Call for Contributions/Presentations
The call for contributions/presentations is now open. We welcome submissions from individuals and community groups who are already active in fields relevant to our conference themes (see below). We particularly welcome submissions from those actively engaged across central Victoria whose vision and strategy reinforce a sustainable relationship between humanity and nature, in their everyday lives, locally, regionally and on broader systemic levels. Our vision statement, below, offers some guidelines.
Conference Vision
Through fostering local community-based exchanges the Local Lives- Global Matters seeks to:
 Strengthen relationships between people, land and systems
 Live and lead by example and share the local initiatives
 Create new/meaningful metaphors and narratives
 Integrate the global, regional and local; past present and future wisdom; diverse life and culture
 Be inclusive and accessible
 Inspire change to create positive actions and real life outcomes at personal and systemic levels
 Learn from each other and share what we learn
Presentation Guidelines
Conference presenters/contributors are requested to include strategies which encourage participants to take action, in small or large ways, towards a better future.
Please note: A reciprocal exchange will be offered to Site visit hosts, for example working bees or meals, in keeping with alternative economy principles of the conference and in recognition that requests of similar nature may be frequent.
Closing date: The call for presentations/contributions closes on Friday 31 st July, 2015.
For more information:
Website: www.locallivesglobalmatters.org
Email: info@locallivesglobalmatters.org
Telephone: Nikki Marshall (61) 0432 232 073
Ellen Madigan (61) 03 5472 1782

Towards sustainable local economies and meaningful livelihoods
 Addressing food security and climate change
 Alternative economic structures – alternatives to productivism and growth
 Alternatives to consumerism – recognising and valuing what we have
 A more equal distribution of the gains and pains of our economic system
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Environmental concerns which also address meaningful livelihoods, food, farming, land, education, transport and energy
Reclaiming democracy and enabling decision making
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Governance and participation: how to create a proper balance between participation and representation
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Alternative democratic systems - power vs empowerment
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Grappling with the ‘isms’ - consumerism, capitalism, anarchism
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Politics of and mechanisms/systems for and of sustainability
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Frameworks of inclusion and diversity
 Group process and decision making, democratisation
 Intergenerational leadership
Culture and Ethics:
What inhibits and what enhances? Where are we going?
 Ethics at the heart of our lives
 Acknowledging technology and social media and how they impact on values, tradition, habits and beliefs
 Our interdependence in a culture of narcissism - addressing the tension between interdependence and autonomy, the individual and community
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Art, culture, music and the role of beauty in society
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Sustainable recreation
Revitalising Spirit and Relationship
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Deep ecology, learning from nature
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Spirit, consciousness and mindfulness
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Relationships of caring and sustenance, wellbeing
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Connection to the land and each other
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Cultivating meaningful intimacy
 What we can learn from our indigenous communities

Contact Details
Key contact person ……………………………………………………………. Phone…………………………………..
Group or organisation if relevant……………………………………………..
Location/ Region……………………………………..
Email………………………………………………………….. Website …………………………………………….
Presentation Title……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
TYPE OF PRESENTATION/CONTRIBUTION: (pls tick)
Group Discussion
Organic discussions around themes relevant to the conference. Discussion groups will be moderated.
Moderators as well as contributors are sought.
Workshop (30- 45 minutes)
Sharing practical experiences and learnings, and demonstrating projects.
Site visit (1- 1½ hrs. afternoons)
Showcasing creative local initiatives in situ with including Q and A.
Address of proposed site visit………………………………………………………………………………………….
Panel presentations
Presenting with other panel speakers on a relevant theme, 15 to 20 minutes per speaker, followed by Q and A
Other (please specify) …………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Presentation/Contribution description (up to 300 words)
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What will be the ‘Take home’ action or message?
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Preference for particular day/Available throughout the conference?
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