Monash community looks to 2020

May 2008

The Monash University community has helped shape the long-term strategic direction of Australia at the recent 2020 Summit.

More than 40 Monash alumni, 18 Monash University leaders, and four Monash students were among 1,000 people who attended the summit on the weekend of the 19-20 April.

The summit was designed to harness the best ideas from leaders of Australia’s cultural, intellectual, business and sporting arenas in an effort to shape a long-term strategy for the country.

Four over-arching themes were identified in the Federal Government's preliminary report on the summit: climate change; strengthening civil society; developing people; and a national approach.

Monash Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Edwina Cornish applauded summit organisers, saying it was a new way to approach long-term strategic planning for the nation.

"I think the main themes coming out of the summit will also help organisations such as Monash in their long-term thinking," Professor Cornish said.

Professor Cornish said Monash had a strong commitment to improving collaboration between industry and research to foster innovation and supporting excellence in education, health, social cohesion and sustainability.

"How we as a nation respond to climate change was obviously a big talking point of the summit," Professor Cornish said.

"The recently established Monash Sustainability Institute brings together economists, lawyers and environmentalists in an effort to address, not only Monash's own environmental objectives, but also our community's sustainability challenges."

Monash Sustainability Institute Chairman and Monash alumnus Professor John Thwaites (BSc 1978 , LLB(Hons) 1981) raised three goals for the nation to work towards: improvements in energy efficiency resulting in carbon neutral commercial and residential buildings by 2020, climate-proofing one million low-income homes within the next five years; and more efficient harvesting of stormwater.

"The summit took up two of the ideas that I put forward," said Professor Thwaites.

"This provides a great opportunity for the Monash community to implement the accepted ideas and to keep pushing until all three are realised."

Monash alumni participating in the event, by 2020 Summit topic area:

A long-term national health strategy

• Dr Catherine Crock (MBBS 1981)
• Dr Anna Howe (PhD 1983)
• Mr Jonathon Kruger (MPH 2002)

Australia's future security and prosperity in a rapidly changing region and world

• Associate Professor Santina Bertone (BA(Hons) 1982)
• Chief Commissioner Christine Nixon (HonLLD 2005)
• Associate Professor Sharon Pickering (GradCertHE 2005)*
• Mr John Richardson (GradDipEnvSci 1994)
• Associate Professor David Wright-Neville (BEc(Hons) 1988, MEc 1992)*

Future directions for rural industries and rural communities

• Mr John Fisher OAM (DipTaxLaw 1985)
• Ms Catherine McGowan AO (BA 1976)
• Mr Sidney Myer (BEc 1979, GradDipMktg 1983)

Future directions for the Australian economy

• Mr Don Argus AO (HonLLD 1995)
• Mr Gary Banks AO (BEc(Hons) 1972)
• Ms Margaret Jackson AC (BEc 1973, HonLLD 2002)
• Ms Helene Teichmann (BA 1976)

Future of Australian Governance

• Mr Julian Burnside QC (LLB 1973, BEc 1972)
• Professor Sarah Joseph (PhD 2003)*
• Ms Katherine Sampson (BA 1981, LLB 1983)

Options for the future of Indigenous Australia

• Ms Janina Gawler (BA 1974, Dip Ed 1975)

Population, sustainability, climate change and water

• Dr Grant Blashki (MBBS(Hons) 1991, MD 2003)
• Professor Tim Flannery (1981 MSc)
• Professor David Karoly (BSc (Hons) 1977)
• Professor Amanda Lynch (BSc(Hons) 1987)*
• Ms Robyn McLeod (DipEd 1980, BEd 1987)
• Mr George Pappas (BEc(Hons) 1968)
• Ms Claire Penniceard (BA(Hons) 1966, DipEd 1967, MEd 1978)
• Mr Bernard Salt (MA 1985)
• Professor The Honourable John Thwaites (BSc 1978, LLB(Hons) 1981)

Strengthening communities, supporting families and social inclusion

• Ms Vivienne Amery (BSc(Hons) 1980)
• Associate Professor Chris Chamberlain (PhD 1983)
• Mr Tony Nicholson (BA 1979, BSocWk 1983)

The Productivity Agenda (education, skills, training, science and innovation)

• Ms Michelle Bissett (GradDipIndEmpRel 2004, MIndEmpRel 2007)
• Ms Patricia Faulkner (MAdmin 1994)
• Mr Andrew Norton (BA 1990, LLB 1991)
• Mr Anthony Pratt (BEc(Hons) 1982)
• Mr Bill Scales AO (BEc 1985)
• Ms Rosa Storelli (MEdSt 1992)

Towards a creative Australia

• Ms Phoebe Dunn (BA 1991, LLB(Hons) 1994)
• Mr Andrew Kay (BTech 1998)
• Ms Ana Kokkinos (BA 1981, LLB 1983)
• Ms Jan Minchin (BA 1979)
  

* Alumni and current Monash staff members

Note: If you were a participant in the 2020 Summit and would like to be added to this list, please contact Alumni Relations via email