Australian Future Directions Forum

 
 
 

 

 

Home > About the Forum

About the Forum

The Concept

Over 80 people, under - or close to - 40 years old, have been invited to participate in a Future Directions Forum on the basis of their potential to play a leadership role in Australia over the next 15-20 years.

This concept draws heavily on the experience of an important and successful conference held at La Trobe University in 1980 under the leadership of the then Australian Frontier, an organisation that evolved from the Australian Council of Churches.

Objectives

The key objectives of the Forum are to:

  • enable emerging leaders/opinion leaders and decision makers to consider longer-term issues outside the concerns, interests and constraints of their current contexts and constituencies

  • deepen relationships, share values and enhance mutual understanding of potential leaders across socio-economic, cultural, ideological and occupational boundaries, and in so doing enhance future dialogue and decision making; and

  • generate ideas and activities for concrete actions that lead towards desired futures.

If considered successful such a Forum could be convened periodically to reach continuing waves of 'future leaders'. Alumni meetings could also be held to maintain momentum.

Time and Location

The first Forum meeting will be held between 5-8 February 2006 at the Sebel Heritage in the Yarra Valley. It will be a residential program away from distractions (a social island).

Governance Arrangements

Australia Post, BHP Billiton, the National Australia Bank, Qantas and Telstra are the sponsors of the Forum.

A Steering Committee of senior representatives (Chairmen and Managing Directors) from sponsoring organisations was appointed to monitor governance and implementation.

Professional support has been provided by Dr Michael Henry of The Strategy Shop who was Program Director of the organisation that ran the 1980 event.

A Management Committee comprising Dr Michael Henry, Mr Geoff Allen from the Allen Consulting Group and Mr Robert Hadler, General Manager, Group Corporate Affairs, National Australia Bank, has met regularly to oversee the arrangements for the Forum.

A small part-time Forum secretariat has been established within the Allen Consulting Group headed by Ms Margaret Portelli.