How should we measure the quality of life of Canberrans? Is it more important to know whether a person has good networks of friends and family, a high standard of living, a comfortable home, access to quality parks and public transport – or are all of these things equally important to having 'the good life'?
Worldwide, a growing number of regions have recognised that quality of life cannot be measured based solely on economic growth: we need more meaningful ways of identifying how societal wellbeing is changing. In January, the ACT Government announced plans to develop social indicators which will be used to track the overall wellbeing of the Canberra community.
The University of Canberra and The Australian National University are hosting events this week to discuss the future of wellbeing and quality of life measurement in the ACT.
All members of the public are invited to attend Cassandra Favager's talk on 'Wellbeing frameworks and indicators: the New Zealand experience'. Ms Favager (Associate Director, Deloitte Social Impact Practice in New Zealand) will discuss the trailblazing work of the New Zealand government in developing wellbeing indicators to inform government policy and decision making.
In addition, an expert workshop on 2 May, led by the Health Research Institute of the University of Canberra and the Centre for Health Stewardship of The Australian National University, will draw on growing international research to discuss how the ACT should measure wellbeing and social progress. This workshop will produce a public report identifying key considerations and recommendations for implementing a 'state of the art' approach to measuring quality of life in the ACT.
WHAT: Public lecture – Wellbeing frameworks and indicators: The New Zealand experience
WHEN: 4.30pm, Thursday 2 May
WHERE: Common Room, University House, Australian National University
