-----Original Message-----
>Creative Systems Practice
>
>The 4th Australia and New Zealand Systems Conference
>
>7 to 10 October 1998
>
>The University of Western Sydney-Hawkesbury
>Richmond , New South Wales, Australia
>
>A MESSAGE OF INVITATION
>
>From the Centre for Systemic Development, University of Western Sydney -
>Hawkesbury
>
>We at the Centre invite you to participate in the fourth Australia and New
>Zealand Systems Conference to be held at the Hawkesbury campus of the
>University of Western Sydney.
>
>Set in the foothills of the Blue Mountains in the New South Wales town of
>Richmond, the Hawkesbury Campus has a long history of involvement in the
>development of rural Australia. Exactly 20 years ago the Faculty of
>Agriculture and Rural Development pioneered a new experiential learning
>curriculum that introduced systems concepts methodologies and practices that
>became a core element of its undergraduate and post graduate programs.
>Emerging from this faculty is the recently created Centre for Systemic
>Development. The mission of this Centre is to broaden the scope of systems
>thinking and practices within industry, community and organisations alike.
>To this end the Centre is proud to offer an invitation to all interested
>parties to attend the 4th ANZSYS Conference.
>
>The focus of this 4th ANZSYS Conference is on the creative use of systems
>ideas in practical ways. Over recent years it has become increasingly
>accepted that systems thinking is a key competency for helping people to
>learn about and deal with the vast complexities within their industries,
>communities and organisations. Systems thinking and systemic behaviour is
>now required by those leaders and managers, researchers and educators who
>choose not only to understand and survive these complex changes but who
also
>wish to have a positive impact on their organisations and communities in the
>future. To this end the conference will present new developments in systems
>practice, facilitate discussion groups, encourage the development and
>strengthening of networks and explore future scenarios around the practical
>application of systems ideas.
>
>Delegates may attend part or the whole conference.
>
>We are expecting in the order of 40 papers plus workshops. Five papers have
>been submitted from the UK, a number from New Zealand, and Australian papers
>representing Western Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland
>
>Keen interest is being shown by government institutions and private
>organisations alike.
>
>We look forward to meeting you here.
>
>Gary Wallace Roger Packham
>N. Sriskandaraja Roger Attwater
>Bob Macadam Ken Langford
>
>The Conference Organising Committee
>'98 ANZSYS Conference
>
>
>THE CONFERENCE THEMES (running throughout the conference)
>
>
>Organisational Learning, Systems and Information Technology
>Based on notions of Organisational Learning this theme will explore the role
>of systems thinking and information technology (IT) in the development and
>management of complex organisations. This will explore the role of systems
>thinking in changing the culture and decision making processes of
>organisations. Issues of participation in the design process of IT systems
>and the role of IT in large organisational decision making processes will
>also be considered.
>
>Critical Learning Systems and Education Practice
>This theme will reflect on the role of the educator as change agent, what it
>means to become a reflective systemic practitioner and what instruments are
>becoming available to help in the design and development of curriculum. The
>theme will explore the role of systems and its place in both formal and
>informal learning contexts.
>
>Agriculture, Natural Resource Management and Rural Development
>This theme will explore a range of soft and hard systems applications within
>the rural development, agricultural extension and resource management
>sector. Papers submitted cover such diverse topics as the development of
>sustainable rural communities, behavioural change in human activity systems
>managing natural resources, and the role of information technology in
>decision support and extension in agriculture.
>
>Systemicity: Philosophy, Methodology and Practice
>From human ecology and open systems theory to systems dynamics and multi
>methodological approaches to problem solving this theme will explore a
>range of philosophical and methodological developments underpinning the
>processes of creative systems practice.
>
>A Systems Scenario Workshop
>A scenario-type workshop will be led by Richard Bawden to look at the future
>of systems thinking and practice by using systems thinking to look at the
>future. His concern as an occasional scenarist (scenario planning
>practitioner), is that the methodology as promoted has weak theoretical
>foundations. It is his submission that systems theories and philosophies,
>grounded in learning systems concepts, principles and theory, can provide
>such foundations. It is the intention that participants in the one day
>workshop will explore these matters through a critical learning systems
>perspective in action: looking at the future of systems endeavours through
>a systemic endeavour. The day long workshop will be structured around three
>key activities
>
>1. Looking around and learning systemically from what is happening,
>2. Looking back, and learning systemically from history, and
>3. Looking forward with anticipation, and learning systemically from our
>imagined futures.
