Community engagement and Belonging for a diverse Australia

In this episode of The Belonging Shift, host Mantej Singh speaks with Lucy Cole Edelstein, founder of Kadima Training, about what it takes to build genuine belonging through community engagement. She shares practical shifts for leaders: get on the ground, listen firsthand, treat engagement as risk management done early. Lucy reflects on three decades in the field and shares why engagement must move beyond spin and transactional consultation toward real relationships, time with communities, and humility - especially in a diverse Australia.Key pointsBelonging brings a new mindset to engagement and should shape practice.Technology can speed work up, but it can also become something we hide behind.Straight communication builds trust more than polished messaging and “spin”.Engagement takes time - like a snowball, it grows as it rolls.The relationship shift and the humility shift are essential for enagging diverse communities.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Belonging & Community Engagement02:58 Lucy’s Journey in Community Engagement07:44 Evolution of Community Engagement Over 30 Years13:08 Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging in Engagement17:05 Barriers to Progress in Community Engagement21:43 The Relationship Shift & the Humility Shift for belonging in engagementGuest BioLucy Cole Edelstein is a long-time community engagement practitioner, with 30 years experience across government, consultancy, and training. During this time she built and led teams, founded and onsold her own agency. She was a founding member of IAP2 Australasia and won multiple national and international awards for her engagement and facilitation.Lucy established Kadima-training that sticks! - after a 30 year career as a consultant. She is passionate about engagement and supporting emerging and mid-career professionals to have the success she has had. Importantly, she is passionate about great practice, challenging work and achieving success at work while maintaining a balanced and rewarding personal life.Links / resources• Kadima Training website• Lucy Cole Edelstein LinkedInAbout the host Mantej Singh is the founder of Belonging Co - a social and cultural inclusion consultancy based in Sydney. He brings 20+ years’ experience in community engagement, placemaking and inclusion, focused on systemic change and community led outcomes. Mantej emphasizes systemic change, leadership accountability to foster genuine belonging and cultural inclusion. Links / resourcesBelonging Co WebsiteMantej Singh LinkedIn If this episode sparked a new idea, challenge, or possibility, share it with someone who’ll benefit. Follow and subscribe to The Belonging Shift podcast for future conversations.Connect with Mantej or Lucy if you want help with your community and stakeholder engagement projects or initiatives.