2008 brought home the weakness of using economic growth as the holy grail of progress. Only six months ago we were being told the economic boom was good for us all, yet debt levels were increasing to unsustainable levels, climate change continued unchecked and Australians were working longer feeling more stressed than ever. Even as a recession looms, we have the opportunity to reconsider our goals as a society. Are we over-committed to growth and consumption? What is all that hard work and economic growth really achieving? This interactive session will explore what we want for our future and what matters to us all. After hearing from some of Australia’s leading thinkers on happiness and progress, the audience will be put in charge of charting a new course for Australia by voting on what’s most important to us, as individuals and as a community. The Australian Conservation Foundation will communicate results from this unique event directly to senior political leaders. This is your chance to influence Australian politics so that decisions are based on what Australians really want, not just on economic theories. So come and help work out what Australia should be aiming for. Make your view count!