2020 summit

Before you start to switch off as you read this first sentence, don't leave yet...if you continue reading you may find a few interesting things in this post and hopefully it will also get your brain working to come up with some great ideas!


Are you still there? If you are, thanks for hanging in there :)

I don't want to talk too much about politics, but it's essential that I give you a bit of background for this post. In November 2007 last year, Australia had a change of government. We recently had a new prime minister and political party voted in after 11 years with the same government. Our new prime minister's name is Mr Kevin Rudd (yeh, that's his pic on this post). He is also one of the few leaders in the world that can also speak fluent Chinese (mandarin).

A few months ago, Mr Rudd and his party announced a plan to have a two-day Australia 2020 summit. He had invited 1000 of Australia's best 'think tank' or experts in their particular fields. It would bring together the most talented people (those that are not in government) to help look beyond the usual political views of government and policy making. The purpose was to come up with policies to help meet the challenges Australia faced over the next decade and beyond.

The concept was for these selected group of people to voice their opinion and come up with the best ideas that could help move Australia forward, to be more innovative, competitive on the world stage and generally map out a strategy for Australia's long-term future in areas ranging from the economy, health, education, environment and climate change, to the creative arts. Even Cate Blanchett and Hugh Jackman were invited to contribute their thoughts and ideas for the creative and performing arts.

The 2020 summit was completed last weekend and was received successfully by the majority of people (I say majority, because you can't please everyone!). As a result of this summit, it got me thinking. At Vivid Lamp, we love to hear about innovative ideas, particularly about ideas that spread (see our motto above?).

This is where YOU come in.

Give this question some thought. In your area of expertise (you can be a lawyer, gardener, teacher, nurse or a mum/dad at home raising your child - everyone I believe has some expertise in something, so really think hard now...)

"What idea/s do you have, that you think would really help your community or country so it can be the best in the world?"

For me personally, a community/country where it's people are healthy and educated, promotes innovation and productivity for your economy. As everyone knows a good economy will in turn benefit the people living within that community/country. More importantly, when people are well educated, it will also reduce corruption and make those in management/government accountable for their actions. I strongly believe access to a good education and an affordable health care system is crucial to any community/country.

I also remembered, whatever happened to that car that was supposed to run on good old H2O (water)? Wouldn't this be great, if a car could run on water? With the high price of petrol/gas and with less impact on the environment, I'll have one of these cars any day! Have you come up with your great idea/s yet?