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Open Forum is an independent collaborative think-tank built around an interactive discussion website hosted and moderated by Global Access Partners (GAP). It provides a platform for focused dialogue on social, political, economic, ecological and cultural issues and challenges.

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1st National Pain Summit launched


In Canberra on 10 March 2010 The Hon. Nicola Roxon MP declared the first National Pain Summit open, remarking that "Given the breadth and importance of the topic it may be odd to outsiders that such a conference on such a topic has not been held before – but you are breaking new ground, as indeed we are by showing the leadership needed to stabilise and secure health investments for the future". 


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Congratulations Refugee Buddy


Last weekend 5-7 March 2010 was the innaugral OZ SI Camp.  Congratulations to all the teams, with a special mention to the prize winners. In third place Emergent Reality's initiative ISIS, or Interlocked Social Information Systems, from the collaboration that began as Citizen Driven Stats. In second place The 2 Bob's Worth crew. And taking out first place was (drumroll) Refugee Buddy, sign up to be a buddy today at www.refugeebuddy.org


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Congratulations to our bloggers on 2010 Australia Day honours


Steve Lawrence was made an Officer of the Order of Australia for service to the community through leadership roles in the development and implementation of not-for-profit ventures to create social change, particularly for youth and the long-term unemployed. Warwick Watkins was made a member of the Order of Australia for service to spatial information and natural resource management through leadership roles within a range of public sector agencies. To find out more about their passions in their own words check out Steve's blog and Warwick's blog today.


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Blog of the Day

Lesley Brydons picture

National Pain Summit


posted by Lesley Brydon, Mar 14, 2010

Organiser Lesley Brydon reveals how last week's National Pain Summit began life.

The idea for a National Pain Summit emerged 16 months ago,  following recommendations made in the Access Economics Report The High Price of Pain, prepared for MBF Foundation in collaboration with the University of Sydney Pain Management Research Institute.

We started with just that; an idea. No resources, no formal plan but we did have some seed money provided by MBF Foundation.

To start the process we identified around 130 healthcare and consumer bodies, with an interest in pain. Associations that represent all primary health care providers, medical specialist bodies and colleges and the various not-for-profit bodies representing all chronic diseases where pain is a factor, as well as other consumer advocacy groups.

Without exception, these groups agreed there was a need to address pain with a comprehensive national strategy, and we immediately had a groundswell of support for the idea.


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Featured Forum

Pain Management


One in five Australians will suffer chronic pain in their lifetime, yet up to 80% living with this debilitating condition are missing out on treatment that could improve their health and quality of life. People with acute pain (after surgery or trauma) or cancer pain are effectively treated only 50% of the time.

An MBF Foundation report conducted by Access Economics has estimated that chronic pain costs the Australian economy $34 billion per annum.

Expert and community feedback is currently being sought on the Draft National Pain Strategy. Some of the key issues up for discussion are: recognising pain as a disease,  destigmatising pain, recognising pain as the fifth vital sign and how to help people better manage their pain.

Open Forum will be featuring the ideas of some of the speakers and delegates of the upcoming National Pain Summit in Canberra, in this online discussion forum dedicated to Pain Management. To participate, simply follow the links below to read the related blogs and login to leave a comment.


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Pain Management featured forum

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