This July, Naarm will host the International Conference on Thinking, a premier event that promises to explore the theme: “We are on the edge of what?” The conference aims to provoke, challenge, and inspire educators, business leaders, and creative professionals to adopt and apply new forms of thinking. By fostering innovative ideas and tackling global issues, the event seeks to create meaningful solutions to complex problems. International Conference on Thinking to Be Held in Naarm
Highlight Speaker: Jeremy Donovan
Among the distinguished speakers is Jeremy Donovan, a Kuku-Yalanji man renowned for his multifaceted career as an artist, musician, speaker, and consultant. Donovan’s personal experiences significantly influence his work, particularly in helping young Indigenous men at risk. By encouraging these individuals to embrace their culture, he assists them in finding their identity and overcoming adversity.
Donovan’s artwork gained national recognition in 2017 when Nescafé featured his creations on their coffee tins. As a respected keynote speaker, Donovan was awarded Australian Speaker of the Year in 2011. He currently serves as the Healing Foundation’s Champion and is an ambassador for the Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation.
Addressing National Crises
In a recent interview with National Indigenous Times, Donovan highlighted the critical issues facing the nation, particularly within the out-of-home-care system. “Right now, we have systemic issues within our out-of-home-care system — looking after young kids that are out of control,” he said. He also addressed the broader social crises, including broken families and domestic violence, emphasizing the urgent need for change.
“We are on the edge of a crisis with masculinity,” Donovan noted, pointing to the prevalence of violence perpetrated by men. “I certainly believe that it is only men [who] are doing the damage, and it is men that are responsible for creating the change.”
Personal Insights and Advocacy
Donovan’s dedication to addressing the needs of at-risk men is rooted in his personal history. Reflecting on his own experiences, he recounted being incarcerated as a teenager and observing the unchanged narratives around crime and punishment. “The tragedy of this incarceration nation is that incarcerating people is a very big, lucrative business, and what we’re not reinvesting into, is reinvesting into lives,” Donovan argued.
He stressed the importance of overcoming prejudices and recognizing the potential in young individuals. “The moment someone invested hope in me, it changed my narrative, and it changed the outcome of my destination,” he shared, highlighting the transformative power of support and belief in one’s potential.
Event Details
The International Conference on Thinking will take place in Naarm from July 7-11. Attendees can expect a diverse lineup of speakers and a rich program designed to stimulate thought and action. For a full list of speakers and to register for the event, visit the conference website.
Join the conversation and be part of the movement to rethink and reshape our world at the International Conference on Thinking.
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