Protecting our future

iDEA16: Protecting our Future takes place in Brisbane from 15 to 17 April 2016. This is a conference for medical professionals and students and open to everyone who cares about health and the future.

The conference consists of workshops, panels and speakers giving presentations that address some of the biggest health concerns of our time. Here are some of the highlights:

• The  launch of a major report by Doctors for the Environment and Climate and Health Alliance, Investing in Health
• Founder of 350.org , Bill McKibben, via video link on how the world is now waking up to the devastating health impacts of climate change
• Dr Marion Carey on why Unconventional Gas is a health issue
• Dr Jane O’Sullivan on planetary overload, population and consumption
• Professor Billie Giles-Corti, discussing the effects of urban design on health and envisioning future cities
• Dr Kirsty Davies, on human rights, climate change and “intergenerational democracy”
• Tim Buckley via skype on stranded fossil fuel assets
• Dr Forbes McGain on greening hospitals
• Dr Dimity Williams on nature as medicine
• John Cook on effective communication
• GP WORKSHOP DAY on climate change and health
  This activity has been approved by the RACGP QI&CPD Program. 40 Category 1 points – (Activity: 42929) 2014-2016 Triennium

Outside of the academic timetable, there is a social program including locally sourced food with Wandering Cooks (the hub of the Brisbane food community, bringing small community businesses and the food-loving public together), a trip to the Kangaroo Point Cliffs, a morning bike ride and further opportunities to network.

iDEA is the annual national conference of Doctors for the Environment Australia – an independent health advocacy organisation of doctors and medical students, who view health as a state of physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease. They support sustainable healthcare, which considers the health of future generations as well as present ones.

iDEA16 builds on previous iDEA conferences and has been designed to provide an even more robust experience for attendees, placing value on charting your own journey, thinking outside the box, and putting plans into action.

iDEA’16 invites delegates from all levels of knowledge – whether immersed in environmental health issues for many years, or are a novice in their journey. The only prerequisites are a passion for change and a desire to learn.

You can follow DEA on twitter @DocsEnvAus and use the event hashtag #iDEA16Conf.

To find out more about the conference, visit https://ideaconference2016.com/