Change Your World Conference and Fair

The inaugural Changing Your World Conference and Fair evolved out of a desire to bring local government, business and community together to celebrate sustainability successes, develop mutually beneficial networks and connections and collaboratively address emerging issues with novel and innovative approaches. All events promoted the use of public and active transport and were single-use plastic free.

MC Josh Byrnes and Mayor Patrick Hall opened the Conference, followed by a Welcome to Country by Traditional Owner Marie Taylor and a keynote address by Damon Gameau (2040 movie). CEO Arthur Kyron closed the Conference.

The Conference provided opportunities for key actors (government and business professionals, researchers and innovators and the broader community) to network, learn about new and emerging innovation and technology, and brainstorm solutions to shared sustainability challenges for local government and the community.

The conference format was designed to be inclusive and accessible rather than academic and was located at the Riverton Library. Conference program themes reflected the City's sustainability principles, attracting 33 presenters, 14 facilitators and over 130 participants to address challenge questions across 11 key sustainability themes.

A concurrent Youth Conference, developed and delivered by Millennium Kids, partnering with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, provided an opportunity for 75 young people in Canning to identify sustainability issues of importance to them, to present their finding and pitch ideas for change and to unveil their co-created Future Canning artwork at the plenary session of the central Conference, introduced by CEO Arthur Kyron.

In conjunction with the Australian Electric Vehicle Association, the Community Fair showcased local sustainability initiatives across a range of products and services. It provided opportunities for providers to network with community and each other. New and evolving technology and approaches to community sustainability were highlighted, including the opportunity to view and test drive the newest electric vehicles on the market. The Community Fair attracted approximately 2500 people with 350 people taking the opportunity to test drive an electric vehicle and more than 40 utilising the bike valet service. Participants enjoyed over 40 activities, food and product/resource stalls.

All three elements of the two day Changing Your World event series created opportunities for people to engage with the sustainability conversation at a level that was relevant and accessible to them and provided a voice to young people to contribute to the sustainability conversation.