Presentation by Andrew Leigh about his new book “Reconnected: A community builder’s handbook” which is coauthored with Nick Terrell. Reconnected Media Release

Why Australians need social connection and community, and how to create it

Friends are good for your health. The strength of your social relationships is a remarkably good predictor of how long you will live. Strong social connections also make communities more resilient – as Australians have discovered during the COVID-19 pandemic. But overall we have fewer close friends and local connections than in the past, and more of us say we have no-one to turn to in tough times. How can we turn this around?

In Reconnected, Andrew Leigh and Nick Terrell show what works when it comes to community-building, and introduce us to some remarkable and inspirational people. Organisations such as parkrun and Greening Australia are mobilising thousands of people to stay fit and improve their local neighbourhoods. Technology is providing new ways to raise funds and to volunteer. And from the popular ‘No Lights No Lycra’ dance nights to the atheist ‘Sunday Assembly’ movement, Australians are finding new ways to connect in the twenty-first century.

Reconnected is an essential guide for anyone interested in strengthening social ties.

ANDREW LEIGH is the federal member for Fenner. Before being elected in 2010, he was a professor of economics at the Australian National University. His books include Battlers and Billionaires, The Luck of Politics and Randomistas.

NICK TERRELL is an adviser to Andrew Leigh MP. He has worked closely with Australia’s charity and nonprofit sector to protect the voice of community organisations and promote the value of their contribution to Australian communities.