I’ve been fortunate enough to be invited to attend Future Summit in Melbourne over the next two days. It’s exciting, imposing and slightly intimidating, and I’m proud to be a part of it.
Future Summit is associated with the Davos World Economic Forum, granting significant weight to it’s purpose. From it’s website, it sets out the following aims;
- Promoting business excellence by encouraging policy debate on global issues;
- Improving the quality of leadership;
- Enhancing Australia’s position in the region and the world;
- Encouraging Australian leaders to help improve the quality of life of all Australians;
- Encouraging Australia to play a responsible, and leadership role where appropriate, within the global community; and
- Exposing Australian leaders to international experts and key international leaders.
Ambitious, yes. And well worth the stretch.
So what am I doing here? What’s my role in this summit? I, and a number of my industry friends, were invited by the organisers of the Future Summit to both represent the digital world and to act as an amplifier. We’ve been tasked with blogging (like this) and tweeting (like this). Yes, Twitter is (so) hot right now, and it’s reasonably predictable that it would get on the list of ways to increase the interaction of the summit with the rest of the world. However, it still takes some courage. Twitter and blogging, and especially the very outspoken set of bloggers and twitterers that were invited is instant, public and often closer to a mob mentality than a structured debate.
I’m very glad they did. Not only is digital media the future of how people converse, it’s also the way that our future leaders already talk. The generation gap, while coming together in some ways, the difference in fundamental communication methods and speeds is one of the ways where the chasm is widening. Summits, forums, conferences and traditional, controlled media doesn’t engage Australians aged 15-30. By the time the plans discussed today come to fruition, it will be this group that will be our PrimeMinister’s (or Presidents), our CEOs, our Police Chiefs, our scientists, our teachers, our mayors and our parents. It’s important we take the conversation to them.
OK, yes, I’m not actually in that age group, and I think of the Twitter Posse here at #futuresummit only includes two people in that range. Hopefully by utilising some of the tools they use, we can increase the exposure of the issues and ideas from Future Summit.
Decisions are made by those who turn up. I’m glad I’m here and I’m glad that we’re reaching out to a broader group, and a younger demographic to work (hard) for an inspiring future.
It’s just started this morning. I’m in the back. Laptop open. Twitter open. Camera ready. And my ears tuned in and my mind open. Please spread the word and more importantly, participate. Speak up and have your say. I hope we can be positive, optimistic, excited and constructive. There is a lot at stake.