This summer Australia has shown the world just how bad the notion of a burning world can be, and it seems timely to start a debate about what engaged universities should really be doing in order to address these urgent realities.  The Opinion Piece A burning world: will we choose transformation and sustainability or apocalypse? is a ‘think-piece’ designed to stimulate discussion and debate about these burning issues.

This year’s Engagement Australia (EA) Leadership Forum will lead the debate about How can we advance our university engagement agenda in the context of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and the impending world ecological disaster?  We must acknowledge the sustainable goals for the ‘wicked issues.’ Poverty reduction, hunger amelioration, equal health chances, decent work, responsible consumption, climate change action, sustainable cities and social justice are all listed as part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by the United Nations. This is a world issue of which we are a part, right here and now and right in your home town. This is a ‘heimat’ issue for each community and neighbourhood in your town, throughout Australia and across the globe. No-one can afford to ignore the challenge because it is quite simply coming your way.

Join us to hear from an international panel of experts about how engaged universities can provide a powerful voice to government(s), industry and the communities they serve; about how they can apply SDGs within their strategic and operational plans through deep and collaborative partnerships; and about how they can seize back the debate in the current climate by recovering the learning spirit and critical thinking many associate with our universities.

Speakers
You will hear from some of Australia’s science policy experts, bush fire and natural hazard leaders as well as key members of our First Peoples who will all share their perspectives on the current crisis.  International speakers will include:

• Dr Billy O'Steen, Associate Professor of Community Engagement and Director, UC Community Engagement Hub, University of Canterbury New Zealand
  
• Duncan Ross, Chief Data Officer, Times Higher Education who will join us from the UK via video conference (in an effort to keep airmiles down)
  
• Dr Geoff Scott, Emeritus Professor of Higher Education and Sustainability at Western Sydney University
  
• Dr Jessica Weir, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for Culture and Society at Western Sydney University
• Dr Emma Camp is the Chancellor's Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Climate Change at UTS and has been appointed as a  United Nations Young Leader for the Sustainable Development Goals

The Leadership Forum will also launch the new Engagement Australia Awards, formerly known as the BHERT Awards, and provide attendees with the latest edition of Transform: the Journal of Engaged Scholarship