Monday night 6-8pm:
Taking the long view – where have we come from and where are we going? Ancient wisdom and 21st century challenges
First Nations peoples have over 80,00 years of knowledge of living in harmony with the natural systems of Australia and the cosmic cycles that govern all life. This panel discussion will bring ancient wisdom together with contemporary science and international global change research, to inform and reflect on life on our ancient continent – past, present and future. Return to the program.
Tuesday lunchtime 12-2pm:
Aboriginal philosophy as a guide to reflecting on our civilisation
Join Mary Graham and Yin Paradies for a fascinating discussion about Aboriginal philosophy, culture and governance. Mary Graham will share an introduction to the remarkable culture and governance systems of Aboriginal societies and reflect on how the relationist ethos of First Nations peoples can guide the reimagining of Australian society as we transition beyond crisis. Yin Paradies will share profound reflections on the impacts of colonisation and the urgency of decolonising Australian society. Return to the program.
Tuesday evening 6-8pm:
Community responses to Crisis: Pandemic / Food & Land
This panel will discuss food security, employment, and local renewable energy during times of crisis. Considering the issues facing communities, culture, our health and wellbeing; we are intimately connected with the natural systems of our land. Crisis is challenging these issues to breaking point and there are many stories of great humanity, compassion and action. Our speakers will share inspiring stories of how communities have worked together to respond to food security in our cities during the first COVID19 lock downs and reflect on how strong relationships and community connections are critical to society thriving beyond crisis. Return to the program.
Wednesday lunchtime 12-2pm:
Colonisation, racial justice & community empowerment
This panel will hear from First Nations wisdom in Australia and North America, sharing inspiring stories about how these ancient cultures and economics have strong businesses whilst also supporting the regeneration of the planet. In Canada it is estimated Indigenous-owned businesses contribute $32 billion annually to the economy with the potential of growing to $100 billion in the next five years. Developing on the ground food, water, energy and training projects that support the health and wellbeing of communities is the grass roots approach. This involves developing programs and policies that promote sustainability, environmental justice, and self-governance, where local control in the sustainable management, restoration, and protection of natural resources includes youth engagement and community capacity building. Return to the program.
Wednesday evening 6-8pm:
Achieving social justice in Australia
This panel will be discussing the movement working to create social equity to support basic human needs such as housing, energy and culture. First Nations wisdom describes “home” as a place very strongly connected to personal identity and wellbeing. This knowledge sets the foundation of how we support communities to rebuild whilst prioritising personal, community and extended network wellbeing in this process. There is a critical need to make housing affordable and conducive to health and wellbeing in cities or outer metropolitan areas. This requires new business models and governance to enable families to feel secure now and into the future. Energy costs have increased over time creating enormous financial stress on families and communities. Projects on the ground are growing to enable communities to “take back their power” and manage and build community owned and managed energy projects. Return to the program.
Thursday lunchtime 12-2pm:
Fire, country and culture
This panel will discuss the issues we have been facing for sometime around extreme climate conditions and the impact on cultures across the planet and the growing movement to build resilience in a space of vulnerability. Fire is one of the basic elements of life and this is the understanding First Nations people have as they manage the landscape with the care that each region needs. This was the practice that each community utilised prior to colonisation to care for “country” (the land) and this practice is being recognised as the path going forward to mitigate and support the landscape to be healthy and fire resilient. Deeper still it is a practice for living in harmony with natural systems that sustain us. Before the covid pandemic the world watched as Australia was consumed by fire catastrophe. Vulnerability is now the space that is the catalyst for change where we can share in this “level playing” that reminds us that we are all human with the same needs and same concerns and do this in a powerful process of collaboration. Return to the program.
Thursday evening 6-8pm:
Responding to a climate changed and socially fragmented world
This panel will discuss the strategic thinking being utilised across the planet now, which is moving us into a resilient future. Part of this strategy involves the impact of women as the “game changers” when it comes to individual action as a key solution to solving the climate crisis. How we work together and plan at this time of crisis, will determine the steps to securing a climate steady future. But the very nature of our communication within ourselves our families and communities, during this time, has become more real and this authenticity is a process of relearning that is critical to effective change and regeneration. Return to the program.
Friday lunchtime 12-2pm:
Capital, COVID and CSR: the role of corporates in challenging times
This panel will discuss the process and skills required to secure funding for critical projects and the journey along the path to sustainable revenue streams. Superannuation funds represent not just individual security, but the greatest collective financial power base for people to make a difference to our resilient and self sustaining future. First Nations communities often located in remote areas are showing us new ways of engaging renewable energy, which enables the rebuilding of communities where they can take control and manage employment and training within the communities. Often renewable energy is out of reach for families and new financial models enable families to take responsibility for their “green” power supply. Return to the program.
Friday evening (4-6pm):
Investing for the future: the future of philanthropy
This the last panel of this webinar will discuss the future of philanthropy and the way the sector focuses on “place based” solutions for the issues relating to our social, environmental and health wellbeing needs. Social Impact investing looks at the outcomes of investment through the lens of outcomes for humanity, the environment and profit. Risk in business and investment is a key challenge to productivity and profit, but it can also be the opportunity to enable social impact ecosystem to respond to challenges and threats and to grow and prosper. Return to the program.