Framing the future with optimism
A future coloured by optimism is one worth building for.
Constructing this positive vision of the future, with all its creative potential, is the aim of the region’s first Optimism Festival.
To be held in Armidale on September 1-2, the Spring Into Optimism Festival explores the role of optimism in framing the region’s future prospects and how communities should respond to those prospects.
The discussion will be led by Victor Perton, Chief Optimist from the Centre for Optimism. The Centre coordinates a movement “supporting realistic and infectiously optimistic leaders to be beacons in the fog of pessimism and cynicism”.
UNE’s SMART Region Incubator (SRI), Armidale Regional Council, NBNCo and SQNNSW Innovation Hub are collaborating with the Optimism Centre on the Festival.
The partners recognise that the region has been through a series of unprecedented challenges over the past few years, and that more challenges are likely ahead – but with an optimistic outlook, renewal and growth is possible.
Given the theme, the Festival fittingly begins on the first day of spring. It comprises four discrete events, each of which can be attended separately.
The Festival starts with a breakfast at the New England Regional Art Museum (NERAM) to be addressed by Mr Perton. A barrister, former parliamentarian and ambassador, and founder of the Australian Leadership Project, Mr Perton has addressed audiences worldwide about his investigations into the power of optimistic leadership.
In the late morning, the proceedings will move to the SRI’s NOVA space for a two hour discussion on “What makes you optimistic about economic development in our region?”, led by Mr Perton.
In the evening, the Festival will again convene at NOVA for a discussion among local business leaders on how optimism can underpin a thriving economic future for our community.
Mr Perton will lead the discussion, along with a panel comprising Armidale Regional Council Mayor, Cr Sam Coupland; Dr Debra Kelliher, CEO & founder of AWARE Network (Authentic Women – Awake, Respected, Empowered); Mr David Widders, Anaiwan man; and Ms Anna Barwick, CEO & Founder PharmOnline, NSW Regional Woman of the Year and NSW Premier’s Woman of the Year.
The second day of the Festival will start with ‘Optimism in the Gorge’ – a sunrise yoga and meditation session on September 2, led by practitioner Sue Watt at the Blue Hole, Gara Gorge.
The final event will be the Emerging Leaders Masterclass in Optimism (for schools), starting at 10am at Armidale Secondary College.
Full details about the Spring Into Optimism Festival can be found here: https://www.unesri.com.au/optimism-festival
“Optimism is a creed for the brave. Pessimists' and cynics' certainty that nothing can be done gives them a ready excuse to do nothing and to risk nothing. By contrast, the optimist knows that better is always possible, and so he is compelled to make the effort work towards happier ends, even at the risk of disappointment.” - Akaash Maharaj, CEO of the Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption
Text courtesy of UNE Media Team