Where to from here?

CACOM is currently actively engaged in a dozen research projects. CACOM’s research program for the coming triennium will focus on issues of major national and international concern in relation to community capacity building and the role of third sector organisations in civil society, both here in Australia, and in the Asian region. CACOM is committed to contributing effectively to the strategic objectives of UTS, and in particular to the UTS emphasis on sustainability, research excellence and internation-alisation. More specifically, the main directions for CACOM are:

• Ongoing development of a database: More needs to be done to develop a sound data base for philanthropy and third sector organisations in Australia and the Asian region. CACOM will seek to involve its existing partnership links with such organisations as ABS, The Centre of Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies (CPNS) at the Queensland University of Technology, and Philanthropy Australia. In the wider Asian context, CACOM will continue to work with APPIN (Asian Pacific Philanthropy Information Network) to develop a comprehensive web-based database.
  
  
• Community renewal and capacity building: Several current projects, including ARC funded projects are focused on the process of community renewal, particularly in small rural communities. These projects are specifically concerned with identifying the role of social capital in community renewal, and the role of third sector organisations in the generation of social capital. We seek to explicate the relationship between all aspects of sustainability and the development of social capital.
  
  
• The impact of information and communication technologies (ICT):  We know that the Internet has had a major impact on the operation of virtually all aspects of our economy and society. The establishment of Community Technology Centres throughout NSW is suggestive of the potential role that community access to the Internet can have as a bridging tool for isolated communities. Less obvious are the effects of the ‘digital divide’ and the impact of ICT on social capital formation and knowledge philanthropy.
  
  
• Increased involvement of CACOM in the Asian region: The Ford Foundation Governance Project will involve our energies for the next several years. Other projects are likely to flow from this and from the APPIN data base project.  CACOM is taking on a strong mentoring role with senior researchers from Trisakti University in Indonesia. Other such assignments are sought.
  
  
• Enhancing the capacity of volunteers and volunteering in Australia: CACOM will continue its active research and publication program directed at increasing our knowledge of volunteering and the needs of volunteers. CACOM will continue to work closely with Volunteering Australia and with the Australian Centre for Citizenship. We hope to have an involvement in the development of the proposed National Volunteer Skills Centre.
  
  
• Development of Australian Third Sector Research Institute: This is a long term goal, already started in conjunction with The Centre of Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies (CPNS) at the Queensland University of Technology, and the Centre for Citizenship and Human Rights at Deakin University. The embryonic institute will seek funding to conduct a collaborative research project on topics identified by a national meeting of Third Sector Peak organisations.