"The ability to learn faster and deeper than your competitors may be the only sustainable competitive advantage." Arie de Geus

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The 7th annual Education Leaders Forum will be held at College House, University of Canterbury and in a number of modern learning spaces and workplaces in Greater Christchurch, Christchurch on 28/29 August 2013.

Challenges and Opportunities

Building or rebuilding learning communities in the face of disruption caused by natural disasters, rapid demographic change or the tsunami of disruptive technologies is today's challenge for many education leaders and tomorrow's challenge for all.

The 2010-11 Christchurch earthquakes threw up both earth shaking challenges and huge opportunities for groundbreaking developments in education.

An Education Safari to the Future

Part topical forum, part education safari, with visits to new education facilities and modern workplaces, the seventh annual Education Leaders Forum offers opportunities for high level knowledge sharing about adaptable leadership.

Education in Christchurch is a microcosm of the future of education throughout New Zealand. Post-quakes education renewal in Christchurch and demographic changes there, in Auckland and Hamilton, as well as leaky building and ICT issues nationwide, have accelerated transitional and new education building design incorporating the attributes of safety, adaptability, high speed broadband connectivity, energy efficiency, weather proofing and future proofing.

Renewing learning environments and updating infrastructure because of physical or technological disruption is a challenging process. It is doubly so when there are closures and mergers, with the extra challenge of fusing the cultures of different learning communities.

Engaging the Learning Community

But change also brings with it positive opportunities for leaders to engage their whole learning community in the pursuit of exciting new learning environment projects and learning practice initiatives which will better equip learners with the skills to navigate their own journeys to the future.

Success in implementing education recovery and renewal initiatives in Greater Christchurch will depend on the degree education leaders are able to provide new purpose and positive focus by tapping the talents of the whole learning community in responding to and leading change.

Past ELF Feedback http://www.smartnet.co.nz/events/ELF/2012/feedback.htm

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The second annual Seismics and the City forum was held at the Addington Events Centre, Christchurch on 21 March 2013. The forum provided unique insights into the city's recovery.

The theme for Seismics and the City 2013 was When a City Rises. Top flight speakers from the public and private sectors wove different strands into the exciting big picture of the rebuilding and renewing of Christchurch.

Upcoming Speakers

Dr Jack Bacon

Jack Bacon returns from Houston, Texas, for his fourth speaking visit downunder.

Jack has often been called "a new Carl Sagan." He is one of the most requested speakers in the world for topics concerning technology and the factors that shape human society. He's the author of three popular books entitled "My Grandfathers' Clock," "My Stepdaughter's Watch," and "The Parallel Bang." Among his numerous awards, he is a recipient of the US Government's Exceptional Achievement Medal. He routinely advises numerous academic programs and institutions, and he is a champion of education throughout the world, having now presented in 41 countries on six continents, and on numerous television and radio events.

Contact us to discuss how Jack could lift your 2013 Conference or management event into a new orbit. Register interest now for 2013 in house opportunites.

Steve Simpson

Steve Simpson is an author, consultant and international speaker on organisational culture. His second book 'Cracking the Corporate Culture Code" has been acclaimed globally. Up to now, managers have been aware of the concept of organisational culture, but because of a number of reasons have felt powerless to change it.

Steve's work on "Unwritten Ground Rules" gives them the understanding and the tools to bring about positive culture change.

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David Gurteen Knowledge Cafés

David Gurteen (UK)

David Gurteen, founder of The Gurteen Knowledge Community, is an independent knowledge educator and coach helping people in organizations to share their knowledge more freely; to be more creative and innovative and to work more effectively together. David will again run his Gurteen Knowledge Café One-Day Masterclass and work with companies in-house while in NZ.

Contact us to discuss how David could work with your organisation or register interest now

SmartNet has access to a large team of experts and consultants from New Zealand and offshore you can use for your own events and conferences. Contact SmartNet (03) 3228293 if you are interested in having any of the above work with your organisation.

Snce 1997 SmartNet has helped organisations keep up to date with business and technology trends, opportunities and issues and connected key decision-makers via regular events and meetings. SmartNet is the largest New Zealand-based innovation network linking the private and public sectors to facilitate new opportunities for New Zealand enterprises. View Video