I know Beth has said she is planning to attend this three day conference, and Dean and I are hoping to participate as well. If anyone else wants to take part in what looks to be the best convergence of relocalisation minds to take place in the entire country, please register your interest with the Ethos Foundation and let us know ASAP so we can begin planning. This conference will be particularly important to anyone interested in shaping the future of SustainaBundy and the Bundaberg region. Further info below.

This May the Ethos Foundation will host an Australian visit by Judy Wicks, co-founder of the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE), now a nation-wide movement across the United States. Starting with her famous White Dog Cafe in Philadelphia, Judy has been a pioneer of the relocalisation movement in the US. Her work over many years has been recognised by a host of national and international awards and she has been featured in numerous books, magazine and newspaper articles, and on conference platforms around the world.

Going Local
A highlight of Judy's visit will be a three-day convergence in Brisbane between 23rd-25th May entitled: Going Local: Building Resilient, Sustainable Communities. The aim of this gathering will be to share learnings from the great diversity of local projects that focus on the nexus between resilient communities, vibrant local economies, and environmental sustainability. Ethos is calling for expressions of interest from organisations and individuals involved in such relocalisation initiatives in Eastern Australia. You will find more information about this in the attached PDF (click here) and at www.climateleadership.net.au

How will participants be selected?
There is a limit to the number of people our venue and process can cope with, so if it becomes necessary to select participants this will be done in such a way as to ensure the widest possible representation of regions and project types. People from beyond the greater Brisbane metropolitan area will be given first call on places at Going Local. We are also hoping to offer accommodation in private homes to non-Brisbane participants.

Will there be a cost?
There will, of course, be a registration fee for Going Local. This will be advised when our venue, catering, organising and overhead costs are finalised. We will also be announcing details of work scholarships for Brisbane residents and young people.

Registration of interest closes April 16
If you are interested in being part of Going Local, it is important that you register your interest as early as possible. You can do so by going to the Climate Change Leaders Network website www.climateleadership.net.au and clicking on the Going Local banner or link on the home page.

I look forward to hearing from you before April 16. The first round of places at Going Local will be offered that week and delegate information packages will start going out at the same time.

Ken McLeod
Ethos Programs Development
ken@ ethosfoundation.org
0412 871 789