or health disparity — is not merely a cost to be managed. It is an indicator of systemic misalignment requiring targeted intervention. - Flourishing as Horizon
Flourishing, understood as the sustained capacity for individuals and communities to thrive, should serve as a long-term horizon for evaluation. Policy success is measured not only by harm reduction but by increases in coherence, dignity, and opportunity.
Community Coherence
- Inclusive communities integrate diversity as strength.
- Participation is structured to ensure equity of voice.
- Safety and dignity are established as baseline rights, not privileges.
Such coherence creates conditions where belonging is not conditional, but an inherent part of social life.
Institutional Role
Institutions must evolve from being primarily regulatory or reactive toward becoming enablers of flourishing. This requires:
- Embedding wellbeing metrics into decision-making frameworks.
- Balancing efficiency with equity, ensuring that policy outcomes are both effective and just.
- Implementing feedback systems that integrate empirical evidence with lived experience.
Individual Agency
At the personal level, flourishing involves:
- The cultivation of purpose and direction (aim).
- The ability to act with discipline and focus.
- The development of resilience and openness in meeting challenges.
These are not solely private capacities but outcomes that can be supported through education, health systems, and inclusive social structures.
Higher-Order Coherence
Beneath these layers lies a principle of coherence: that the flourishing of one is inseparably linked to the flourishing of all. This coherence can be recognised across traditions — whether articulated as civic responsibility, social contract, or shared humanity. It provides a unifying frame that transcends ideological difference.
The Vision Statement
A flourishing society is one in which wellbeing is the foundation of governance, suffering is treated as a signal for systemic response, and flourishing is the shared horizon. In such a society, communities are coherent, institutions act as enablers, individuals are supported to live with dignity and purpose, and the underlying coherence of our interdependence is affirmed. This vision provides a practical, ethical, and sustainable compass for inclusive policy and collective action.
Andries P. Fourie
Founder
Better Health Outcomes
