Monash looks to 2020

29 April 2008

Monash University leaders have helped shape the long-term strategic direction of the nation, raising their ideas and goals for a better, brighter Australia at the recent 2020 Summit.

Eighteen Monash University leaders, more than 40 alumni and four Monash students were among 1000 people who attended the summit on the weekend of the April 19 and 20.

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

Four key over-arching themes have emerged from 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 Professor John Thwaites 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."

Health was also high on the agenda.

Head of the Department of Health Science Professor Helen Keleher was pleased to see recommendations put forward for the establishment of a Health Equalities Commission and a national health literacy program, two areas she feels very strongly about.

"We need a mechanism to monitor our progress towards closing the gap on Indigenous health outcomes," Professor Keleher said.

Medicine student Michael Loftus agreed. He addressed 100 health delegates at the summit, presenting the ideas from the 2020 Youth Summit on preventative and mental health.

"One of the main concerns from the Youth Summit was the need for a health system that doesn't simply treat illness but actively encourages, promotes and celebrates wellness," Mr Loftus said.

"It was great that one of the main ideas coming out of the Health Stream was the need to establish a national preventative health agency as well as improvements to mental health education in schools."

Director of the Castan Centre for Human Rights Law Professor Sarah Joseph put forward her recommendations for a Federal bill or charter of rights as well as greater media accountability and diversity.

The issues and rights of rural young people was also high on the agenda of Monash Bachelor of Arts Honours student Naomi Godden who attended both the 2020 Youth Summit and the 2020 Summit.

"I was able to contribute my ideas for addressing human rights concerns in rural Australia, in particular ensuring equitable rural access to the education revolution," Ms Godden said.

To access the Federal governments initial report and for further information on the summit visit the Australia 2020 Summit website.