| Desert
Knowledge Australia Newsletter No.1 Dec 2007 |
| creating
opportunities and meeting desert challenges through
partnerships, know-how and innovation |
Dear Network Member, Please find below our first of what will be regular newsletters, to keep you up to date with Desert Knowledge Australia's activities. What a busy year it has been!
1.
A note from John Huigen, Desert Knowledge Australia
CEO We've moved into our new home at the Desert Knowledge Precinct, which will become an important hub for organisations collaborating together to create opportunities and meet desert challenges. The Desert Knowledge Cooperative Research Centre and The Desert Peoples Centre have already joined us, and we're already seeing the value of co-location, and the increased collaboration that can more easily come from meeting each other in the tea room! 2007 has seen the spotlight trained on the desert and its people. Often Australia's forgotten backyard, we're now front-page news - but sadly it's because of tragedy and dysfunction rather than the many positives that can be found. Many of the 'solutions' have been developed with little regard for local (desert) knowledge, and the emphasis on economic development without consideration for issues of harmony and sustainability are of concern. One of the cornerstone principles of Desert Knowledge is that intercultural partnerships are essential if sustainable solutions are to be found in the desert - and this is becoming increasingly pressing, given the changing demographic. Another key principle is that opportunities that benefit all desert peoples can be found if local desert knowledge and good practice is tapped into. Our hope is that Desert Knowledge will continue to play its part as Australia comes to terms with its desert heart. I hope you enjoy this newsletter. It's been designed to make it easy for you to scan for information relevant to you. I know how many things hit my inbox, and you are probably the same - so we've worked to make the information easy and accessible. Please let us know what you think. In the meantime, we wish you a happy Christmas and prosperous New Year. We look forward to 2008, which I know will bring with it many challenges and rewards for the desert and its people. John Huigen 2. Desert Leaders Meet in Darwin For the first time, board members from the three key organisations in the national desert knowledge movement came together in November for a joint board meeting - in the tropics! Board members from Desert Knowledge Australia, the Desert Knowledge Cooperative Research Centre, and the Desert Peoples Centre gathered in Darwin to discuss how they can more effectively support each other and work together, and to meet key Territory business people and the Northern Territory Government. Click here for more.
Diary
Note :
Desert Knowledge Australia and the Desert Knowledge Cooperative Research Centre have been joined by a new partner, The Desert Peoples Centre, in hosting the 2008 Symposium and Business Showcase. Be
sure to mark the 2008 Desert Knowledge Symposium
and Business Showcase dates in your diary.
Download the postcard to find out more. 4.
New Board Member for Desert Knowledge Australia
The Indigenous Education and Employment Taskforce, established in early 2006, was initiated by local Indigenous organisations in Alice Springs in response to community concern about school retention rates and employment outcomes. It comprises of representatives from local Indigenous groups and government and non-government organisations and is facilitated by Desert Knowledge Australia. Click here for the full media release. The Taskforce has recently commissioned Imparja Television to develop the 'What's Your Dream?' campaign to promote positive messages for Alice Springs youth about Education and Employment. Click here to download the flyer.
Solar Technology Demonstration Facility Another exciting development is the Solar Demonstration Facility within the Desert Knowledge Precinct. Alice Springs will soon be home to a $3 million Solar Technology Demonstration Facility; the first site in Australia to publicly showcase such a broad range of large scale solar installations. Over 15 solar installations will be established at the Desert Knowledge Precinct, providing a unique opportunity to compare their performance as well as provide an interactive display for the public. Installations will include solar concentrator dishes utilising the latest in waterless cooling systems, large scale tracking arrays and a variety of Photovoltaic technologies including some firsts for Australia: The first use of Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) Panels and Cadmium Indium Gallium Selenide (CIGS) Panels in mainstream grid connect installations.
Desert Knowledge Precinct Images
Published
by Desert
Knowledge Australia |
