Why Cohesion Now?

Why Cohesion Now?

Australia—and the world—faces a perfect storm of division threatening our collective capacity to respond to real challenges.

The evidence is stark:

Rising hate and violence:

ASIO disrupted five terror plots in 2024, with antisemitism now ASIO's top priority "in terms of threats to life": the first time a form of racism has been the agency's highest concern. Jewish communities reported over 2,000 antisemitic incidents between October 2023 and September 2024, compared to approximately 500 the year prior. Muslim, Arab, and Palestinian communities face increased racism. ASIO warns of "webs of hate" catching young Australians, with nationalist and racist violent extremists expected to expand their movements.

Institutional trust at historic lows:

The 2024 Edelman Trust Barometer reveals that government is distrusted in 17 of 28 countries surveyed globally, with media distrusted in 15 countries. Only 51% of people globally trust government institutions. In 23 of 28 countries, there is double-digit income-based trust inequality. Meaning, rich and poor citizens inhabit fundamentally different realities, with the poor far less likely to trust their electoral systems or believe their government is legitimate.

Unprecedented polarisation:

According to Pew Research Center, unfavourable views of opposing political parties have doubled since 1994, with very unfavourable opinions at record highs as of 2022. The gap between political divides continues to widen across age groups, income levels, and geographies. This isn't just an American problem: it's global.

The cost of division:

When societies fracture, we lose our capacity to solve actual problems. We can't respond effectively to cost-of-living crises, natural disasters, or economic shocks when we don't trust each other or our institutions. Research consistently shows that communities with strong social cohesion are more resilient during crises, better able to take collective action, and experience better health outcomes, reduced violence, and greater prosperity.

The opportunity in cohesion

Studies demonstrate that cohesive communities respond more effectively to disasters, make more rational decisions in times of crisis, help each other through hardship, and build resilience against radicalisation. Social cohesion isn't just a nice-to-have; it's infrastructure for survival.

When we invest in genuine cohesion, we don't just reduce harm. We build societies capable of addressing the challenges that actually matter: housing, healthcare, climate, security.

We create conditions where people can think clearly, act collectively, and support each other through difficulty.

What is Cohesion?

Real cohesion isn't about erasing difference or forcing agreement. It's what happens when communities actively participate with each other - bringing their full selves, their stories, their boundaries, and their truths.

We believe cohesion grows through genuine engagement across difference. When we listen deeply, share honestly, and think critically together, we all evolve. That evolution, the natural consequence of real connection, is how we become more than we were. We see more than we could alone.

Cohesion isn't a destination. It's an ongoing practice of staying agile, curious and being willing to change. When you genuinely engage across difference, you don't emerge unchanged; and that's the point.

Working to build cohesion is community led and bottom-up.

• Community-led design - People with lived experience lead our programs and set priorities

• Evidence-informed practice - We use surveys, data collection, and research to measure impact and refine our approach

• Grassroots delivery - Change happens in neighbourhoods, universities, and public squares—not boardrooms

We don't speak for communities. We amplify voices that are already speaking, and we track whether our work is actually making a difference.

Co-Design as Practice

Every project is different because every community is different. We don't use templates or one-size-fits-all programs.

Our approach is:

• Adaptive - We adjust in real-time based on community needs and feedback

• Agile - What works in one context may not work in another; we pivot accordingly

• Collaborative - Communities are partners, not clients or beneficiaries

True cohesion is ever-changing. We embrace that. We learn with every conversation, every program, every relationship built. Our work evolves because the people we serve are always teaching us something new.

Healthy Boundaries

We create brave spaces for difficult conversations—not by avoiding disagreement, but by grounding dialogue in mutual respect and shared humanity.

Our boundaries:

• No hate, no dehumanisation - You can disagree passionately without denying someone's dignity

• Curiosity over certainty - We prioritise asking questions over proving points

• Openness to change - If you engage genuinely with different perspectives, you should expect to be changed by them. This is growth.

• Accountability - We own our mistakes and learn from them publicly.

We don't ask people to abandon their values or identities. We ask them to be willing to understand someone else's—and to recognise that real engagement transforms everyone involved.

Our goal is to help all Australians communicate better, understand each other more, and build a future where our children can all live fearlessly and freely together on this shared land.

Have ideas or questions? Write to info@cohesion.org.au