Technology news and Jobs 
Science Australian 2020 Summit good for World
Science Australian 2020 Summit good for World | Australian 2020 Summit good for World |
|
| by William Atkins | |
| Monday, 21 April 2008 | |
|
Page 1 of 2   
Featured Whitepaper
5 Best Practices for Smartphone Support
Science DiscussionsThe 2020 Summit was held on April 19-20, 2008, in Canberra, Australia. Its goal was “to help shape a long term strategy for the nation’s future.” Ten working groups of one hundred people each discussed one of ten areas of national interest. A comment of the purpose of the Summit was “to shake the tree and see what ideas fall to the ground.” [The Australian: "2020 summit not just another talkfest”] The ten critical areas discussed at the Summit were: economy (education, training, science); economic infrastructure (digital economy); sustainability (population, climate change, water); rural areas (industries, communities); health; social inclusion (families, social communities); indigenous people and services; the arts (film, design); government; and national security. In addition, all Australians were given the chance to voice their opinions at website Open Forum. While at the Summit, Austalian prime minister Kevin Rudd stated, "This has been a very Australian gathering. Can you think of another country in the world where this could happen? I think the reason it's worked ... is because it's been characterised by a whole lot of good humour, a whole lot of mutual respect, and a whole lot of very classical, undeniable Australian directness." Rudd stated that he thought the delegates to the Summit were there to plan for the long term, not simply as a reaction to the short term. He added, "I don't want to wake up one morning in the year 2020 with the regret of not having acted when I had the chance, that's why it's important to plan ahead. I don't want to have to explain to my kids, and perhaps their kids too, that we failed to act, that we avoided the tough decisions, that we failed to prepare Australia for its future challenges." Mr Rudd stated that the Australian government was committed to responding to the recommendations made at the Summit by the end of the year. Rudd clarified, "whether it's a yes, a no, a maybe or with changes". [Sydney Morning Herald: “Online, republican, proud - 2020 vision”] Some of the ideas suggested at the Summit were: 1. Smoking ban by 2020 2. Annual Health and Fitness Test with financial incentives (by the year 2020) 3. Increased costs on unhealthy foods such as junk food 4. Reduced costs for healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables 5. Shift toward preventive medicine 6. Increased emphasis on elder care 7. Expand after-school programs 8. Increase emphasis on physical activity, exercise 9. Discounts for college graduates who live in rural communities 10. Compulsory creative studies in schools 11. Recognizing indigenous Australians in preamble to Constitution 12. Removing duplication and inefficiency between the Commonwealth and the states 13. Facebook-style website allowing users to share health information 14. Redesign of office spaces to ensure all sedentary workers get at least 30 minutes of exercise each day 15. Stairwells to encourage people to walk up to work rather than use the lifts 16. Establishing a "health equalities commission" to ensure all Australians had access to the same levels of care regardless of their location 17. Comprehensive tax reform 18. Simplification of governmental regulation 19. One per cent of each federal department's funding to be earmarked for the arts 20. Standardized national rules for governing transport licensing, standards, roads, rail, and agriculture 21. Opening "one-stop-shops" for children where immunizations, child care and other services could be delivered 22. Artists act as mentors to school students 23. Study of Asian languages and culture Find the 2020 Summit report on the next page. |
| < Next story in category | Previous story in the category > |
|---|
