Australia to Host 7th International Carers Conference

Hosted by Carers Australia, the upcoming International Carers Conference will bring together national and international experts to discuss the new world of caring.

Globally we are heading towards a tipping point for unpaid family caring, where there will be more people to care for than carers willing and able to take on the role. We all need to take stock of where we are at now and to reimagine what caring will look like into the future.

The 7th International Carers Conference, to be held at the Adelaide Convention Centre from 4 to 6 October this year, will provide the forum to discuss and debate these issues.

Hosted by Carers Australia, Caring into the Future: The New World? will bring together national and international experts who will give us insights into intelligent, futuristic and inclusive technology, pioneering innovations, the digital health revolution, lived carer experience and leading-edge research.

“Carers Australia offered to host the 7th International Carers Conference because Australia is a leader in the caring space,” said CEO Ara Cresswell.

“We have so many stories to tell; about challenges, partnerships, innovation and new opportunities – all themes at this conference. The work being done in Australia on assistive and inclusive technology is mind-blowing, and we need to be able to showcase it to as many people as possible.

“We have attracted some of the most innovative and thought-provoking keynotes, across arrange of specialities, and most with lived experience.”

Keynotes include:

• Dr Jordan Nguyen – acclaimed thought leader on the intersection between technology and humanity
• Garry and Christopher Hills – father and video editor son who has athetoid cerebral palsy and is quadriplegic
• Tim Kelsey – CEO of the Australian Digital Health Agency and internationally regarded expert in thinking differently about how digital and social media can transform the customer experience in public services
• Sylvana Mahmic – early childhood intervention advocate, mother of a young man with a disability and representative on reference and advisory committees
• Vickie Cammack and Al Etmanski – Canadian advocates, teachers, innovators, writers and entrepreneurs in the world of caregiving and disability
• Paul and Christine Bryden – a former science/technology adviser to a prime minister and her husband and enabler
• Professor Sue Yeandle PhD – Director of CIRCLE (Centre for International Research on Care, Labour and Equalities) at The University of Sheffield (UK).

“Another great opportunity for all delegates will be access to some of the most brilliant minds behind caring research and successful services and programs nationally and internationally,” Ara said.

“Our concurrent session program is impressive. We have more than 120 papers (including workshops and symposia) across the three days.

“I would say two thirds of the program is the Australian experience, but we also have presenters from Canada, Finland, Ireland, New Zealand, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the USA, Japan, Taiwan, Israel and France.

“Concurrent session topics are aligned to the four themes – innovation, challenges, new opportunities and partnerships – and are wide-ranging: young carers, mental health care, carer wellbeing, aged care, work and care, dementia care, research, technology and more.

“Networking opportunities are offered throughout the conference. There is a huge exhibition zone that will showcase products and services. Socially, there is the Welcome Reception and the Gala Dinner, featuring Australian comedian Denise Scott.”

Carers Australia encourages registration before the Early Bird closing date of 4 August.