Conference Themes
LEADING CHANGE towards living for one planet
Our future is dependent upon ecological sustainability, there is a growing awareness of the need to challenge many of the economic, social and political assumptions that undermine our capacity to act with hope towards a desired future. This is a conference to inspire commitment to personal and collective action arising out of critical thinking and reflection needed to challenge these assumptions. The conference planning committee hopes that everyone who comes to the conference will be inspired to pursue a more satisfying lifestyle that has minimal impact on the environment and enables us to explore our interconnectedness with each other species in the built and natural environment.
LEADING CHANGE through the integration of education for ecologically sustainable development into Australian lifestyles
Development which aims to meet the needs of Australians today, while conserving our ecosystems for the benefit of future generations is part of the promise of the National Strategy for Ecologically Sustainable Development and Education for All as expressed in the Bonn Declaration 2009 (http://www.esd-world-conference-2009.org/fileadmin/download/ESD2009_BonnDeclaration080409.pdf)
Achieving this involves learning how to make decisions that integrate the long term future of the natural environment, the economy and the well-being of all communities. Resilience enables communities to thrive in challenging situations through enhancing social capital to act for the future and participate in decision making. The AAEE2010 Conference will provide the opportunity to examine successful environmental education initiatives that encourage behavioural change and address the aims of the Bonn Decleration.
LEADING CHANGE by narrowing the gap through reducing our ecological footprint, sharing resources and reducing inequality
The 2010 conference seeks progress in achieving equity through addressing the skills, attitude and knowledge needed by all sections of the community to achieve the shared goal of sustainability. Through different cultural perspectives we seek insight, knowledge and skills to reduce exhaustion of natural resources and develop equity of access to the basic necessities of life. Climate change and habitat destruction are development issues requiring a deep understanding of the implications of our actions.
“The people who are in the position to make decisions are not the people who will have to live with the consequences - this is disempowering”... Esther 2008
In designing and achieving a fair future for all it is vital to combine the wisdom of our elders with the voice of youth. Young people from tertiary institutions, schools and ACT Youth Ambassadors are involved in developing a significant youth component in the conference. Ways of envisioning and achieving a sustainable future will be demonstrated by young participants in panels, workshops and as keynote speakers.
LEADING CHANGE by promoting partnerships to develop a new green workforce
The transformations required to adapt and mitigate climate change creates opportunities for learning, training and employment.
‘There are more jobs in building and operating the solutions to climate change than there are in the
industries and operations that are causing it’. Climate Action Network Australia
The Australian Association for Environment Education 2010 Conference is uniquely positioned to deliver opportunities for the formal education sector (pre-schools; government and non-government primary and secondary schools; and post-school institutions such as universities and TAFE), business and industry to discuss and examine strategies to build the capacity of the workforce to acquire skills for achieving a sustainable future. The conference will encourage the business, industry and formal education sectors to develop partnerships and work in collaboration to ensure Australia has a workforce qualified to set up new directions in business, government, community organisations and education to meet the challenges of climate change and to achieve our aim of building a sustainable world.