RCE Western Australia - 2022

UWA Grand Challenges Summit -Tomorrow's World, Better Together
Basic Information
Title of project : 
UWA Grand Challenges Summit -Tomorrow's World, Better Together
Submitting RCE: 
RCE Western Australia
Contributing organization(s) : 
UWA Grand Challenges
United Nations Association of Western Australia
National Energy Resources Australia
Centre of Excellence for Gravitational Wave Discovery (OzGray-UWA)
Millennium Kids
On My Feet
Environmental Defenders Office
Hello Initiative
ULUU
Bikes for Humanity
Focal point(s) and affiliation(s)
Name: 
Chris Kemp
Organizational Affiliation: 
UWA Grand Challenges
E-mail: 
grandchallenges@uwa.edu.au
Name: 
Dr Sonja Kuzich
Organizational Affiliation: 
United Nations Association of Western Australia
E-mail: 
office@unaa-wa.org.au
Name: 
Miranda Taylor
Organizational Affiliation: 
National Energy Resources Australia
E-mail: 
contact@nera.org.au
Name: 
Dr David Blair
Organizational Affiliation: 
Centre of Excellence for Gravitational Wave Discovery (OzGray-UWA)
E-mail: 
david.blair@uwa.edu.au
Name: 
Laura Alvin
Organizational Affiliation: 
On My Feet
E-mail: 
handup@onmyfeet.org.au
Name: 
Catrina Luz Aniere
Organizational Affiliation: 
Millennium Kids Inc
E-mail: 
info@millenniumkids.com.au
Format of project: 
Summit, Keynote, Collaborative Workshops, Network Event, Panel Discussion
Language of project: 
English
Date of submission:
Wednesday, April 20, 2022
Web link: 
https://www.uwa.edu.au/grand-challenges/Home/uwa-grand-challenges-summit
Does this project link to any education and/or sustainable development policy or policies?: 
No
Geographical & Education Information
Region: 
Asia-Pacific
Country: 
Australia
Location(s): 
Perth
Address of focal point institution for project: 
35 Stirling Hwy,
Crawley WA 6009
Ecosystem(s):
Urban/Peri-urban
Target Audience:
Community, Higher, Secondary, Teacher Ed., Youth (Informal)
Business and Government
Socioeconomic and environmental characteristics of the area : 
Although Western Australia itself has a population of 2.6 million, majority of this population is concentrated in the Perth metropolitan area. Located on the south-west coast of WA, Perth is home to a population of residents who come from a diverse range of cultural, religious and language backgrounds. Perth is fairly young, with more than a quarter of its population currently attending an educational institution. Thus, education for sustainable development will have significant impact in helping this young population create a better tomorrow for Western Australia.
Over the years, Perth has shown strong economic growth and development, and has become a hub of knowledge and expertise for energy and resource engineering, technology, mining, marine engineering, and agribusiness.
Perth is known for its nationally significant waterways, aquatic ecosystems and coastlines. Although Perth contains many ecosystems (mostly of aquatic or wetland types), these ecosystems are put at risk due to the effects of climate change. Education for sustainable development is key in combatting the effects of climate change on the unique environments and ecosystems of Perth.
The high concentration of knowledge, expertise and resources in Perth can be harnessed to work towards the SDGs and create a more sustainable future for all.
Description of sustainable development challenge(s) in the area the project addresses: 
Collaboration with others is a crucial actor in fulfilling ESD 2030. Especially since Perth contains a very small population relative to its land mass, connecting people allows social innovation and change to prosper in this remote city. This event allows for the flow of dialogue and ideas pertaining to solving the world's greatest challenges and facilitates networking of NGOs, government, students and other changemakers. By providing a space where this collaboration and communication can be kickstarted, it will allow different people and organisations to find potential collaborators with whom they con work with on current and future projects and initiatives which work towards the SDGs. This allows for the fulfilment of ESD 2030.
Contents
Status: 
Completed
Period: 
February, 2022
Rationale: 
This event will allow students, industry representatives, leaders in business and government, thought leaders, academics and the community to explore the solutions for some of society’s most complex problems. By coming together and engaging in collaborative conversation and activities, it will allow an interdisciplinary approach to be taken in solving society's complex problems as the expertise, knowledge and resources of a diverse range of people will be harnessed in finding solutions to these problems.
Objectives: 
- Showcase initiatives underway at UWA
- Create opportunities for collaborative conversations
- Strengthen and form new partnerships
- Identify new and emerging trends
- Explore innovative solutions
- Activate grassroots student engagement
Activities and/or practices employed: 
The event ran over one day and consisted of keynote speeches, various thematic workshops run by individuals from the relevant field of expertise, a networking lunch, and concluded with a panel discussion [Social Innovation and Enterprise Showcase and Panel Q&R].
The event was open to the wider community and those interested registered for specific activities they wanted to attend.
The opening ceremony was made up of various keynote speeches which focused on understanding the SDGs and the work of UWA Grand Challenges which specifically works towards a more just and equitable world post COVID-19, and Climate Change.
Each workshop focused on an "issue" related to the SDGs:
1. Education for Sustainable Development in Western Australia
2. Conversations about Ethical, Just and Healthy Workplaces
3. UWA’s Plan to be Carbon Neutral
4. Design Jam: Social and Environmental Impact Projects
5. The New Wave of Climate Change Litigation
6. Gender equality, empowerment, and well-being: identifying gaps and strategic opportunities for teaching, research and
action in women’s health
7. COVID-19 vaccination – sharing stories, building strength
8. Language Diversity and Inclusion
9. Innovation – Equitable solutions to unmet health needs
The Social Innovation and Enterprise Showcase and Panel Q&R displayed UWA staff, students and alumni who are leading the way in helping solve some of the world's most complex problems through social innovation and enterprise.
Size of academic audience: 
185
Results: 
The event was a success in general. COVID-19 restrictions did place some pressure on the types and capacity allowed for each event, however, very good feedback was received from the general attendees of the event.
This event left participants feeling motivated and inspired to work towards the solving climate change and a more equitable future.
The hosts of each workshop and stalls at Changemakers Village were able to make valuable connections with those who attended.
Some feedback included:
"The Department of Education: "I have to say my colleague and I absolutely loved the day yesterday. It was so inspirational and we met some amazing people. We are excited to be involved!"
UWA Graduate: "I wanted to reach out and let you know that yesterday was fantastic! The panels, networking, food and coffee - all of it. I really enjoyed the day; Congratulations and well done. I'm very interested in being involved and look forward to more UWA Grand Challenges in the future."
Net Zero Network: "I learned a lot about how lawyers can fight the good fight on climate change in particular. Well done on a great event."
Bicycles for Humanity WA: "We were delighted with the response we had, not only for the sales we made, but equally for the new contacts we made with potential new volunteers and several groups with whom we may collaborate with in future projects.""
Lessons learned: 
It was successful in that it fulfilled the purpose of the event - to allow for flow of innovative ideas and conversation to work towards climate change, a more equitable future for all and other SDGs.
There was some challenge due to the restrictions imposed by COVD-19 related laws. If not for these restrictions, a higher attendance could've been achieved.
It has opened up many opportunities for future collaborations with other organisations both for the RCE WA an for other organisations and individuals who attended.

