Professor Richard Wilkinson, Emeritus Professor of Social Epidemiology at the University of Nottingham, has accepted our invitation to come to Australia.

Richard will be one of the keynote speakers at the QCOSS conference – the topic: “Because More Equal Societies Work Better for Everyone”.

Richard is the co-author of an influential new book, “The Spirit Level: Why More Equal Societies Almost Always Do Better”.

Based on extensive research, The Spirit Level argues that:

"Everyone in society, not just the poor, is adversely affected by inequality. Inequality leads to shorter, unhealthier and unhappier lives, and increases violence and social problems..... Equal societies benefit everyone."

You can hear Richard in person on the first day of the QCOSS Conference – 31^st August 2009.

And if you book before the end of June, you’ll qualify for the EARLY BIRD rate, a substantial saving on the cost of the conference.  The registration form is available here.

 
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams gave The Spirit Level to Kevin Rudd when he was in the UK recently. Kevin will have read how Australia is one of the most unequal societies in the developed world.

 
According to a recent review of the book “In Britain, The Spirit Level has been cited in debates about fairness in the House of Commons, the House of Lords and the Scottish Assembly, and it is being used to justify several new pieces of legislation to try to limit income inequality”. (The Weekend Australian, 7/5/09)

You can read more about Richard Wilkinson, the book and what needs to change at: www.equalitytrust.org.uk/

Also at the conference:

·         Nan Roman from the US National Alliance to End Homelessness;

·         Laurie Kelly on innovation and creativity;

·         Hon. Andrew Fraser Treasurer, on the global financial crisis and implications for our sector;

·         Peter Hennekin on jobs, jobs and jobs;

·         Clare Martin from ACOSS on the national agenda and implications for Queensland;

·         Carolyn Mason on a panel of speakers on the Queensland Compact, and a cornucopia of exciting workshops …

 
We are awaiting confirmations from Hon Anna Bligh and many others. In the workshops you’ll learn more about working with Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities (CALD) and Indigenous clients, current policy issues, using the media and advocacy strategies, industrial relations, micro-finance, human rights, service integration, clients with multiple needs, climate change and sustainability, involving clients in your service and a plethora of other topics.

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