The Noosa Biosphere will hold a major conference in Noosa in mid 2011 Chair, Noosa Biosphere Economic Sector Board, Greg Livingstone announced today.

Mr Livingstone said the conference theme is ‘Maximising Community Adaptation and Resilience’ and would attract UNESCO members, policy makers, businesses and individuals from across Australia.

“One of the primary roles of a Biosphere is to share information, and it is with this in mind the Noosa Biosphere has championed this project,” Mr Livingstone said.

“The other two primary roles of a Biosphere are conservation and sustainable development.”

Noosa Biosphere Limited has appointees from each of its Sector Boards.  Economic Board appointee to the Governance Board Varina Nissen said community adaptation was an important topic.  

“Communities are already developing approaches to Adaptation, as it leads to resilience, and incorporates a community’s ability to prepare for and respond to major threats and natural disasters,” she said.

“Irrespective of the outcome of the climate change debate, communities are concerned about a range of issues, and Councils and Policy Makers want to know how to develop their plans, and incorporate approaches to adapt and become more resilient.

“Equally important is the need to work ‘with’ communities in the development of plans and in the face of adversity and adapt to changes in the political, economic and natural environments, as opposed to working ‘on’ communities.”

Mr Livingstone said AST Management was chosen as the event organiser after an extensive procurement process.

“AST Management has significant experience in major events including sustainability events,” he said.

A sub-committee drawn from all Sector Boards of the NBL are developing the 2.5 day program, and keynote speakers for the conference will be drawn from both international and national sources.

The event is expected to attract up to 250 people to Noosa and include not only plenary sessions with keynote speakers but also hypothetical debates, workshops, an exhibition and various field trips.

Caption: Merrin McAuley of AST Management and Greg Livingstone, Chair Noosa Biosphere Economic Sector Board at the signing of the contract.