Conference coup for Noosa Biosphere, Uni to co-host
Published on 21 November, 2012
A major international conference for 2013 will be hosted by CQUniversity Noosa and Noosa Biosphere.
The ‘Balance-Unbalance 2013' conference will be held in conjunction with 'Floating Land' from May 31-June 2 next year and will focus on how the arts and technology can be used to explore environmental and sustainability issues.
The focus is interdisciplinary so artists, scientists, researchers, politicians and community groups are invited to become involved, with the call for presentations open until December 8.
The conference will feature panels and featured speakers, paper presentations, transdisciplinary performances and virtual presentations from leading international researchers and practitioners.
Dr Ricardo Dal Farro from Concordia University in Canada was the creator of the ‘Balance-Unbalance' conference concept and is international conference director for the 2013 event. He was impressed by the work of Sunshine Coast artists such as Leah Barclay who travelled to Canada to participate in the 2011 conference.
LINK for a larger image of the conference postcard
When the Noosa delegation extended the invitation to hold the conference on the Sunshine Coast he agreed, excited about the type of activities occurring in areas such as green art and climate adaptation.
"Environmental problems, economic uncertainty and political complexity have been around for a very long time. What was different before was the speed and rate of change. Everything is happening so much faster now," explains Ricardo.
"In this context of global threats, how can the arts and creative approaches help? This is what 'Balance-Unbalance' is about - moving out of our comfort zones and finding ways we can make a better life for ourselves and others."
CQUniversity Senior Lecturer and Noosa Biosphere Chair Dr Susan Davis believes hosting this event will be a highlight for Noosa Biosphere and is keen to involve locals as well as people from across the globe.
"Noosa Biosphere and CQUniversity Noosa are proud to be able to host 'Balance-Unbalance 2013'. The conference themes which focus on sustainability, interdisciplinary practice and creativity resonate strongly for both organisations," Dr Davis says.
"We welcome involvement from local, national and international participants and encourage individuals and groups to submit proposals for the conference program."
For more information see the conference website http://www.balance-unbalance2013.org/