WelcomingPartnerships
TheBrisbaneInstitute ofStrengthsBasedPracticewasfoundedin2006byDr VenkatPulla,tosupportapproachesthat promoteresilienceasopposedtodealing withdeficits.Asmall robustgroupof believersin strengthsapproaches and Gandhianprinciplesof‘self-reliance’ managethe activitiesofthe Institute.The firstgroup orthatconstituted theboard came from arangeofprofessional backgrounds suchassocialwork, psychology,media,accountancyand digital art.Although,Brisbanebased and Australian,the Institute’struepartners resideinmanystatesinAustraliaandalso come fromtherestoftheworld. Professionals andlaypeoplefromvarious alternate therapies,health including psychiatry,SocialSciences,HumanServices, biology neuro-sciences,puresciences aboriginal people’sdevelopment,education andmanagementthat believework with andadvocatestrengthsbasedpracticeshave joined us in several of our initiatives. United Kingdom,SouthAfrica,Malaysia, USA, BosniaandHerzegovina,Croatia, Nepal,India,Maldives, Indonesia, New Zealand,Pakistan,Netherlands,Thailand, PapuaNewGuinea,Slovenia,Singapore,Sri Lanka,Netherlands,Canada,Germany, Poland,Israel,Austria,Nigeria,Myanmar, China,Hong Kong, Korea, Taiwan,andPeruaresomecountries thathave foundinteractionswith us through conferencesand training to be meaningful tothem. Thenetworksthat havebuilt throughsuchinteractionshave produced greatfriendships,reinforcing conversations andjourneyingtogether throughstrengthsapproach toincrease coping,buildhopeinallsocieties.Sinceits inceptiontheInstitutehas flourished offeringmeaningful,affordableconference andtrainingstrategiesthatbringtogether peoplefromvariousNGOs,Governmentand Privateand corporatesector,International agencies,Universities and Research Institutes together to engage in conversationsthatareaimtoinfluenceand createamorepositiveworld inAustraliaandtherestoftheworld. Peoplefrom diversebackgroundsareattractedtothis inwardlookingpractice.For example, teachers utilise suchstrategieswith theirstudents,helpingprofessionalsengagewith clients to fulfil their potential, and employersandHRDManagersaredeploying strengthbasedperformanceappraisalswith their employers– Thisisagrowing movement.Weinviteyoutojoinin.
AboutThe Institute
TheBrisbaneInstituteforStrengths-based Practice isanot-for profit,voluntary organisationcomprisedofawidevarietyof professional peoplewith manyyears’ of experienceworking in variedendeavours andhumanserviceorganisations.Therange ofexperience to befoundwithin the Institute’smembers currently includes socialwork andcommunitydevelopment, academicexpertisein thesocialsciences, accountancy,disabilitysupport,graphicart, publicsector management,Indigenous cultural education, business analysisand projectmanagement.Thisrange of expertiseisextendedthroughthevarious networksofeachoftheInstitute’smembers.Itisanorganisationofgoodfounded by Dr Venkat Pulla and his friends that donatetheirtimeandskills totheinstituteand itsprojects pro bono. The Institute was originally incorporated in the year 2006 in Queensland and currently it functions under changed status as a private institute with social responsibility and continues to keep its character as a Notfor profit entity, functioning from 5MandellClose,CoopersPlains, Brisbane,Queensland,4108,Australia.
