Signs of Change

A national e-conference showcasing transition to sustainability

15-16 November 2010

Christchurch

With local live connections to venues in:

Dunedin, Wellington, Hamilton, Palmerston North, Auckland

One Nation, Two Days, Forty Signs of Change                                                                       

Introduction

The first decade of the 21st Century has confirmed the warnings of the previous fifty years - the historical development path is not sustainable. Air, water, energy, soils, forests, fish... over exploitation enabled by new technology and emboldened by new economies has brought the world's resources, ecosystems, and even the climate to the tipping point. The benefits of profligate energy use, new technology and economic growth are obvious, but the cost is degradation of social fabric and environmental viability.  But change is happening.  The Signs of Change Conference will show-case examples of fundamental change in a wide variety of contexts.

Invitation

You are invited to participate!  The Signs of Change Conference is for engineers, scientists, business people, council workers, educators, students, health workers, farmers, transition town members... anyone who wants to know about initiatives in sustainability.  Our perceptions and expectations of the future are shaped by our experiences.  If we see and hear about signs of change in a direction that is fruitful, restorative, respectful and sustainable, then it can become our reality.  This conference provides and opportunity to make connections, share ideas, and learn what others are doing.

Presentations

Signs of Change Conference will present "Change Reports" by participants and observers who have rigorously measured or described, analysed and/or assessed how a particular change is fundamental to the break-away from 'business-as-usual' and towards sustainability.  We anticipate reports from research, innovation, practice, governance, organisation, social action, education and many other fields. 

Venue

This conference is an innovation in low-carbon conferencing by using video links between six centres: Christchurch, Dunedin, Wellington, Palmerston North, Hamilton and Auckland.

Objectives

This is a first-of-a-kind experiment in connecting people from all walks of life in a show-and-tell discussion format using the latest information and communication technology.  You can be a part of history by participating at your local venue, or by telling the country about a sign of change that you have been part of or have observed.  It's not about what is not sustainable, or what we should change.  This conference is about what the change to a sustainable path for our people looks like.  We are all going to understand better, when we've seen, heard and engaged in the conversation about the signs of change that are happening. 

Be the change you want to see in the world.

                                                                                    Ghandi

Download the Signs of Change conference information flier.

Updated conference information will be posted on this website.  Please visit regularly to stay informed of conference news.