Your Local Network Update for May 2018
Just a few months into 2018, and the local network events are making quite an impact already. Here are just a few highlights from a variety of dynamic, thought-provoking and strongly attended events held recently.
Sydney: We saw the partner event with the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) attract a sell-out crowd as we discussed the changes to the EP&A act and what it means for community and stakeholder engagement. Watch the recording here.
Brisbane: We explored the topic, “What do we mean when we say community engagement?” There was no shortage of passionate views about whether we should speak aspirationally (‘in the ideal world…’) or be true to the more realistic situation which acknowledges that ‘you sometimes have to go with less than perfect’. We all agreed that how you pitch community engagement is going to be shaped by who is asking. We also concluded that community engagement is very diverse, and over time has morphed and grown – and is changing still.
Darwin: Hosted by Menzies School of Health Research, the Darwin local network focused on the theme of remote engagement sharing learnings and resources for assisting engagement activities in remote Aboriginal communities.
Cairns: Welcomed Julie Heath from Energy Qld as special guest speaker to share on thematic communication and how it was used to drive engagement in the successful Townsville Queensland Solar City project on Magnetic Island.
Melbourne: Our eyes were cast to the future generations as Georgie Meyer, City of Melbourne, was guest speaker focusing on engagement methods used to develop the Pauline Gandel Children’s Gallery at Melbourne Museum, a space for babies to five-year-olds and the techniques used for engaging young children in the development of City of Melbourne’s Community Plan Future Melbourne 2026 and other projects.
We also saw our Board and CEO attend and host various events as they moved across the country meeting and connecting with our members and networks while seeking feedback and providing updates on the 2018-2019 Strategic Plan.
In the months ahead we look forward to reporting back on local network activities in Hobart, Newcastle, Canberra, and in New Zealand in Auckland, Wellington Christchurch. Also, welcome to the Ipswich and Port Macquarie networks who have just recently kicked off.
We invite everyone to become involved in the following upcoming Local Area Network activities. Save the date now, and watch out for further information coming your way very shortly.
- Perth – Wednesday 23 May
- Brisbane – Thursday 31 May
- Melbourne – Tuesday 5 June, Wednesday 18 July and Wednesday 21 November
- Cairns – Tuesday 12 June
- North East Victoria (Wangaratta) – Thursday 18 July
Disclaimer: The Local Area Network events are correct at the time of publication. Please be advised that changes to these events may be required without notice.
We are also in the final stages of launching a Social Centre Platform – where our local networks can chat amongst themselves about upcoming events planned for the area – and keep connected with community engagement professionals in their area.
If you would like more information on your IAP2 Australasia local networks please contact Nichola Charman, Membership Coordinator at nichola@iap2.org.au