Purposeof theInstitute
TheBrisbaneInstitute ofStrengthsbased Practice propagates,supportsand encourages strengths basedhuman resourcedevelopment andmanagement consulting,strengthsbased counselling, groupandcommunitytrainingactivitiesand projectsintheAsia pacificregionand elsewhere, throughstudies,visits, conferences and workshopsand major trainingevents. Theprinciple sphereofoperationofthe BrisbaneInstituteofStrengthsinthe initial years has beenthe Asia-Pacific region; howevertheexpertise oftheInstitute’s membersisbeingdeployedelsewhereinthe world asnecessary. Currentoridentifiedareasof BrisbaneInstitute ofStrengthsbasedPractice projects include are in India and Nepal.Previous involvement was in Vietnam, BosniaandHerzegovina, Croatia, Serbia and Nepal
Visionof theInstitute
According to its founder Dr Venkat Pulla the visionoftheBrisbane Institute ofStrengthsBasedPracticeis to assist aworld thatmoves forward inpeaceful collaboration, through bringing togetherindividuals,communities and organisations fromaroundtheworld to maximisetheirpotential.Itsgoalsinclude:
Creatingopportunitiesforpeople from diversebackgrounds to learnabout strengthsbasedpractice. TheInstitute, Dr Venkat Pulla, expects will
•Holdtrainingeventsonstrengths basedpracticerelatedissues
•Promotereputablestrengthbased trainings
• Provide consulting for organisations inareas ofAppreciativeEnquiry, HumanResource Development, Strategic vision,Quality and motivational Interviewingamongst others
•Provide opportunities for the practice ofstrengthbased strategies throughrelevant programs(e.g.AYAD)
•Undertake ProjectsinwhichtheInstitutemay choosetobecomeinclude:
•Conferencesaboutstrengths-based strategies andcommunity development
•Minor fund raising for small projects thatpromotecommunity developmentorresilience and finally creatingforumswherepeoplecan cometogethertoshareexperiences andstories,network,be inspired, challenged,andsupported.
ModusOperandi
Sincetheresourcesavailableto theInstitute donot residewith anyone individual member of the organisation, projectsareundertakeninacollaborative mannerwithjointownershipandpoolingof availableresources.Notallvolunteers ofthe Institute will directly engagewith all projects;howeverall projectsmusthave morethanonesponsorfrom within the institute.
PartnershipwiththeInstitute
TheBrisbane Institute contributesits member’spersonalandcollectiveexpertise andutilisesitscombined extensive professionalnetworksasnecessary tocarry outstrengthsbasedprojects. TheBrisbane InstituteofStrengthsBasedPractice(Inc.)is apartneroftheAusAIDAustralianYouth Ambassadors for Development(AYAD) program,amongstothers.Overtheyearsit has partneredwith GriffithUniversity, Australia, Sarajevo University, Bosniaand Herzegovina,National InstituteofSmall IndustriesandExtension andTraining, Governmentof India, MinistryofWomen andCommunity development, Government ofMalaysiathroughtheir NationalFamily Planning Board,Doha Foundation, GovernmentofQatar,SchoolofSocialWork, Kathmandu Nepal,andSchoolofSocial WorkColomboSriLanka , Australian AssociationofSocial Work(AASW) —Key IndustryorganisationinAustraliaamongst others.These collaborativerelationships have beenpossiblebyvisitsofDrVenkat Pulla,theFounderoftheInstituteseeking activepartnerships. Oftenamemorandum ofunderstanding(MOU)isdevelopedand formalisedwherenecessary.
Projects areundertakeninacollaborative mannerwithjointownershipandpoolingof available resources. Responsibility chartersofactionsforsuccessful implementationoftheprojects are exchanged.The keytocollaborative partnership is communication. Most projectshaveoneBrisbane Institute memberasaprojectleadwithinputsfroma couple ofothermembers.All communicationsaretransparentlyseenand read. Whereculturespecificinterventions arerequiredtheinstituteseeksanumberof multi-cultural resources including consultants within Australiaandalso abroad.
Itis quitepossiblethatmajorfacilitatorcan also befoundandnominatedinthe partnering agencyandtheBrisbane Institute ofStrengths would discussthis wellinadvanceofpartnerships.External partnershipsthereforemust realisethattherearetimesandwhenthe Institutewillgreatlyrelyonexternalproject partneringorganisations tocontribute fiscal,andpersonnelresources where needed.Thisiscrucialas theInstitute dependsuponprimarilyonthepuregood willofitsmembersanddoesnothaveapaid secretariatcurrently.
HowtoApplyforPartnership?
Therearenoformalprocedures for presentingaproposalforpartnershipwith theBrisbane Institute ofStrengths. ProposalsacceptedbytheInstituteusually beginquiteinformallywithanexpressionof interest, aseries ofdialogues orfindingand meetingamemberoftheinstitute. Thisis eitherinitiatedatanexistingconferenceor trainingbytheInstitutepersonnelorbythe potentialpartnershipseeker.Potential partnerships are discussed with Dr Venkat Pulla.
