Conference Day 1: Thursday 21 June 2012

• › Lisa Forrest, Olympic swimming champion, author, media host and actor, Lisa Forrest, Australia

Be moved and inspired by Jeremy Donovan as he shares his life wisdom and the struggles he faced growing up. What positive qualities assisted him to meet the challenges he has met in life?
 

• › Jeremy 'Yongurra' Donovan, One of Australia's most celebrated Aboriginal didgeridoo players, Kuku-Yalanji tribe of far Northern Queensland, Australia

• What is love?
• How do positive emotions affect our bodies and minds?
• What happens when we share positive emotions with another?
• Can we actively increase our own and our children’s capacity for love?
• What are the implications for parents and teachers?

• › Dr Barbara Frederickson, World-leading researcher into positive emotions; Kenan Distinguished Professor of Psychology and Director, Positive Emotions and Psychophysiology Lab, University of North Carolina, USA, United States

• How do we awaken our inner goodness?
• Developing warm-hearted relationships throughout life
• How can we support young people in making meaningful connections in their lives?
• Cultivating spiritual intelligence in children and young people

• › Lama Surya Das, One of the foremost Western Buddhist meditation teachers and scholars; Author: Awakening The Buddha Within, Lama Surya Das, USA, United States

• What are the best ways to create a space for young people to talk authentically?
• How can we help young people discover their inherent resilience and potential to dream?
• Do we really understand the power of destructive and constructive elements of a teenage group dynamic?

• › Tom Harkin, senior learning and development facilitator, The Reach Foundation, Australia

• How can we recognise the difference between discomfort and pain?
• What are the repercussions of an increasingly sedentary culture for our children and young people?
• What role does movement play in the way we think?
• How can we encourage people of all ages to incorporate deeper movement into their lives? What difference does it make?

• › Matt Cornell, Innovative young choreographer and dancer; recipient, Northern Territory Young Achiever Award for the Arts 2011, Matt Cornell, Australia

• How do we learn self-control as children?
• What bolsters will power? What undermines it?
• Why do we so often fail to break bad habits?
• Is self-control a skill that can be practiced and taught?
• How can we encourage young people to regulate their emotions and perform up to their potential?

• › Dr Roy Baumeister, Respected social psychologist exploring self-control and self-regulation; Francis Eppes Professor of Social Psychology, Florida State University, USA, United States

• What do we mean by emotional and social intelligence?
• How can we help our children to be less vulnerable to stress?
• Can we help them choose wisely and be less susceptible to harmful peer influences and risky behaviors?
• Can mindfulness practices enhance their natural capacity for emotional and social intelligence and compassionate action?
• Do these practices support young people to thrive?

• › Janet Etty-Leal, Teacher and Mindful Educational Consultant; Author: Meditation Capsules: A Mindfulness Program for Children, Janet Etty-Leal, Australia

What is it to be a teenager today? Inspired by teenager’s stories of living with depression we look at the pressures young people face and strategies for overcoming adversity.

• › Matthew Johnstone, Best-selling author of illustrated books I had a Black Dog and Living with a Black Dog; Creative Director, Black Dog Institute, Australia

• Why can't we just leave our kids alone?
• Why are so many children unhappy, spoilt, stressed and selfish?
• Giving your children space and time to grow into self-reliant, confident, inquisitive, happy and free people
• Practical tips on not only helping kids to be happier but to help you, their parents, live happier and stress-free lives

• › Tom Hodgkinson, Popular UK social commentator on family fatigue and stress; Author: The Idle Parent, The Idler, United Kingdom

• How can parents help their children lead happier, healthier, more rewarding lives?
• What effect are chemicals in the environment having on our children’s development? What can we do about it?
• Do violent video games and too much TV affect psychological development?
• How important is it to have time in nature?
• Building happier, more resilient families

• › Jane Hanckel, Co-founder, Spirit of Childhood Foundation; Author: Eco-parenting: growing greener children; Founder, Inspired Education, Australia

• What role does play have in our children’s continued well-being?
• Time as a wellbeing commodity - how do our children spend their time? What are the implications?
• How can we read children’s play? What can it teach us?
• Understanding the importance of your own play history
• Creating a play memory map

• › Marylou Verberne, Founding CEO, Play for Life, Australia

Judith Lucy is the author of ‘The Lucy Family Alphabet’ and knows all about families - she’s got two of them.  She found out at the age of 25 that she was adopted.  Hear how she survived that, an unusual childhood and the death of her adoptive parents who she now feels closer to than ever.  Sure, it’s lousy timing but better late than never.

• › Judith Lucy, Much loved comedian, author and media personality, Judith Lucy, Australia