Today sees the start of Vibewire Youth Inc’s e-Festival of Ideas – a week-long celebration of youth innovation. Focusing on four topic areas – politics, human rights, the economy and Generation Y – the e-Festival, now in its sixth year – aims to generate conversation among young people across Australia – and is using online forum technology to do so.
The forums have guest panellists organised to keep the debate going, and a hot topic list to get started includes:
- Is there an upside to the current economic downturn?
- How much do online profiles impact (or create) jobs?
- What’s missing from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights?
- How are Facebook and Twitter making a social change?
- How is the 24-hour news cycle affecting politics?
- Is the quest to save the environment really about politics and power?
The guest panellists, drawn from all quarters of society, include:
- Kate Temby, Acting Director, Human Rights Unit, Australian Human Rights Commission
- Faten Abdallah, Connecting Women Radio, USA
- Liz Moorhead, NSW Director, Oaktree Foundation
- Anna Rose, Founder, Australian Youth Climate Coalition
- Tim Longhurst, Online Strategist, GetUp!
- Ruby Murray, Editor, The Democracy Project
- Traci Fenton, Founder and CEO, WorldBlu
- Jessica Kiely, CEO, The Frank Team
- Gavin Heaton, Author of servantofchaos.com
- Jye Smith, Social Media Strategist, Switched On Media
- Dr James Arvanitakis – Writer of The Cultural Commons of Hope
- Zoe Scaman – Quintessentially Digital
- Zac Martin – Pigs Don't Fly
To get a sense of how some of these conversations may evolve, take quick listen to Traci Fenton’s view of workplace democracy.
This year, as part of the e-Festival, Vibewire will also host some LIVE events – allowing forum participants to meet face-to-face (and don’t forget that includes our Friday Coffee Morning this week at Vibewire):
e-FESTIVAL OF IDEAS NETWORKING NIGHT
What Innovators, creatives, activists and everyone else. Meet, drink, talk.
When 7pm, Wednesday May 6th
Where Vibewire Enterprise Hub, 525 Harris St, Ultimo NSW
e-FESTIVAL OF IDEAS FAST BREAK EVENT
What 5 speakers on the 5 Cs of innovation: Collaboration, Connectivity, Creativity, Commercialisation & Conversation. Also available on U-Stream & Twitter (use #efest to join the conversation).
When 8am to 10am, Friday May 8th
Where Vibewire Enterprise Hub, 525 Harris St, Ultimo NSW
e-FESTIVAL OF IDEAS SERIOUS GAMES
What A treasure hunt throughout the city, using technology to collect items. Players will challenge their perspective on e-Festival topics.
When 10am – 5pm, Sunday May 10th
Where Start at Vibewire Enterprise Hub, 525 Harris St, Ultimo
To get started with the e-Festival:
- Register as a participant
- Login using your user ID and password (or use Facebook Connect)
- Join a conversation!
I look forward to chatting with you!