MOUwithpartners
Amemorandumofunderstandingisdrawn onthebasis ofconsultationswith the institute and the partneragencies.
PastProjects
Sinceitsinception in2006,the Brisbane InstituteofStrengths based Practicehasbeenresponsible foranumberof innovative,strengthsbased projectsin Australiaand aroundtheworld.These includeconferences,traininginitiativesand community basedprojects. Asa partnerwith the Australian Government’s Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development(AYAD)initiative,itselfpartof theAustralia’s internationalaidprogram (AusAID),theBrisbane Instituteof Strengths BasedPractice, hasalso sponsoredandmentoredyoungAustralians tocarryoutvariousprojects intheAsia- Pacificregion.PastprojectsoftheInstitute include:
Workshops:
HumanvaluesatworkworkshopAugust2006
Theworkshopaddressesquestionssuchas howdoyou work?Howdoyou viewyour careerandyourcontributiontotheworld? Does somethingrequirechange? Human ValuesatWork focusesonhowyoucan workinaccordwithyourownspiritualview oflifeandfiveHumanValuesthatarefound cross-culturally inallspiritualtraditions: Truth,Righteousness,Peace,LoveandNon- violence.Aone dayprogramonHuman values atwork wasdeliveredin collaboration withUniversityofSouthern QueenslandinToowoomba,byVenkatPulla, Rita Kugler, CA and Management Consultant)Dr,CoralieGraham, Lecturer Universityof SouthernQueensland, Toowoomba.
Conferences:
•2006–TowardsStrengthsBasedStrategies,Hyderabad,India(in partnership with Sanghamitra- India –
The inauguralactivity of the Brisbane InstituteofStrengthsBasedPractice theStrengthsBasesStrategies 2006 conferencecaught the attention of practitioners, researchers, academicsand consumersaroundtheworld.Delegatesand presentersfromdevelopedanddeveloping countrieshadtheopportunitytomeetwith and learnfromsignificant thinkers and practitioners in HRD, counselling, community engagement, entrepreneur development, disability, mentalhealthand HIV/AIDS. EssentiallyanAustralian-based event,theconferencewasheldinIndiato facilitatetheparticipationofalargenumber of local and regional practitioners and academics.
*2008–ConsortiumforSocial DevelopmentAsiaPacificBranch-biannual Conference on Social development and Transition: Paths for Global local PartnershipsispleasedtoestablishICSDAP BranchStudents’Forum.
ThisInternational forum wasinaugurated byDr.VenkatPulla,on25/11/2008
2009 – Coping and Resilience, Dubrovnik-Cavtat,Croatia(in partnershipwiththe SPA–
The Coping & Resilience International Conference Dubrovnik 2009 (CR Dubrovnik
2009)brought together practitioners,researchers, communityactivistsandacademics workinginthe trans-disciplinary areaofhumancopingwithdiverse challenginglifecircumstances and interestedinthecapacityofhuman resiliencetomostadverse life events. Theconferenceaimedto advanceevidence-basedpractices in resiliencepromotion andhope building.Itexaminedtheinterplay of individual, family, community andsocialresponsibilityfactorsin resilienceandtoprovidedirections forfuturepracticeandresearch.
2010–Coping,ResilienceandHopeBuilding,Brisbane-Australia,(in partnershipwiththe GriffithUniversity
TheCoping, ResilienceandHopeBuildingInternationalConference Brisbane2010 (CRHB Brisbane
2010)brings practitioners, researchers,community activists and academics working in the trans-disciplinaryarea ofhuman copingwithdiversechallenginglife circumstancesandinterestedinthe capacity ofhumanresilienceto mostadverse life events.The conference brought in evidence- based practicesin resilience promotionandhopebuilding. The commitment ofover120paper presenterswasveryoverwhelming forusasorganizers.
