When I first began to bring the Sustainnovation Challenge to life, I never imagined that just a few years later, my work would be on the agenda at an academic conference in Spain. The 2024 “People, Education, and Technology for a Sustainable Future” conference has given this initiative a global platform, and I couldn’t be more thrilled.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to Professor Paul Egglestone and the FASTLAB team at the University of Newcastle. Your belief in this project and your mentorship have been invaluable in shaping the Sustainnovation Challenge into a program that effectively bridges the gap between young people, government, and industry. The conversations we are fostering are not just about the future; they are about making the future better, more inclusive, and more sustainable.
A big shout out to Camden Council in NSW, Australia—Gunjan Tripathi, Gaya Gounder, PJ O’Meara, and Blair Avila. Your insights and dedication to youth programs have been instrumental in making the Sustainnovation Challenge a success. Blair, I still remember the day you schooled me on Article 12 of the United Nations Rights of the Child. That was a pivotal moment that helped shape the direction of this program.
I also want to acknowledge the incredible support from my Newcastle/Hunter region. The pilot program in 2020 was underwritten by the City of Newcastle, Australia, and the local industry came together to make the first round a success. This region truly is a great place to be a social entrepreneur.
Thank you to the NSW Department of Education, Training Services NSW RIEP program, and other NSW Government departments and agencies for your continued support. Your championing of this challenge has allowed us to test, refine, and bring these stories to life for students across the state.
Professor Paul, travel safe! With five challenges being delivered in Term 2 across the Hunter, Central Coast, and MidCoast regions, your expertise will be crucial. I’m excited about the next stage of our journey, where we will deepen our understanding of the role young people will play in transitioning our regional communities and economies. This work is powerful, necessary, and just the beginning.
Let’s continue to build these industry partnerships and empower our youth to lead.
Stay tuned as we expand the Sustainnovation Challenge and continue to make an impact.