RESHAPING AUSTRALIA: COMMUNITIES IN ACTION

Dates: Thursday 3 November 2022, 9.30 am–5.30 pm AEDT
Venue: Live-streamed and now on YouTube
Brochure: A program brochure, comprising the program, abstracts and speaker biographies, is available from this website.

On this page:

• Summary
• Presentations

Summary

The tumultuous last decade has witnessed a decline in political consensus and a growing perception that our formal institutions of government have failed to tackle fundamental challenges in areas such as climate change and social inequality.

As the 2022 Federal election demonstrated, many Australian communities, corporations, and interest groups have become increasingly active as voices for political change. The ‘Uluru Statement from the Heart’ is one striking example of a community demanding that they be shapers of policy, not just the recipients of what others think should be done.

Such activism builds on a long tradition of community participation in Australia, which has developed a vibrant and extensive not-for-profit sector. There are now more than 50,000 organisations, a million employees, and five million volunteers, providing services and support in many areas of our civil life.

These community and volunteer efforts are essential in managing the immediate and long-term impacts of social and environmental crises including catastrophic fires, droughts, and floods. Successful initiatives have involved local communities collaborating with corporations, businesses, research, and government agencies to find innovative solutions.

This year, the Royal Society of NSW in partnership with Australia’s Learned Academies and under the gracious patronage of Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of New South Wales, will explore this dynamic of communities in action. It will canvass some of the latest research on the factors shaping disparities in social, economic and well-being outcomes for Australians and address four key areas – health, education, infrastructure, and the environment.

The Forum will highlight examples of community collaboration with business, not-for-profit, research, and government organisations to drive meaningful change. It will conclude with a consideration of how greater community participation might impact long-term policy development for the benefit of all Australians.

The Royal Society of NSW acknowledges the generous support of Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of New South Wales, and the Office of the New South Wales Government Chief Scientist and Engineer.

Program and Presentations

The full video recording of each session is accessed by clicking on the YouTube video images, while direct access to each of the speakers’ presentations and segments in the sessions is available through the links shown in the program text.  

Welcome and Official Opening
	Introduction to the Governor and Acknowledgement of Country Dr Susan Pond AM FRSN FTSE FAHMS President, Royal Society of NSW Official Opening Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC Governor of New South Wales Welcome and Acknowledgements Dr Susan Pond AM FRSN FTSE FAHMS President, Royal Society of NSW Introduction to the Program and Moderator Professor Stephen Garton AM FRSN FAHA FASSA Chair, Forum Program Committee Principal Advisor, Office of the Vice-Chancellor and President, University of Sydney Moderator and Rapporteur Emeritus Professor Julianne Schultz AM FAHA Emeritus Professor, Griffith University Chair, The Conversation Media Group
Session I: Setting the Scene
	Emeritus Professor Julianne Schultz AM FAHA Moderator and Rapporteur Professor Richard Holden FASSA Professor of Economics, UNSW Sydney President, Academy of Social Sciences in Australia Alison Frame Deputy Secretary,  Social Policy Group, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet Australian Government Dr Kalinda Griffiths Scientia Lecturer, Centre for Big Data Research in Health UNSW Sydney Dr James O’Donnell Lecturer, School of Demography and ANU Social Cohesion Grand Challenge Australian National University Panel Discussion and Audience Q&A Moderated by Emeritus Julianne Schultz
Session II: Health and Communities
	Emeritus Professor Julianne Schultz AM FAHA Moderator and Rapporteur Bernie Shakeshaft (link to talk summary) Founder and Director BackTrack Youth Works Sally Redman AO Chief Executive Officer Sax Institute Sydney Distinguished Professor Elizabeth Elliott AM FRSN FAHMS Distinguished Professor of Paediatrics and Child Health University of Sydney Professor Maree Teeson AC FAHMS FASSA Professor and Director, The Matilda Centre for Research In Mental Health and Substance Use University of Sydney Panel Discussion and Audience Q&A Moderated by Emeritus Professor Julianne Schultz
Session III: Natural and Built Environment
	Emeritus Professor Julianne Schultz AM FAHA Moderator and Rapporteur Louise Adams FTSE Chief Operating Officer Aurecon Professor David Schlosberg FASSA Professor of Environmental Politics and Director, Sydney Environment Institute University of Sydney Tone Wheeler Principal and Director Environa Studio Angelica Kross Community Activist Panel  Discussion and Audience Q&A Moderated by Emeritus Professor Julianne Schultz
Session IV: Education
	Emeritus Professor Julianne Schultz AM FAHA Moderator and Rapporteur Professor Peter Shergold AC FRSN FASSA Chancellor Western Sydney University Professor Pasi Sahlberg Professor of Education Southern Cross University Professor Kim Beswick Professor of Mathematics Education and Director, Gonski Institute for Education  UNSW (Sydney) Professor Lisa Jackson Pulver AM FRSN Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Strategy and Services) University of Sydney Panel Discussion and Audience Q&A Moderated by Emeritus Professor Julianne Schultz
Session V: Summary and Solutions
	Panel Discussion: Emeritus Professor Julianne Schultz AM FAHA Moderator and Rapporteur Professor Ariadne Vromen FASSA Sir John Bunting Chair of Public Administration, Crawford School of Public Policy Australian National University Professor Lisa Jackson Pulver AM FRSN Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Strategy and Services) University of Sydney followed by a further discussion amongst the panel. Vote of Thanks: Dr Susan Pond AM FRSN FTSE FAHMS President, Royal Society of NSW