The Australian Academy of Science is convening an eclectic group of 60 of the country’s most eminent thinkers from a diverse range of disciplines at the Shine Dome in Canberra this week to plan for the future of Australia.
Former politicians, federal court judges and scientists are amongst the participants in a two day workshop, on 23 and 24 October, as part of phase two of the Australia 2050 Project which aims to discuss several living scenarios for Australia and how science can play a role informing these scenarios.
The Australia 2050 Project Convenor, Academy Council member and CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research Scientist, Dr Mike Raupach, says it’s important to have an open dialogue about the direction Australia is heading.
"A fundamental challenge for Australia, as for any society, is to shape a future that is uncertain, contested, and ultimately shared," Dr Raupach said.
"Grappling with these realities is only possible through conversation, at national scale and over a prolonged period."
The Australia 2050 Project was initiated in 2010 to bring together a group of scientists and thinkers to consider how science could contribute to thinking about possible futures for Australia in a global context.
The first phase of the project led to the publication of a book titled Negotiating our future: living scenarios for Australia to 2050. Phase two will explore how to put the living scenarios into action, to help to clarify what questions about the future Australians are asking, and how science can contribute most effectively to addressing those questions.
Workshop delegates include:
Ms Amanda Vanstone – Former Liberal Senator and Australian Ambassador to Italy
Professor Brian Schmidt – Academy Council member and Nobel Laureate, Australian National University
Dr Joshua Bishop – World Wildlife Fund Australia
Justice Nye Perram – Federal Court of Australia
Ms Margaret Flindlater-Smith – National Council of Women of Australia
Ms Vanessa Cavanagh – Australian Indigenous Natural and Cultural Heritage Management and Conservation
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