Tapping into social innovation

Social innovation will be the topic of discussion at a breakfast being hosted by Southern Cross University and the Northern Rivers Social Development Council (NRSDC) in Lismore on May 2.

The breakfast, featuring guest speaker Brenton Caffin, chief executive officer of the Australian Centre for Social Innovation, is part of the 2011 North Coast Innovation Festival.

Mr Caffin will provide an overview of the work of the Australian Centre for Social Innovation, an Adelaide-based organisation involved in social change.

Ben Roche, the head of Community Engagement at Southern Cross University, said the event would look at the implications of social innovation for the Northern Rivers.

“People think about innovation in terms of the economic benefit, but we also need to look at social innovation and how we can generate ideas that contribute to positive social change,” Mr Roche said.

“Leaders and policy makers around the world are applying social innovation concepts to a range of pressing issues and rethinking how we can design our social services to address issues like family breakdown, ageing population, social inequality and disadvantage.

“This event will provide an introduction to social innovation and explore the implications for how we can unlock social innovation in the Northern Rivers.

“The University is pleased to be hosting this event, which will bring together policy makers and leaders of key organisations including the Lismore Mayor, Cr Jenny Dowell.”

Tony Davies, chief executive officer of the NRSDC, said there was enormous creativity, natural resources and people who were passionate and willing to do things differently in the region.

“We are well placed to think outside the square and come up with great social innovations to lead the way in working with diverse communities to support each other, and tackle the challenges that lie ahead,” Mr Davies said.

The breakfast will be held on May 2 from 8am to 10am at Invercauld House, Lismore. To reserve a place contact Emma Ross on 6620 1800 or email nrsdc@nrsdc.org.au

Two other events are being hosted by the University and the NRSDC as part of the North Coast Innovation Festival. A Social Innovations Think Tank will be held at May 13 at SCU Riverside, in Brett Street, Tweed Heads, and a workshop to develop skills for social innovation will be held on May 27 in Grafton. Details of all events are available at the North Coast Innovation Festival website https://www.facebook.com/pages/North-Coast-Innovation-Festival/193082714066363?fref=nf

Photo: Brenton Caffin, chief executive officer of the Australian Centre for Social Innovation, will be the guest speaker at a breakfast on May 2.