Community development professionals will hold their national conference ‘Riding the Rapids of Change: Skills and Values for Developing Cohesive, Just and Vibrant Communities’ at the Sheraton Hotel in Perth from 20-23 March 2001.
Staged by the Local Government Community Services Association of Australia (LGCSAA), together with the Local Government Community Services Association of Western Australia, the conference is expected to attract hundreds of professionals from Local Governments throughout Australia.
Managers, executive managers and CEOs will make up the majority of the attendees, followed closely by elected members and officers.
The predominance of higher management and elected members reflects the increasing importance of community development in Local Government.
Nearly every Council now employs at least one community development officer and many maintain large departments.
Community development encompasses areas as diverse as welfare, festivals, disability access, NESB issues, Aboriginal reconciliation, heritage, community spirit, economic development, recreation, youth issues, local democracy and the use of Council facilities.
The diversity of roles undertaken by community development professionals reflects the diversity of needs in our communities, and their changing nature.
To keep abreast of the latest changes, the newest policy and the most engaging issues, the conference organisers have attracted world class presenters.
Dr Amareswar Galla, a policy and cultural equity specialist, will present the opening address on ‘Leadership and Local Governance’, followed by Sister Veronica Brady speaking on ‘A Return to the Heart: Reclaiming Values, Ethics and Social Responsibility’.
Other speakers include Steven C. Ames, a consulting planner and futurist from the USA; Anne Dunn, CEO of the City of Port Phillip in Victoria;, Mike Salvaris, Senior Research Fellow at Swinburne’s Institute for Social Research; and David Palmer, program coordinator of the new community development program at Murdoch University.
Further information about the conference can be obtained from the conference organisers, Event Edge, telephone (08) 9489 4800 or wendy@eventedge.com.au.
