July 29, 2014

Symposium kick starts new wave of collaboration

Approximately 150 people filled the lecture theatre when Professor Michael Cuthill delivered his keynote speech at the Community Engagement Symposium on 24 August.

“Why is community engagement important?,” Professor Cuthill, an expert in community-based research based at the University of Southern Queensland, asked.

“Because you get better outcomes by working together,” he said.

Professor Cuthill’s message was reinforced throughout the day as other keynote speakers shared their own experiences and views on community engagement. Local community members and representatives from business, industry and not-for-profit communities attended the symposium while countless more tuned into the conversation via Twitter.

The inaugural Community Engagement Symposium, ‘Engage Today/Transform Tomorrow’, was intended to kick-start a new wave of collaboration with UOW and the community.

UOW Community Engagement Manager, Tara Loty, said she was overwhelmed by the level of response to the symposium.

Guest keynote speakers included: Shamal Dass, Director of Philanthropic services at private wealth management firm JBWere, an expert on the subject of creating shared value, the evolution of capitalism and corporate behaviour; Kimberley Abbott, founder and CEO of ROKA.

UOW keynote speakers include: Journalism lecturers Shawn Burns and Dr Siobhan McHugh; health professionals Associate Professor Karen Charlton and Dr Karen Walton; social transformation researcher Dr Craig Lundy; and researcher Professor Ian Buchanan.

Join the continuing conversation on Twitter with @communityuow via #engageuow.