The biggest social impact festival in Australia kicks off tonight

The Centre for Social Impact at The University of Western Australia will kick off the Social Impact Festival tonight at the Octagon Theatre, UWA.

Featuring 30 events over seven days, the Social Impact Festival is a line-up of lectures, seminars, panel discussions and case study sessions on the latest thinking around social impact and creating positive change in Western Australia. There is a social impact marketplace and ethical fashion show, and a social impact Open House.

To date, there has never been an event of this magnitude dedicated to the topic of social impact held in Australia. The purpose of the festival is to make Western Australia a better place for all.

Tonight’s opening ceremony establishes a sense of place in Western Australia. Speakers include Professor Paul Flatau (Centre for Social Impact UWA), Dr Richard Walley OAM, Middar Aboriginal Dancers, Dr Michael Chaney AO CitWA, Rose Parker, Dr Cassandra Goldie (Australian Council of Social Service), Ailsa Grieve, Dr Noel Nannup and The Madjitil Moorna Choir.

The festival centres around four key themes:

• Creating social impact: entrepreneurship, innovation & design
• Demonstrating social impact: research & evaluation
• Funding social impact: investment & philanthropy
• Leading social impact: organisation, collaboration & systems 

The event highlights include:

• ‘A stories from the field’ opening to every theme of the festival.
• A social impact marketplace and ethical fashion show.
• Tri-sector Ideas Labs.
• A social impact Open House around Perth.
• Impact Seed Pitch Event.

Interviews can be arranged with speakers on request. There are photo opportunities at all events.

Professor Paul Flatau, Director at the Centre for Social Impact UWA is available for comment at any time.