15th International ACTS Conference - refocus + renew

refocus + renew

The theme “refocus + renew” encourages institutions, educators and practitioners to reflect on their achievements, their next steps and the important role they play in achieving sustainability.

Education institutions face a diverse set of challenges, some specific to our sector; a lack of resources; institution wide restructuring; and being bound by current government policy. Compounding these are the greater issues we share with the world – uncertainty in the face of climate change, environmental degradation, social injustice and inequality.

The ability to refocus and renew in these times of uncertainty urges our institutions to ensure they can maintain strong commitments to the holistic integration of sustainability across the four defining areas of education (our conference streams); leadership and governance; partnerships and engagement; learning and teaching, and; facilities and operations. It also urges us to question how resilient our institutions are as a whole – for example, do we have climate resilience; have we created strong physical and social connections; and are we developing graduates capable of proactively improving, solving and thriving in our brave new world?

By refocusing we can evaluate priorities and revisit past successes, consolidating our knowledge to create a sound foundation for success. Looking forward to renew, we expand our current knowledge and engage in new or diversify existing practices. When we refocus and renew our efforts, our creativity, innovation and leadership for sustainability is limitless!

Visit the ACTS conference website!

About the ACTS Conference

Learn from others face to face. Share your own knowledge. Leverage off the expertise and experience of those in the education sector with access to campus practices – all in one place, at one time.

The 15th International ACTS conference will provide learning and networking opportunities for professionals and students working in all areas of sustainability across campus and surrounding communities. Coming together from across Australia, New Zealand and the world, delegates will share new ideas and successes, whilst advancing knowledge of current and emerging themes.

The event attracts participants that are actively engaged in sustainable initiatives within areas covering curriculum, environmental management, facilities, finance, social responsibility and community engagement, such as:
•Tertiary educators (professors, heads of schools, academics)
•Facility decision makers
•Environmental managers and practitioners
•State and Federal Government representatives
•Sustainability professionals
•Students and student leaders
•Vendors and consultants
•Other related professionals and professional organisations

The ACTS conference is a high profile event with strong government, industry and sector support. It continues to generate strong interest each year, as well as a loyal and growing contingent of attendees. Hosted by Deakin University in Geelong, the annual conference will return to it’s campus roots in 2015. Located an hour south of Melbourne, the university is easily accessible, with the waterfront location providing excellent centralised facilities for delegates.

The conference is highlighted by a number of extremely popular social events. Top of the list is the prestigious Green Gown Awards Australasia ceremony, which returns to the ACTS conference dinner on Thursday 22 October. Held at Geelongs’ premier waterfront venue ‘The Pier’ – the location will set a stunning backdrop for this year’s sustainability celebrations.

Visit the ACTS conference website!