AFGW-ACT Inc. is a member of the Australian Federation of Graduate Women which, in turn is affiliated with the International Federation of University Women (I.F.U.W.).

 
 

AFUW-ACT Inc. Meeting Report


Speaker: Emeritus Professor Bob Douglas

Emeritus Professor Bob Douglas gave us a most stimulating talk on a new initiative to bring together the best thinkers in the country to work out solutions to the many complex problems Australia is facing. Bob had worked with a Canadian Research group to see what and how they were tackling their problems.

Our world is a globalised one working with a neo-liberal economic paradigm. Our Universities are dominated by the need for economic gratification. The public mind is dominated by thoughts about over-population, climate change, environmental deterioration, terrorism, and consumerism. These topics need to be explored.
Australia 21 aims to build networks of outstanding thinkers and researchers from Universities, the private and government sectors so they can pool their talents to work towards solutions of our large unsolved problems.

THREE THEMES -

  1. Australians in Society
  2. Australians in the Landscape
  3. Australians in the World



AUSTRALIANS IN SOCIETY
This network is looking at pathways to well-being and the realisation of the potential for young Australians. Richard Eckersley is in charge and is working in collaboration with the University of Melbourne. From longitudinal studies they are learning how to make Australia user friendly; this is a very diverse disciplinary network. The first phase of policy implications is nearly complete. The next stage is how the young develop values - an epidemiology of values.

AUSTRALIANS IN THE LANDSCAPE
Areas being explored are

  1. Australia’s future energy options - the leader is Dr Graeme Pearlman of Monash University.
  2. Living planet and ecological resilience
  3. Productive and resilient ecosystems - leader Professor Mike Archer, Mr. Peter Ampt of University of New South Wales.
This network has brought together heads of agricultural courses, farmers, foresters, et al. Environmental sustainability of farms and the thinking about science and policy together is what is aimed at.

FUTURE ENERGY OPTIONS - This group has both a climate scientist and a social scientist. They are pursuing six questions - anticipated growth in demand for energy, Emission targets to meet climate change requirements, governance and legal requirements, and economic well-being.

LIVING PLANET AND ECOLOGICAL RESILIENCE - There are biologists, Physical scientists and social scientists working together to develop a realistic vision for Australia’s carrying capacity, ecosystems, food produce system, use and distribution of the land for year 2050.

PRODUCTIVE AND RESILIENT ECOSYSTEMS - Land and water scientists, ecologists. landholders, agricultural policy makers and community are exploring new ways of making agricultural land both productive and resilient.

AUSTRALIA IN THE WORLD - What are the best ways of enhancing Australia’s security, stability and prosperity in the 21st century? Professor Ross Buckley of Bond University is leading this network. A core business here is building national inter institutional and Interdisciplinary frameworks for understanding the challenges ahead.

Australia 21 is non ideological and independent. There are major uncertainties and challenges ahead so innovation and new approaches are needed. It is all about the search for sustainability. A book just published -- “In search of Sustainability” -- covers the work of this important think tank so far.

AUSTRALIA 21 IS FINANCED BY DONATIONS - IT HAS A SMALL OFFICE IN Weston. Its honorary board and advisory groups meet by teleconference. Website and internet usage costs about $5000 annually; each teleconference costs about $200.

To help them create tomorrow -- payments can go to -
Australia 21 Limited,
P0 Box 3244,Weston ACT 2611.
Phone - 6288 0823 Fax: 02 6288 0823
Email - office@australia21.org.au
Web - www.australia21.org.au