>
>
>
>
>INTRODUCTION TO THE CONFERENCE PROGRAM
>
>The program is designed around the use of keynotes to be followed by two
>consecutive thematic panel sessions to discuss selected papers each morning.
>In the afternoons a program of paper presentations around the themes of the
>conference, plus workshops and opportunities for discussion group formation,
>will be available. On the Saturday a day long systems scenario workshop
>will be held to explore possible futures of systems in practice.
>
>The Program
>
>Wednesday the 8th October
>3.00 to 9.00 pm Registration and
>7.00pm Evening reception.
>
>Thursday 8th October
>8.30am Welcoming Address:
>
>9.00am Keynote: Dr Marcia Salner seminal author in the psychological
>changes required to become a systemic practitioner.
>
>10.30am Panel Discussion Groups
> 1. Organisational Learning, Systems and Information Technology
> 2. Systems in Education
>
>12.30 Lunch
>
>1.30pm to 4.30pm Paper Presentations Workshops and Discussion Groups
>
>6.00 Pre Dinner Drinks
>
>7.00pm Conference dinner will be held with the first Fred Emery Memorial
>Lecture given by Hardin Tibbs, a pioneer of Industrial Ecology.
>
>Friday 9th October
>9.00 am Keynote: Prof. Ray Ison Prof of Systems, Open University UK.
>
>10.30 Panel Discussion Groups
> 3. Agriculture, Natural Resource Management and Rural Development; and
> 4. Systemicity: Philosophy, Methodology and Practice
>
>12.30 Lunch
>
>1.30 Paper Presentations, Workshops and Discussion Groups
>
>6.30 In the evening there will be an informal barbecue set in Stable
>Square, the historic stables of the old Hawkesbury Agricultural College
>
>Saturday 10th October
>9.00 am Systems Scenario Workshop Prof. Richard Bawden will facilitate
>a day long workshop using systems thinking to explore the future of systems
>practice.
>
>
>
>
>
>KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
>
>Dr. Marcia Salner
>Dr Salner is a cognitive psychologist who has undertaken research into, and
>gained experience with systems education with graduate students at the
>Saybrook Institute in California during the late eighties. Her work is
>regarded by many as seminal to an understanding of the difficulties involved
>in that endeavour. She was among the first to draw the connections between
>systemic capabilities and 'epistemic development': arguing that students
>had to reach a particular stage of epistemological development, or 'state of
>mind', before systems theories made any sense to them. She is soon to spend
>four months sabbatical at the Centre for Systemic Development at the UWS
>Hawkesbury, on leave from her current post as Professor of Educational
>Administration at the University of Illinois Springfield USA.
>
>Hardin Tibbs
>Hardin Tibbs is one of the pioneer thinkers and writers in the emerging
>field of industrial ecology which incorporates perspectives on the functions
>and organisation of industries which incorporate an ecological logic. His
>concerns include the manner by which different industrial firms can be
>organised and cybernetically structured as interconnected subsystems within
>an integrated industrial 'system', with the outputs of one subsystem being
>inputs for others etc. A management consultant, he is also a leading
>authority and practitioner of the process of scenario planning as a vehicle
>for thinking systemically about the future of organisations in both the
>public and private sectors.
>
>Professor Ray Ison
>Professor Ison heads the Systems group at the Open University in the UK.
>This group teaches systems subjects to over 1200 students each year. He
>has revitalised systems education at the OU, and has a thriving
>post-graduate group in areas as diverse as organisational learning,
>environmental issues and agricultural systems. He was closely associated
>with the innovative developments in systems agriculture at UWS Hawkesbury
>for many years, before moving to Sydney University, prior to his appointment
>to his current Chair. He has written widely in the areas of systems
>thinking, systems approaches to agriculture and rural development, and
>education. He has a book he has co-authored with Professor David Russell
>currently being published, applying the second order cybernetics ideas of
>Maturana and Varella to the issues of rural Australia. His book with
>Professor Pearson "Agronomy of Grassland Systems" is into its second
>edition. He was recently keynote speaker at the Australian Grasslands
>Society annual meeting.
>
>Professor Richard Bawden
>Professor Bawden, as dean of the Faculty of Agriculture and Rural
>Development at UWS Hawkesbury, led the initiatives which changed the faculty
>and its programmes to incorporate systemic thinking and practices. The team
>involved continues to develop innovative and radical experiential strategies
>for sustainable development. He believes that the search for emergent
>properties of learning systems is the crucial element in any organisation's
>or community's abilities to deal with turbulent environments today. The
>central focus for his participative approach is the
>individual-as-a-critical-learner. He calls his work Systemic Development,
>and it has led to a host of national and international engagements as
>researcher/consultant. He has published widely, and is also a co-founding
>director of the Australian Business Network.