•2010–Sarajevo: Introduction to strengthsbased practicesand Coping,Resilience,Hope Building activitiesinSarajevo,Tuzlaand othercitiesofBosnia and Herzegovina(in partnership with theViveZene,Tuzla,Frontmodels, Sarajevoand theUniversityof Sarajevo-
•Sarajevo they proudly say‘never dies’.Itrejuvenates.Itisthishope processthat needsstrengthening. Usinganopportunityoffriendsand professionals whohaveattended our previous conferencesand at their invitation it wasdecidedto utiliseMay 19-24,2010toassist some skill acquisitionseminarsin the field of individual, family,
communityandsocialdevelopment OvertimetheBrisbaneInstituteof Strengthswillfollowitup with specific projectworkinSarajevothatwouldbenefit.
•2011– Strengths Based Managementof SocialChange:with specialreference toTransition Countriesinpartnershipwith SarajevoUniversitySarajevo
•SarajevoConversations2011
2012(proposed)–Re-GreeningOur Lives,(partnershipsearch ison) Furtherdiscussionistakingplace aboutthevenue
TrainingInitiatives
•Current Training Initiatives are offered throughconsulting organisations suchasImpetus Global,BrisbaneAustralia
•2007 -The Strengths Approach: PrinciplesandProcesses
•Atwodayworkshopwasheldon introductiontostrengths based practicewith Brisbane Institute’s ConsultantMrWayne McCashen April2007Wayneisauthorofthe booksTheStrengths Approach:a strengths-based.A friendofthe Brisbane Institute ofStrengths Based Practice(Inc.), Wayne McCashenisauthorofthe books TheStrengthsApproach: a strengths-based resourcefor sharingpowerandcreatingchange andCommunitiesofHope: a strengths-based resourcefor buildingcommunityandco-author ofthecard-basedresourceName theFrame:remindersforbuilding respectful socially justdecisions. PresentlyheisEducation and Training Coordinator for Family and CommunityServicesinthe NorthernTerritory,Australia,and was untilrecentlytheprincipal trainerandconsultantforStLuke’s Anglicare(Bendigo, Australia) instrengths-based practiceto a diverserange oforganisations throughoutAustraliaand New Zealand.Thiswas thefirstina series oftrainingevents tobe offered totheQueenslandcommunity,bywhichthe Brisbane Institute of Strengths Based Practice(Inc.) intendstobuildon anopportunity to promote strengthsbased strategiesfor communityand personal development.
2007 – Walking Besides–Irene* Strengths BasedStrategies forthe Individual
Trainingprovidedattherequestof the Brisbane-based AnamCara organisation.The aimwasto facilitatea strengths-based discussiononan appropriateform ofserviceprovisionthatidentified andnurturedtheservice user’s strengths whileidentifyingand nurturingthestrengthsoftheteam whoprovided hersupport.(Apseudo nameto hidetherealidentityoftheperson)
2009 – (Peter Binyon training) Strategicplanning,Quality frameworksforcounselling for AustralianCounsellingNetwork.
AYADinitiatives
The Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development program(AYAD)places skilled youngAustralianvolunteers, aged
18-30, on short-term assignments of between 3-12months,indeveloping countriesthroughouttheAsiaPacificregion. Theprogramoffersyoungpeople a wonderfulopportunityto contribute to developmentwhileatthesame time learningabout othercultures.Youth Ambassadors work with Australian organisations andtheir overseas counterpartsina broad rangeofareasthat include health,environment,rural development,gender,governance,justice, educationandinfrastructuredevelopment. Youth Ambassadorsusetheir skills and expertise toactivelycontributeto internationaldevelopment.They gainan increased understandingofthe developmentneeds ofourneighbouring countriesandbroadentheirexperienceby living and working in a cross-cultural environment.TheBrisbaneInstitute of StrengthsbasedPracticehasgreatpridein beingoneofthepartnersofthisinitiative.
•2008 – Vietnam, Micro-finance developmentsupport
•Promotion of a Vietnamese Institutemember totheAYAD selectioncommitteeasasuitable candidateforthe AYADprogram in Vietnam.Thememberspentayear inhernative landutilisingher bankingsectorskillstoassist a smallmicro-finance NGOto maintainitsexistingprogramsand toexpanditsoperationsinoutlying areas andinthenorth ofthe country.
•2008–Sri LankaSchool ofSocial
Work,Colombo
Promotion of assistanceof teachingand fieldworksupervision attheNational InstituteofSocialDevelopment.Two young Ambassadors wereselectedforSri Lanka. DuetocontinuedinsurgencytheAustralian Government madeadecisionnottosend young Australian Ambassadorsfor that year.
