Transforming a country to secure our best future is a process that will require senior leaders from all sectors to champion and implement profound policy shifts.
By Renata Bernarde, Founder and Director, Pantala
It is with great pride that I introduce you to the CSIRO*’s Australian National Outlook Report, which investigates how Australia will perform 40 years from now in regards to its industry, urban planning, energy, land use and culture. I was lucky to be one of the 50 leaders who helped write the report over the course of two years.
The goal was to a) explore risks and opportunities that may impact Australia’s prosperity in the long term; b) model outcomes based on different future scenarios; and c) make recommendations for policy implementation now that will act as levers and may take us in the preferred direction for our future.
Being involved in this report has hugely influenced the ethos of my consulting business, Pantala, which I founded in January 2019, a few months before the CSIRO project was finalized. I am happy that the report is finally public so I can refer to the many recommendations, concepts and models as I discuss future projects with my clients. These are models and recommendations that I have been privileged to see first-hand and help shape as well.
The key difference with this project was the participation and engagement of a wide group of leaders, for an extended period of time – two years – and the commitment from the participants to listen to all opinions and ideas until we had formed a structure for the report. What was also formed was a bond amongst ourselves. CSIRO also ensured that the participants pledged to continue advocating for ongoing discussion of the report’s findings as well as actioning the recommendations within our realm of influence. In that way we amplify our chances of achieving the best possible future outcome for Australia.
I have to admit that at times the participants did not think the recommendations where going far enough. But ultimately, they went very far indeed in bringing leaders together to discuss challenging topics. The blend of sectors, backgrounds and ideologies meant we never had a dull meeting! It also means we have humanized many of our differences, empathized with each other’s business challenges, posed by a volatile and uncertain future.
The idea that we can make science happen, that by acting now we can provide better opportunities for our children and grandchildren is a powerful notion. The fact that the report united the Chairman of ASX and the CEO of the Red Cross, Shell and Climateworks, leaders from different sectors, political and philosphical backgrounds is testament that we can find a powerful and united agenda to have a better future.
This report shows that sustainable growth is possible when our generation of leaders ignite major policy and structural changes within their realm of influence.
If you would like to know more about the findings of the report, I would love to do a presentation to clients, board members or professional/community groups you believe would be interested. This is of course probono and part of my involvement with the CSIRO project.
Renata Bernarde, Founder and Director, Pantala
You can contact Renata on +61 402 522 658 or renata@pantala.com.au
*The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) is an independent Australian federal government agency responsible for scientific research.
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