A resource for teaching and learning about consuming planet earth

F2
Social sustainability and problem gambling
Exercise 1 – Defining social sustainability
Form a small group and complete the following activities
There is no one definition of social sustainability. At its most basic level its
meaning tries to capture what it is that makes a community healthy and livable
now and also in the future.
One way of expressing social sustainability is through the concepts of:
Equity – equal opportunities for all community members e.g. providing a pre-school
dental service free to all members of the community
Diversity – valuing different cultures e.g. supporting a range of festivals.
Interconnectedness – things in place that link people e.g. youth clubs.
Quality of life – fostering material and non-material well-being e.g. providing
lollypop people at crossings to help foster a sense of safety.
a) With your group, brainstorm other examples of equity, diversity,
interconnectedness and quality of life that are found in your local community.
Equity Diversity Interconnectedness Quality of life
b) Below are some examples of consequences that may arise out of problem
gambling for some problem gamblers. They may impact not only on
the personal health of the gambler but community health too. For each
consequence, write down whether your group thinks equity, diversity,
interconnectedness or quality of life would be most affected and why.
Rigging a local soccer game to pay back gambling debts
Stealing to get money for gambling
Dropping out of local clubs to get more time to gamble on the poker machines
Distressing members of their family and friends
Going into debt that gambler is unable to pay back
GAMBLER’S HELP LINE
86
1800 858 858 www.problemgambling.vic.gov.au