Welcome Notes

Tania de Jong AM, Founder & Executive Producer Ci Global

After the overwhelming success of Ci2012, I am excited and delighted to invite you to join us at the Paris-end of Melbourne again this spring. The theme of Ci2013 is Race to the Future.E6:  Environment, Energy, Economy, Education, Entrepreneurship, Ethical Leadership.

This very important conversation is designed to bring about a manifesto for change in ourselves, our organisations, our communities and our world.

Ci2013 will be a place to connect, create, change, explore, quesion, share and learn…and then take action! A place to be entertained and inspired. A place to re-invent and shape the future we want. Join big and small business, entrepreneurs, educators, creative and government leaders, the next generation of leaders and leading thinkers from all around the world, Asia and Australia for ‘positive human collisions’ that will change the course of the future!

Ci2013 is a cross-sector, community-wide program and the cross-pollination of ideas at this event is a significant factor for anyone wishing to innovate and develop more of a culture of innovation.

The challenge of the 21st century is to transform our organisations to adapt flexibly and rapidly to the ever-changing, complex and volatile environments we face. We will have to reduce cost structures while increasing productivity, adopt new ways of working and invent business models that challenge old ways of thinking.

In the workplace, creativity is the most powerful tool an individual or organisation can have. Around the world there is a growing recognition that we need to develop our creativity and learn to innovate…or die! Creative, courageous leadership is the strategic tool of the 21st Century.

This is a rare opportunity to learn, connect and share ideas across sectors with some of the world’s most influential thinkers under one roof.

As John M. Richardson said: “When it comes to the future, there are three kinds of people: those who let it happen, those who make it happen, and those who wonder what happened.”

We look forward to co-creating the future with you at this inspirational global event.

Sir Gustav Nossal AC, CBA, FRS, FAA – Ambassador Ci Global

A key element in the advance of science and education is the process of collaboration. As a scientist and leader, I appreciate the value of using collaboration to develop breakthroughs in complex issues. This Creative Innovation 2013 conference focuses even more on using collaboration along with creativity to be able to develop new insights into breakthrough thinking.

The Ci conference has an amazing balance of creative arts and intellectual knowledge that will feed educators, scientists, innovators, businesses, creatives and thought leaders to reach into and understand matters like never before.

The learnings, results and connections you make may well change you and your world. I look forward to welcoming you to this amazing Ci2013.

Hugh Morgan AC – Ambassador Ci Global

Successful leadership in business and life often requires simplifying the complex and finding new ways through essential issues. This fourth creative innovation conference provides a unique chance to see through the complexity of the big issues in Environment, Energy, Economy, Education, Entrepreneurship and Ethical Leadership. It is a wonderful opportunity for leaders and potential leaders in all walks of life to explore and understand these issues and to take strategies and new thinking back into their organisations.

I am extremely pleased to be associated with this world class conference program from its early beginnings. With its creativity, its stimulating array of international and national speakers, its emphasis on cross-pollinisation of ideas and its focus on the future and its opportunities, this future-shaping event is a wonderful contributor to understanding innovation. It also enables participants to develop themselves, their organisations and communities in very meaningful ways and take actions that will make a difference.

Ci2013 is a very special opportunity not to be missed as we race into the future.

Professor Allan Fels AO – Ambassador Ci Global

Never has the world’s need for innovation and creativity in every walk of life been greater.  If the pressing social, economic and environmental challenges of our contemporary world were easy, we would have already solved them. In this second decade of the twenty-first century, we have learned that those who work in government and the public sector need new ways of thinking and acting and new kinds of ways to generate, shape and connect ideas with the people whose courage, creativity and leadership can make them a reality.

With its creativity, its stimulating array of international and national speakers, its emphasis on cross-fertilisation of ideas and its focus on the future and its opportunities, this sparkling Creative Innovation event should not be missed.

The Hon Dr Denis Naphtine MP – Premier

Victoria is known for innovation, fostered through its forward-thinking industries, its strong research sector, and its creative citizens. This makes Melbourne the ideal host city for this conference.

With over 40 world class international and Australian keynote speakers, leaders, artists and thinkers in attendance, the conference will highlight global trends set to change the way we think about the future. This year’s theme, Race to the Future, will see participants focus on six important themes: environment, energy, economy, education, entrepreneurship and ethical leadership.

As the world becomes increasingly fast-paced, innovative and cross-disciplinary solutions to problems need be identified and implemented more quickly. Participants in Creative Innovation 2013 will have the opportunity to explore solutions and collaborate on strategies to meet current and future challenges. I encourage participants to seek out and connect with others who share an interest in meeting the challenges of the future.

On behalf of the Victorian Government, I wish Creative Universe, Creative Innovation Global and all participants the very best for a successful conference.