Looking out to & for the future Anne Somerville G21 Region Alliance VCOSS Congress 2009

Looking out 15 years from now… …how do we perceive our future? Liveability Sustainability Productivity

Quality of life is improving Quality of life is deteriorating Already have the best of possible worlds Building a better world Good as it gets so continue to endure Do your best with what is available Change via major forces Change via individual

Outlook affects looking out…to the multiple futures Business as usual Not much different to now, just later…and if nothing changes, then nothing changes…same will happen Possible Open to potential change & uncertainties and what “could happen” Plausible Likelihood – what “might happen” Preferable what we want to happen – any of above

Global …transformational change Population 95% up in developing countries: ie youth bulges Growing middle class, declining birth rate in West Gender, indigenous, cultural, and ethnicity issues Governance & Security Western democracy not evolving as political structure of choice Rise of non state actors that impact across borders, less control via government, post Americanism era International financial systems Redefined regions of power: India, China, Brazil, Russia Paradigm shifts Global alliances, cultural relativism & authoritarian regimes Free flow of capital, goods, people & increased impact of networks Consequence management & central authority of international organisations Celebrity Philanthropy

Global …more transformational change Health, Food & Water Availability, shortages & maldistribution Energy supplies & impacts - the problem of plenty From pandemics to personal wellbeing metrics Communications & Technology Diffusion of IT, communications, nano and bio technologies Economic and digital divides Social networking - Google, Twitter and Facebook

National …the world’s best place to live and do business… Economy & Productivity  Infrastructure, investment, IT platforms  Policy response to climate change  Demographic transitions: population ageing, industry trends  Healthy workplaces, skills development, collaborations across sectors  Innovation & research National/Regional Security  Globally intelligent and integrated partners with Asia Pacific region  Global respect as a regional leader and model citizen Climate Change & Sustainability  Leader in green economy & role in global response  Resilient water, ecological systems, trading schemes  Population policy & immigration programs

National at the leading (reform) edge… Governance  Republicanism, rights & reconciliation, citizen engagement  Emphasis on modernising federation  Regionally based collaborative governance models – cross sector Health & Housing  Health status & health equity for all  Evidence and outcomes based practice & systems  ‘Smart Health’: preventative, integrated, person centric  Radical reform in housing sector Social Inclusion  Inclusion infrastructure across government  Education & training - skills development to find leading edge  Focus on child development as success indicator  Wellness footprints: socio-economic & infrastructure planning

Regional - State system reform & risk negotiators Benchmark of ‘A Fairer Victoria’ Principles of liveability, sustainability and productivity Differing generational and locational experiences of risk Need for indicators beyond system monitors Negotiating benefits through cooperative federalism Significant demographic shifts & challenges to equity Waves of transformation in the health, housing & education Unknown costs & impacts of GFC – local economies in transition

G21 towards 2050 Five Key Directions Protect and enhance our environment Create sustainable settlements Strengthen our communities Refocus our economy Make it happen

Some obvious challenges to our flexibility and focus  Strengthen our commitment to build the necessary capability & skills to create a shared, desired future  Stay in touch with, and be touched by, our communities  Recognise the tension of vested interests that may bring more system reform, but less positive social change  Adapt the resources including ourselves to build social equity for individuals, families and communities in their quality of life

Some obvious challenges to our flexibility and focus  Build new coalitions & alliances, and know when to take independent versus collective action  Build strategy that strengthens the politics of hope, innovation and creativity across boundaries and sectors  Be mindful of the legacy for the next generation in our goals for positive change

Hope… cannot be separated from how national debates are framed and from the reality of living in a globalised world…. …it is built on belief and faith, and the trust that there is a life worth living in uncertain times. ‘New philosophies for change’ Mary Zournazi, 2002