Senator Kim Carr, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, launched the Australian Innovation Festival in Sydney earlier this week, calling for Australians to put their “cleverness to work”.
The program comprises 16 associated festivals and more than 500 separate events across the nation, and will continue on into May.
The theme of the program is 'Innovation for Our Future'.
Events include 'Islands to Ice', an exhibition exploring the “definitions, perceptions, mythology and motivations of Antarctica and the Southern Ocean”, and the DuPont Australia & New Zealand Innovation Awards, for innovation in science and agriculture.
"[Australians] boast a long list of achievements stretching back to the beginnings of settlement — from breakthrough inventions to Nobel laureates. But now we face the massive challenges of the 21st century," Senator Carr said.
He said the future challenges that the festival addresses affect the entire planet, not just Australia, citing the issues of climate change, the ageing population and global economic disorder.
"Australia must harness its creativity to fashion a better future. Australia must put its cleverness to work," Senator Carr said.
More event information is available at www.ausinnovation.org.