>
>
> CONFERENCE LOCATION AND ACCOMMODATION
>The Conference is to be held at the Hawkesbury Campus of the University of
>Western Sydney. We are situated in Richmond, a delightful rural area, about
>60km north-west of Sydney at the foot of the Blue Mountains on the
>Hawkesbury River.
>
>There are two options of accommodation offered on campus. These are
>
>Option 1: Richmond Residential Colleges, UWSH, Richmond Campus.
>Accommodation is in single student rooms with communal bathroom facilities,
>with bed linen, pillow, towel and blankets provided. Onsite is a coin
>operated laundrette with washing machines, dryers and irons.
> Tariff: $45 per person per night bed and breakfast
>
>Option 2: Hawkesbury Conference Centre and Motel, UWSH Richmond Campus
> Accommodation is in single or twin share motel rooms with air conditioning,
>fridge, TV and en suite bathroom.
> Tariff: $55 single or $65 for two in twin share. Continental breakfast in
>room an additional $6.00 per person, or you can have a cooked breakfast in
>the Uni Dining Hall at $5.50 per person.
>
>There are also some off-campus options in motels in Richmond itself, about
>1km from venue (contact Alison Frost for details).
>
>AIRPORT TRANSFERS
>Airport transfers will be handled by AAC Airport Passenger Express. Please
>complete the form attached and fax to the Conference Secretariat on +61 2
>4570 1520. Cost of transfer will be $35.00 each way or $65.00 return.
>
>REGISTRATION FEES
>Full Registration Fee: $450.00
>Day Registration: $250.00
>Student Registration: $150.00
>
>Full registration fees include the Welcome Reception on Wednesday 7 October,
>the Conference Dinner on Thursday 8 October, BBQ on Friday 9 October and the
>Conference Proceedings. Day Registration includes morning / afternoon
>refreshments and lunch on the nominated day. Student Registration includes
>morning / afternoon refreshments and lunches only.
>
>CANCELLATION POLICY
>Delegates unable to attend may send a substitute without further charge,
>subject to written advice to the Conference Secretariat. Delegates who
>cancel before 14 September will be eligible for a full refund less $40
>administration fee. Thereafter cancellations will receive 50% refund. No
>refund will be given for cancellation after 25 September.
>
>SOCIAL FUNCTIONS
>Networking will be encouraged by social functions: the Welcome Reception on
>Wednesday 7 October, Conference Dinner on Thursday 8 October and BBQ on
>Friday 9 October. These functions are included in the registration fee.
>
>CONFERENCE SECRETARIAT
>Requests for further information should be addressed to:
>Alison Frost
>ANZSYS Conference Secretariat
>Hawkesbury Technologies Ltd
>University of Western Sydney Hawkesbury
>PO Box 415, RICHMOND NSW 2753
>Ph: +61 245 701 690 Fax: +61 245 701 520
>email: a.frost@uws.edu.au
> REGISTRATION FORM
>4th Australian and New Zealand Systems Conference
>7 - 10 October, 1998 - UWS Hawkesbury, Richmond
>
>Name:
> Prof/Dr/Mr/Mrs/Ms First Name (for Name Badge) Surname/Family
>
>Organisation:
>
>Position:
>
>Address:
>
>
> City/Suburb State Post Code Country
>
>Telephone: Work A/Hrs
>
>Facsimile: Email:
>
>Dietary or Other Special Requirements:
>
>Registration (includes all meals) AUD$450
>Day Registration - please indicate
>( 8 October ^? ( 9 October ^? ( 10 October ^?
>(includes morning/afternoon refreshments and lunch on nominated day + copy
>of proceedings) AUD$250
>Student Registration - please provide verification of Department Head
>(includes morning/afternoon teas and lunches) AUD$150
>Additional Meals for Guests and students
>( Welcome Cocktail Party on campus Wednesday 7 October
>( Conference Dinner Thursday 8 October
>( BBQ Friday 9 October
>Name of Guest
>AUD$15
>AUD$35
>AUD$15
>Accommodation Requirements: (see brochure)
>No. of nights . . . . Arr. date: . . . . . . . . Dep. date: . . . . . .
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