Deakin hosts new paradigm for democracy

Deakin University has been invited to host the Australian National Development Index (ANDI), a new measure of Australian wellbeing and progress which will inform federal policy development.

ANDI was officially launched by Australian scientist Sir Gustav Nossal AC last week through the release of a new report from the Australian Council of Learned Academies (ACOLA) andVicHealth.

Entitled Australia's Progress in the 21st Century, the report for the first time provides a scientific foundation for developing an indicator of progress that goes beyond gross domestic product (GDP). It measures how we are doing as a country and as a society, not just an economy.

ANDI brings a new paradigm to Australian democracy. For the first time Australians will decide on aspirations and goals for wellbeing and progress, and ANDI will measure progress against those goals.

Deakin Vice-Chancellor, Professor Jane den Hollander said Deakin was delighted to be the invited to "host" ANDI.

"Deakin has been selected because of its reputation for innovation," she said.

"Central to our mission is producing excellent research that makes a difference to the communities we serve and ANDI is a prime example of that," she said.

Deakin has supported and worked closely with the ANDI board during the project's establishment phase and is committed to continuing the partnership.

Deakin has committed funds for three years to support the project, will provide the 'research domain leaders' who will enlist research collaborators from around Australia and will house the ANDI project team at its Geelong Waterfront campus.

ANDI is part of a growing global movement to redefine how societal progress is measured. Among many of the world's developed and some developing countries, projects are underway to produce national indices of progress or wellbeing as adjuncts to GDP, which simply measures economic condition.

The Australian version, ANDI, is supported by Australia's Chief Scientist and the Australian Council of Learned Academies (ACOLA). Internationally, the project is also strongly supported by the OECD and its Global Progress Research Network.

When established, ANDI will include 12 domains within which annual 'dipstick' readings of progress against targets will be taken and reported.

They include health, Indigenous wellbeing, education.