Oceania Futures and Foresight Symposium - Meanjin (Brisbane Australia)

Hello - we are at capacity and ticket sales end 22 February - please contact Dr Elissa Farrow if you would like to be placed on a waiting list drelissafarrow@gmail.com

We invite futurists and foresight practitioners across Oceania (and those curious to learn more) to bring their knowledge and practical foresight and listening skills to this community-building event. 

Why Attend the Oceania Futures Symposium? This event is your chance to connect, learn, and shape the future with a diverse group of like-minded professionals. You will hear from over 20 speakers and contributors and receive a playbook of materials and presentations. This symposium is a unique event and the first time it has been held ever with an Oceania focus. Our aim is to create a model that can be adapted across Oceania, independent of any one association.

Our program as of 13th of Feb - https://sites.google.com/view/oceaniasymposium/home

Day 1 - Grounding in Tradition, Expanding Our Future Horizons

Day 1 Opening Keynote -  Aboriginal Perspectives - Intergenerational Knowledge and Connections - Strengthening Futures with Cultural Integrity (Aunty Denise Proud and Monique Proud)

Panel Discussion: Oceania Perspectives - Speakers: Huw Jones (Indigenous wisdom), Cheryl Doig (Intergenerational), Mike McAllum (Aqua futures), Marcus Bussey (Spirit and Neohumanism) Fabrice Teuguia (Social Media) moderated by Steph Clarke.

Breakout Sessions: diverse approaches to foresight, blending cultural, environmental, and interactive elements.

• Dr. Trish Lavery – "Geoengineering Futures: A Live-Action Role-Playing Experience - Immersive exploration of climate governance.
• Katy Cooper and Steph Clarke– "Futures of Well-Being and Healthy Living." - Sensory and experiential exploration of health and future possibilities.
• Dr Marcelle Holdaway – "Advancing Images of Human-Nature Relationships." - Explores relationships through visualisation and Causal Layered Analysis.

• Dr Camila Mozzini-Alister - The Voices of (and for) Futures - Explores the transformative potential of marginalised voices – in shaping inclusive and sustainable futures

• Dr. Hafsa Ahmed – "Ka mua, ka muri: Walking Backwards into the Future." -Reflective tools for personal futures inspired by Māori wisdom.
• Shermon Cruz – "Rivers of Tomorrow: Dreams and Disruptions Game." - Focuses on sustainability and urban-river ecosystems.

Day 1 Closing Keynote Address - Helen Penridge, Dr. Marcus Bussey with Dr. Liz Znidersic -Reimagining time, cause and space in collaboration with the Eastern Curlew

Day 2: Collective Wisdom and Action for a Shared Future

Welcome and Focus of the Day - Facilitator: Michelle Newell (Storytelling expert) and Open Space Facilitation

Breakout Sessions: diverse approaches to foresight, blending cultural, environmental, and interactive elements.

1. Dr. Steven Lichty – "Pause, Reflect, and Create: Addressing Hope and Resilience."
   • Focus on community well-being and foresight.
2. Dr. Clarice Garcia – "Imagining Sociocultural Futures Through Fashion Artefacts."
   • Innovative methods for exploring cultural transformations.
3. Huw Jones – "The Futures Compass: Navigating the Foreseeable Future."
   • Combines indigenous navigation techniques with mindfulness practices.

Art Session - Marguerite Westacott – "Futures Senses in Practice: Art and Embodied Knowing." An interactive session using art-making techniques to explore futures senses, based on Marguerite’s research. This is part 1 of a two part process which continues in the afternoon.

Whole Group Discussion - Facilitators: Dr. Kimberly Camrass and Dr. Anne Kovachevich - Regenerative Futures.

Futures Insight to Action - Facilitators: Parika Verma and Dr. Trish Lavery.

Closing Key Note – Speaker: Dr. Cheryl Doig - Collective wisdom and intergenerational ambition.

Join us to co-create a future that reflects Oceania's values and aspirations. Connect, collaborate, and commit to making a tangible difference for the future of our communities.

Note: This event is driven by the futures community’s desire for collaboration and is organized by volunteers committed to fostering these important conversations. As this is a non-profit event, with no corporate or institutional sponsor we kindly ask that you cover your own travel, accommodation, and conference fees. All speakers are kindly donating their time and covering their costs. This fee covers basic catering, venue costs, and administration, keeping the event accessible and sustainable. It is not associated with any professional association or university. 

We acknowledge that we live, work and create on unceded land of the Jagera, Yugura, Yugarpul and Turrabul people. We pay respect to elders past, present and emerging.

Contact Dr Elissa Farrow on +61407025804 or drelissafarrow@gmail.com for offers of assistance or special group ticket deals.