Griffith University: Young entrepreneurs & leaders collaborate for change
Griffith University has partnered with Social Good Outpost and the Young Entrepreneurs & Leaders Speaker Series to deliver Next Gen Policy Change, a week-long program of engaging digital events for students, young professionals and changemakers ahead of the Business Innovation and Improvement in Government (BiiG) Conference in Brisbane.
Dr Elise Stephenson
Curator and Griffith’s 2020 Outstanding Young Alumnus, Dr Elise Stephenson said Next Gen Policy Change would explore topical issues through a series of targeted discussions with key young professionals and experts across the South East Asian region.
“It’s all about exploring the big issues for change around the Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) and having important conversations around ‘what’s next’ for policy across Australia and Southeast Asia,” Dr Stephenson said.
“Some issues—whether environmental, social, or otherwise—can seem insurmountable.
“From climate change, to mental health, youth inclusion, and economic recovery, we are looking to generate ideas around how we can build back better after COVID-19.
“For instance, one of the sessions focuses on how we might use entrepreneurial and policy levers to make change.
“More than ever, the health and prosperity of our communities is linked to the health of workforces, society, and our planet. Moving forward in these uniquely uncertain times will come by exploring entrepreneurship and policy entrepreneurship.”
Inspirational speakers at the event will include
Yip Pin Xiu – Singaporean Paralympian and ex-nominated member of Parliament
Ben Abbatangelo – Storyteller, former professional cricketer and former deputy CEO of AIME
Tiffany McDonald – Australia’s High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam
Hayley McQuire – Co-founder and National Coordinator of the National Indigenous Youth Education Coalition
Virak Ou – one of Cambodia’s most prominent and principled political analysts and human rights activists
Ash Streeter – Founder of Raise Our Voices Australia, named ACT Woman of the Year 2018 and listed in the Forbes 30 Under 30
Cathy Hunt – Executive Director, Women of the World Festival
One of Griffith’s expert voices and Director of the University’s Policy Innovation Hub, Professor Susan Harris Rimmer, will address the opening event on Monday 8 February, where she will frame the next ‘decade of action’.
From helping create the Australian Ambassador for Women and Girls role to driving inclusion at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, Professor Harris Rimmer has been at the forefront of myriad social and policy change.
Professor Susan Harris Rimmer
“Social change in my experience comes from being linked to social movements, understanding megatrends and seizing transitional moments,” Professor Harris Rimmer said.
“I want to help the next generation to be propositional and elevate their ambition, knowing that they have power to effect change.
“We will talk about the set of tools to have in your toolkit, designed to wield influence in the pursuit of human rights.”
Supported by the Australian Government and Australia-ASEAN Council, Next Gen Policy Change will deliver a suite of engaging digital events across the region.
All events are free and open to the public – register in advance or watch on the day via the Facebook Livestream.
Details of all individual speakers can be found at socialgoodoutpost.com/curates/next-gen-policy-change-2/