Our Values
What are Values and What Role do they play in NCV
“WHAT ARE VALUES?
Values are the principles or standards that each of us carry through our lives that guide and inform our thoughts, attitudes and actions. They influence, and are influenced by, our experience of the society in which we each live. Our values help determine what is important to us and shape how we interact with each other and all living beings in the world around us.
WHY ARE VALUES IMPORTANT?
We might not be explicitly aware of them, but values are important influences in many aspects of our lives, such as our choice of friends, what we buy, if and how we vote, our ecological footprints, and our personal wellbeing. They also influence how we act on social and environmental issues, such as poverty, climate change and racism. If we are to overcome the world’s most pressing challenges, we need to elevate the human values that underpin our care for each other and the wider world.
WHAT DO WE MEAN BY INTRINSIC & EXTRINSIC VALUES?
Some values are referred to as extrinsic values. These values rely on external approval or rewards – such as wealth, power or public image. Other values are referred to as intrinsic values. These values are more inherently rewarding – such as community, love for friends and family and creativity. Both groups of values play an important part in who we are – to live well-rounded lives we need to be able to draw on a wide range; but it is also important that these values are kept in balance.
HOW CAN VALUES LEAD TO A BETTER WORLD?
When we look at some of the key sources of influence in mainstream culture – for example, advertising, the media and government – we can see that they champion and foreground some values more than others. Through an overemphasis on wealth, celebrity and consumerism, our culture has become skewed towards extrinsic values, undermining the intrinsic values which lead to greater care for each other and the wider world. Despite these powerful influences, most people nonetheless prioritise intrinsic values over extrinsic, which we can see as a powerful indicator of the potential to rebalance the values we find all around us. Building our social institutions, business and public services in ways that reflect intrinsic values would deepen our care for one another, strengthen responses to social and environmental issues, and improve personal wellbeing.
Our Ten Shared Values
Set out below are the ten shared values that all Members of NCV have agreed to embrace and are the fundamental principles by which we run our organisation. Together with carefully researched evidence, they guide how we arrive at decisions, how we behave towards each other, shape our vision of what we want for our collective future and how we expect to be governed.
They are very important to us. Please read them carefully. We are happy to receive any feedback about them at [email protected]
Acknowledgement of First Nations people:
NCV recognises the ancestral connections and custodianship of Traditional Owners throughout Australia and works towards reconciliation.
Raising the standard of political representation:
NCV aims to move beyond traditional party politics, focusing on community needs and preferences through communication of the voices of our community expressed as a broad range of desired outcomes.
Community engagement:
NCV emphasise involving everyday people in political processes at all three levels of government through respectful dialogue and inclusivity, evidence-based decision-making and valuing diverse perspectives.
Safety from violence, coercion and addiction
NCV believes everybody, particularly women, children and vulnerable minorities, must be able to live in safety, free from acts and threats of violence, abuse, intimidation and the scourge of addiction.
Representative Accountability:
NCV believes in empowering the community to take an active role in the political process and hold their representatives accountable for achieving constituents’ desired outcomes within reasonable timeframes.
Climate Action:
NCV promotes strong climate policies, actions to reduce carbon emissions and a just transition away from fossil fuels to renewable energy, sustainable housing and transport.
Integrity, transparency and accountability:
NCV advocates for independent bodies to investigate and eliminate corruption and ensure ethical behaviour, transparency and accountability at all three levels of government.
Socially and culturally progressive, economically and environmentally responsible:
NCV encourages adoption of progressive values and maintains strong support for prudential economic management and protection of natural environments and biodiversity.
Long-Term Thinking and Appropriate Action:
NCV promotes the importance of strategic long-term planning, tackling challenging issues and acting in accordance with the laws and norms of civil society.
Equality of opportunity for all people:
NCV advocates for equality of opportunity for all people regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, race, or national or ethnic origin.