A diverse gathering of Australians came together at Parliament House on 19 and 20 April 2008 to discus the future of Australia in regards to a wide range of issues such as health, community, creativity and the economy.
Overall the Summit received wide public support, but the event was also attacked as a Labor Party public affairs stunt.
‘The idea is a scam…purely for the sake of having a talkfest. Kevin Rudd admitted that the government's policies were already set and that it would only ‘consider’ the conference's outputs,’ said David MacCormack from Crikey.com.au.
But the term ‘talk fest’ shouldn’t carry the negative connotations it is usually assigned. A talk fest such as the Summit can act as an exercise in democracy, in networking, and in symbolism—and what’s so bad about that?
An exercise in symbolism
Symbolism has the potential to profoundly affect a community, a nation or even the world. It would be foolish to underestimate the meaning of the swastika to Jewish people or what the name Martin Luther King represents to African Americans.
World Vision Chief Executive Officer and a co-chair at the 2020 summit, Tim Costello, said that the 2020 Summit was conveying to the Australian people that there is a new government, not only opening up to new ideas but taking them seriously and responding.
‘It’s as if the government has done all the steering on a boat called society and told the rest of us to row, and now they’re allowing the community to put its hands on the steering wheel and have a say in deciding the direction,’ he said.
Governments can use symbols to manipulate their people or to reach out to them. The 2020 Summit was a symbolic gesture from a new government to the people it represents.
An exercise in democracy
What could be more democratic than bringing together 1000 Australians from all across the country and all walks of life, to engage in a conversation about the future of their society? Can you imagine such a diverse group being invited by Robert Mugabe or Kim Jong-il, to discuss with the government their ideas on the country’s policies and direction?
‘Don’t underestimate talking, talking is what democracies do,’ said former NSW Premier Bob Carr. ‘The alternative to talking is to shoot each other in the streets or throw your opponents in jail.’
The 2020 Summit was an example of what is best about living in a democracy. It is a demonstration of our freedom to accept, voice and debate different points of views.
An exercise in networking
A lot of hype has surrounded how the government will respond to the ideas that emerged, however it could be how the delegates respond that matters most. The Summit was an opportunity for networking and coalition building unlike any other event.
Larissa Brown, 26, was a 2020 delegate in the stream that focused on climate change. She said that despite attempts by the coal lobby to hijack the outcomes of the Summit some unlikely coalitions were forming, including academics, activists and business leaders. This sort of coalition could create a powerful movement for change.
So was it worth it?
The Summit canvassed many ideas from Australia becoming a republic to the creation of a bionic eye to help the blind see. It is too early to know whether those suggestions will be incorporated into government policy but it’s not too early to judge the immediate impact.
A wide range of community groups have labelled the summit as a great success. “This summit signals the beginning of a renewed commitment to a fair and just country,” said Janina Gawler, a representative from Indigenous Australia.
The 2020 Summit has stimulated a nation-wide discussion about the future of Australia, demonstrated a willingness from a new government to listen, and has enlisted a network of the countries most powerful individuals in support of its outcomes. All of this in one weekend – not bad for just a giant talk fest.
How do I know this?
Interviews conducted in person with Tim Costello, Bob Carr, Larissa Brown and Janina Gawler at the Australia 2020 Summit.
Other sources:
MacCormack D, 2008, ‘2020 summit: Talk for the sake of a talkfest’, 4 February
http://www.crikey.com.au/Politics/20080204-2020-summit-Talkfest-for-the-sake-of-a-talkfest.html
News.com.au, ‘Summit worth doing’, article from
The Mercury, 5 February 2008
http://www.news.com.au/mercury/story/0,22884,23162394-5006549,00.html
The Australian Museum, 2004, ‘Indigenous Australia’, viewed May 2008
http://www.dreamtime.net.au/