Pictures:

File Name Caption for picture Photo Credit
Image icon DSC06912-2.jpg (1.87 MB) Bikes for Humanity
Image icon DSC06686 FINAL.jpg (166.77 KB) Keynote Speech Attendance
Image icon DSC07067 (1) FINALL.jpg (517.52 KB) Changemaker Village [1]
Image icon DSC06842 (1) FINALLL.jpg (507.8 KB) Changemaker Village [2]
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
(https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdgs) and other themes of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)
SDG 1 - End poverty in all its forms everywhere 
Indirect
SDG 2 - End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture 
Indirect
SDG 3 - Ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all ages 
Indirect
SDG 4 - Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all 
Direct
SDG 5 - Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls 
Indirect
SDG 6 - Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all 
Indirect
SDG 7 - Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all 
Indirect
SDG 8 - Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all 
Indirect
SDG 9 - Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation, and foster innovation 
Indirect
SDG 10 - Reduce inequality within and among countries 
Indirect
SDG 11 - Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable 
Indirect
SDG 12 - Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns 
Indirect
SDG 13 - Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts 
Indirect
SDG 14 - Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development 
Indirect
SDG 15 - Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification and halt and reverse land degradation, and halt biodiversity loss 
Indirect
SDG 16 - Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels 
Indirect
SDG 17 - Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development 
Direct
ESD for 2030-Priority Action Areas
Priority Action Area 3 - Developing capacities of educators and trainers 
state: 
Indirect
Priority Action Area 4 - Mobilizing youth 
state: 
Indirect
Priority Action Area 5 - Accelerating sustainable solutions at local level 
state: 
Indirect