In the Zone

A major international public policy conference, initiated by the University of Western Australia is being held in Perth in early November.  The principal sponsor of the conference is the WA Government through the Departments of State Development and the Premier and Cabinet.

'In the Zone' will feature an international panel of more than 50 speakers representing leaders in government, the resources sector, commerce and trade, communications, science, regional security, disaster management and academia.

Speakers include Western Australian Premier Colin Barnett, Rio Tinto Chief Executive Tom Albanese, Chevron Head of Future Technologies Desmond King, Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Stephen Smith, Nobel Laureate Professor Barry Marshall and Chinese Ambassador to Australia His Excellency Zhang Junsai, Japanese Ambassador to Australia His Excellency Taka-aki Kojima and many others.

Key conference themes will include the causes and consequences of the global financial and economic crisis, Australia’s role in encouraging a collaborative and sustainable response, and strategies to harness opportunities presented by this dynamic geopolitical and economic environment.

Perth shares its time zone with 60 per cent of the world’s population, and the nations that promise the greatest economic growth of the twenty-first century.

With Western Australia ‘in the zone’, the conference’s key objective is to stimulate debate on the public policy, geopolitical and business challenges facing Australia and its major trading partners in China, Japan, India, South Korea and South-East Asia.

Running from 8 - 10 November, the conference is open to all business people, academics and public policy practitioners, elected members and senior officials with an interest in policy issues, and to UWA alumni and their guests.

To find out more, visit www.zone.uwa.edu.au