IFS Asia-Pacific Regional Network

IFS Asia-Pacific is a regional network of IFS Global Network, connecting settlement houses, neighbourhood houses, neighbourhood centres, community centres and community organisations, together with the federations, associations and networks that represent them across the Asia-Pacific region.

The network brings together organisations, practitioners, researchers, community leaders and others interested in community development, social justice and locally led action.

IFS Asia-Pacific creates opportunities for participants to build relationships across countries, exchange community-based knowledge, strengthen cultural understanding and explore opportunities for regional cooperation.

Through regular online meetings, presentations and shared learning, the network connects local community experience with wider regional and international conversations.

How the Network Began

The IFS Asia-Pacific Regional Network began taking shape in 2021 through the leadership and collaboration of the Local Community Services Association and Counterpoint Community Services, with support from the Australian Neighbourhood Houses and Centres Association and other regional partners.

Counterpoint Community Services brought established experience in international student exchanges, cross-cultural learning and international relationships. It also supported LCSA during the development and delivery of the 2021 IFS International Conference.

The IFS Conference was hosted in Sydney by LCSA in partnership with the Australian Neighbourhood Houses and Centres Association. Originally planned as an in-person and virtual event, the conference was held online because of the COVID-19 pandemic and international travel restrictions. It became the first fully virtual IFS international conference, connecting hundreds of delegates and more than 100 speakers and presenters from around the world.

The relationships and experience developed through the conference helped strengthen connections between community organisations, educational institutions and practitioners across the Asia-Pacific region.

The first virtual regional meeting was held on 6 September 2021. Seven organisations participated, representing educational institutions, settlement houses, neighbourhood centres and community organisations from across the region.

Participants discussed what they wanted the regional network to become, how it could support mutual learning and how organisations could cooperate in pursuit of social justice and community empowerment.

The establishment of the network also created a pathway for Asia-Pacific organisations to participate more actively in the wider IFS Global Network.

Our Regional Purpose

IFS Asia-Pacific provides a regional space where locally rooted organisations, representative networks, practitioners and community leaders can connect, exchange knowledge and learn from one another.

The regional network aims to:

  • strengthen relationships between IFS members and Associate Members across the Asia-Pacific
  • support mutual learning between organisations working in different cultural and community contexts
  • share community-development knowledge, practice and resources
  • enhance cultural exchange and understanding
  • develop skills and approaches that support resilient and inclusive communities
  • identify opportunities for regional cooperation and collaborative projects
  • strengthen Asia-Pacific participation within the wider IFS Global Network
  • bring community perspectives from the region into international discussions

IFS Asia-Pacific recognises the diversity of countries, cultures, languages and approaches across the region. Its purpose is not to promote a single model of community work, but to create opportunities for participants to learn from their different experiences.

The network’s original aims included sharing knowledge, strengthening community-development skills, enhancing cultural exchange, improving regional and international connections and identifying opportunities for joint projects.

Areas of Regional Interest

The work of IFS Asia-Pacific is shaped by the experiences, knowledge and priorities of participating organisations.

Areas of shared interest may include:

  • community development and locally led action
  • neighbourhood and community-centre practice
  • poverty, inequality and social inclusion
  • community resilience and disaster preparedness
  • migration, cultural diversity and belonging
  • children, young people and families
  • ageing and intergenerational connection
  • community health and wellbeing
  • climate resilience and environmental justice
  • human rights, democracy and community participation
  • organisational sustainability and leadership
  • cooperation between community organisations, educational institutions and representative networks

These areas are not intended to limit the work of IFS Asia-Pacific. Regional interests and activities will continue to develop through dialogue with participating members and organisations.

Regional Meetings and Activities

IFS Asia-Pacific holds regular online meetings that bring together organisations and individuals from across the region.

Regional meetings provide opportunities to:

  • hear presentations from participating organisations
  • share examples of community-led practice
  • discuss challenges affecting local communities
  • exchange knowledge, research and useful resources
  • strengthen cultural understanding
  • develop relationships between countries and organisations
  • explore opportunities for study visits and collaborative projects
  • contribute Asia-Pacific perspectives to wider IFS activities

The online format allows participants across a large and diverse geographic region to remain connected without the cost of international travel.

The network initially planned to meet monthly. Its schedule subsequently evolved, with meetings generally held online every second month. Meeting dates and connection details are shared directly with network participants. [lcsansw.org.au], [lcsansw.org.au], [lcsansw.org.au]

Members are encouraged to suggest discussion topics, present examples of community-led practice and propose opportunities for regional cooperation.

Participation Across the Region

Organisations and individuals from a growing range of countries have participated in IFS Asia-Pacific meetings and activities.

Recent regular participation has included people and organisations from:

  • Australia
  • India
  • Indonesia
  • New Zealand
  • Singapore
  • Sri Lanka
  • Taiwan
  • Thailand

The network continues to welcome participation from countries and communities not yet actively represented.

How Members Participate

IFS members and Associate Members can participate in IFS Asia-Pacific by:

  • joining regional online meetings and conversations
  • sharing news, resources, research and examples of community practice
  • presenting the work of their organisation or community
  • suggesting topics for future regional discussions
  • connecting with organisations working on similar issues
  • contributing to regional learning activities
  • proposing opportunities for collaboration or joint projects
  • contributing Asia-Pacific perspectives to wider IFS discussions
  • helping strengthen connections with organisations in countries not yet actively involved

Local organisations belonging to an IFS federation, association or peak body may already receive free Associate Membership.

They can contact their representative body or the regional coordinators to confirm their connection and ask to receive Asia-Pacific updates, meeting invitations and information about regional activities.

Regional Coordination

The IFS Asia-Pacific Regional Network was developed through the leadership and collaboration of the Local Community Services Association and Counterpoint Community Services, with support from the Australian Neighbourhood Houses and Centres Association and other regional partners.

Counterpoint Community Services contributed experience in international student exchanges, cross-cultural learning and international relationships. It also supported LCSA through the development and delivery of the 2021 IFS International Conference.

LCSA has continued coordinating regular online meetings and supporting connections between participating organisations across the region. Public information from LCSA identifies its role in coordinating meetings focused on connection, mutual learning and potential collaboration.

In 2025, LCSA also became the host office of IFS Global Network. This strengthened the connection between the Asia-Pacific Regional Network and the Federation’s wider international administration, while the regional network continued to be shaped by the participation and leadership of organisations across the Asia-Pacific.

To learn more about the network, connect your organisation, suggest a meeting topic or participate in future activities, contact:

Local Community Services Association
Email: keummi@lcsansw.org.au

Acknowledging the Network’s Development

IFS acknowledges the leadership and contributions of LCSA Team, Counterpoint Community Services, the Australian Neighbourhood Houses and Centres Association, and the regional organisations and individuals who helped establish and develop the IFS Asia-Pacific Regional Network.

LCSA’s account of the network’s inception also acknowledges Bill Yan of the Paul Ramsay Foundation at the time, COO of Counterpoint Community Services, and their CEO Mike Shreenan, Keummi Joo and Lyn Lormer of LCSA, as well as Eunice Cheung and Nessa Chen of City University of Hong Kong, for assisting during the network’s initial development.

Their commitment to international exchange, shared learning and regional cooperation created foundations on which the network continues to grow.