•2010– Nepal, Kadambari Instituteof Scienceand Management,Kathmandu,
Promotionofassistanceoftrainingandfield worksupervisionattheaboveInstitutehas beenacceptedbytheBrisbaneInstituteof Strengths. NepalAYADscheme was approvedfor2012
2011–2015 And 2016- ongoing Phase:
Nepal School ofSocial Work ( a joint Venture of Kadambari MemorialCollege,Nepal College of Development Studies and Tulsi Mehar Memorial College) Shankamul, Ganesh Marg,Kathmandu,Nepal
CommunityDevelopmentInitiatives:
2007-2012 – Sri LankaSchool of Social
Workdevelopmentinitiative
As partoftheConferencetwodelegates from the School of Social Work of theNationalInstituteofSocialDevelopment,Sri Lankawasinvited.Professor Ranavera Amaravamsa andMrsShamini Attanayaka presentedanoverviewofthetrainingand facultydevelopmentneedsoftheSchoolof SocialWork.Thismeetingwasattendedby ProfessorParasuram, DirectoroftheTata InstituteofSocialSciences,ProfessorLesley Chenoweth,of GriffithUniversity,Amanda VosofAASW,HeadsoftheDepartmentsof IndianSchoolsofSocialWorksuch as Professor UmaVennam from Tirupathi MahilaVidyalayam University,Professor Hazel LimaDirectorRoshiniNilaya, Mangalore University,DrMrsMiriam SamuelMadrasChristianCollege,Professor JankiAndharia,andseveral other academics. Themeetingwasconvenedby DrVenkatPullaandanumberofimmediate actionplanstoassisttheSriLankaschoolof SocialWorkweredrawnup.
2009–SoulGypsyinitiative
Soul-Gypsyisa multiethnicgrouparts promotionoftheBrisbane Institute of Strengths BasedPractice. Dance for Development isanurture strategyto advancecommunity preservation of arts and culture.“Musiciansbynature,notby reason”ishowSoulGypsydescribesitself. Thegroupiscomprised of10 extraordinarily talentedmusicians and singersfromarangeofBalkanandEastern Europeanstates,allofwhichhavearecent historyofethnicand religioustension. Thesemusicianshavediscoveredacommon loveofRomanyGypsymusicandtogether havecreatedan extraordinaryshowcaseof howpeopleformerlyatwarmayuse a common interestandtheirstrengthsto forgean excitingcollaborationforpeace. Theprojectincludes planstoencourage youngermusicianstoparticipatealsoina concertedprogramforpeacepromotion.
Promotionofassistanceoftrainingandfield worksupervisionattheaboveInstitutehas beenacceptedbytheBrisbaneInstituteof Strengths. Selectionsofvolunteersis ongoing.
Partnerships
Previous andongoingpartnershipsand collaborationsinclude:
*Sanghamitra–India
(
*NationalInstituteforSmallIndustry ExtensionTraining(NISIET) (
*BalaVikasaSocialServiceSociety
(
*OxfamAustralia
(
*AUSAIDandAYAD(AustralianYouth AmbassadorsforDevelopment) (
*NationalInstituteofSocialDevelopment, Colombo,SriLanka(
*CentreforStrengthsBasedStrategies, Michigan,USA(
*SocietyforPsychologicalAssistance, Zagreb,Croatia(
*The DohaInternationalInstitutefor FamilyStudiesandDevelopment (
*TheCommunityConnections,Canberra,
*NationalInstituteofSocialDevelopment, DepartmentofSocialWelfare,Government ofSriLanka,
*KadambariSchoolofScienceand Management,Kathmandu,Nepal(
*NotforProfitNetwork,Australia, (
*AustralianAssociationofSocial
Workers,(
*RuralSocialWorkersActionGroup- Victoria,(
*Icongo,(
*Anamcara,Centacare,Brisbane, (
FurtherInformation
ForfurtherinformationabouttheInstitute, itsmembersoritsprojectcollaborations, pleasecontactDirectoroftheInstitute
Dr.VenkatPulla
5MandellClose
CoopersPlainsQld4108
Tel: + 61-422345982