Building local autonomy, capacity and decision-making Localism: A Policy and Enterprise Conference Melbourne 24-25 March 2014 Exploring local initiatives, innovations, and decision-making and the policy and enterprise agenda to support them Local economic development Local produce and markets Local planning and zoning Local savings and investments Transport and Infrastructure Local leadership and activism Local governance Local government Invitation to Participate in a Conference on Localism Around the world, localism is on the rise. It is a response to globalism, the centralisation of the economy, and the sameness of cultures in mass media and mass markets. It is driven by the imperative of low-cost sustainability, the yearning for community belonging, and the connectivity brought by online technology. Australias tyranny of distance has been partially conquered by the internet. Small scale production and home-based industry can be connected with customers and markets without the high-cost middle men of the past. Local energy generation is becoming affordable without a centralised grid. Individual budgets in social policy allow for the design of tailored supports to fit local circumstances. Models of local governance are emerging, complementing the formal structures of municipalities. Community-based leadership is emerging without the constraints imposed by distant and centralised political parties. This conference aims to explore these trends and develop a policy and enterprise agenda that can support these various expressions of localism. It will examine the potential of localism for renewal of economies and community belonging. It will also explore the limits of localism, and examine optimal arrangements for integration of local aspirations with state and national priorities. Call for Contributions Papers, discussions, and workshops are invited which examine the emergence of local initiatives, innovations and decision-making, and the policy and enterprise agenda needed to support them. Contributions are invited which address this theme across various sectors, in both rural and regional as well as urban settings. We are interested in: Case studies of innovative local initiatives and ventures Case studies of innovative policy initiatives and partnerships Localist approaches to funding and budgeting Innovations in local governance and accountability Innovations in whole-of-community problem-solving Localist applications of web2 technology Localist innovations in democracy and organisation of community voice Methods of making competition work for small communities and small businesses Localist applications of collaboration and mutualism Rediscovery of localist philosophies - communitarianism, distributism and mutualism Expressions of interest in presenting a paper or workshop or proposal should be forwarded by 31 January 2014, in no more than 300 words, using this online form. REGISTER HERE SUBMIT HERE The Centre for Civil Society The Centre for Civil Society is a social innovation and public policy institute which aims to empower ordinary people and strengthen civil society. Further information is available here. Participants are invited to participate in our network in their federal electorate groups around Australia to: - take local initiatives and hold local events - campaign on issues that are ignored by governments and politicians; and - develop ideas for social and political change and empowerment of ordinary people. There is no cost to join and participate. Join up here. CLICK HERE to send in your comments and feedback. Enquiries: Vern Hughes 03 5629 8400 0425 722 890 [email protected]
Posted on: Mon, 27 Jan 2014 23:27:40 +0000
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