Working together for a sustainable future

UNSW academics are playing a key role in a landmark conference on environmental sustainability, which it is hoped will bring about new partnerships between academics, governments and practitioners in sustainability.

Professor Garry Smith, the Director of the Institute of Environmental Studies (IES) at UNSW, is one of the plenary speakers at the conference, Beyond Declarations – Working Partnerships for Sustainability, to be held from the 16 to 18 March 2005 at the Manly Pacific Hotel, Sydney. Professor Smith is also the President of the Baton Forum, an Australian network of sustainability practitioners working in government, academia and with local communities, which is organising the event.

“This is significant because it is the first national conference addressing actions in sustainability,” said Professor Smith. “We hope that new collaborations will be built and that academics will have new opportunities for linkage grants.”

Another UNSW academic, Dr Robert Gale, also from the IES, will give a joint presentation on “Education for Sustainability: A Partnership Initiative of The Sydney Coast Council Group”.

“UNSW has such a good reputation for developing actions and technological approaches in the community,” said Professor Smith. “It is a great opportunity to turn this towards sustainability.”

The delegates to the conference include environmental scientists, town planners, staff from local and state governments, academics and strategic planning managers.

For more information visit: http://www.gemspl.com.au/sustain2005/