SIMNA Sydney invites you to join them in person or online to explore how we can measure wellbeing.

When: Thursday 1 August 2024, 17:30-19:30 AEST

Where: Darlinghurst or online

Tickets: Free for SIMNA members, $20 for non-members. Tickets are available here

Event overview

A country’s progress and development are traditionally measured solely by economic indicators like GDP. However, these indicators don’t tell the whole story or work to address human and planetary wellbeing issues. 

Wellbeing frameworks are set out to provide a deeper and broader view of progress and acknowledge the complex interconnections that impact human wellbeing. Some countries have adopted wellbeing economies, which place people at the centre and focus on the long-term sustainability of the environment. The wellbeing framework aims to build connections within communities, regenerate our natural world, and ensure fairness and dignity for all.

In July 2023, the Australian Government released the Measuring What Matters framework, Australia’s first to track progress towards a more healthy, secure, sustainable, cohesive and prosperous Australia.

Wellbeing can be – and is being – measured at the local, national, and international levels. Various approaches to measuring wellbeing are suited for different contexts and aims. Join us for a thought-provoking discussion on wellbeing frameworks and their role in shaping the future. The panel of expert speakers will explore the success and challenges encountered as these frameworks have been adopted and unpack how measurement can improve outcomes. 

For those joining online, the presentations will begin at 17:45. For those joining in person, networking and refreshments will follow the presentations.

This event is presented in partnership with SIMNA organisational member, Paul Ramsay Foundation, who have generously provided the venue and refreshments.

This event is ideal for:

• Social development professionals
• Policymakers and government officials
• Academics and researchers interested in wellbeing
• Anyone passionate about creating a better future

George Argyrous

George is currently the Head of Measurement, Evaluation, Research and Learning at the Paul Ramsay Foundation, working with various partners working toward a future where people and places have what they need to thrive. Before joining the Paul Ramsay Foundation, George worked within the university sector, conducting research and teaching and working with organisations to improve their evidence-based decision-making. He has authored several high-level government evaluation frameworks in areas as broad as disaster recovery and countering violent extremism. He has a particular passion for capability building so that practitioners can become more critical users of evidence to inform their work.

Katherine Trebeck
Katherine is a political economist, writer and advocate for economic system change. Her roles include writer-at-large at the University of Edinburgh, Economic Change Lead for The Next Economy, and Strategic Advisor for the Centre for Policy Development. She co-founded the Wellbeing Economy Alliance (WEAll) and also WEAll Scotland, its Scottish hub, and she instigated the group of Wellbeing Economy Governments (WEGo). She is a member of the Club of Rome and her board roles have included a range of groups such as Hands Across Canberra, Denmark’s Wellbeing Economy Lab, the Centre for Understanding Sustainable Prosperity, and The Democracy Collaborative. She is a 2024 thinker-in-residence at the Australian Health Promotion Association, 2023 thinker-in-residence at ANU’s Planetary Health Hothouse, and New Economics Senior Fellow at the ZOE Institute.

Warwick Smith
Warwick Smith is an economist, ecologist, writer and policy analyst. He has worked across many areas of economic research including labour, environmental, gender, development and taxation economics.
Warwick is also an honorary fellow at the University of Melbourne’s School of Social and Political Sciences and co-founder and economist at the Castlemaine Institute. He has previously worked at Per Capita Australia, the University of Melbourne and for state and territory governments. Warwick lives with his family in Castlemaine in central Victoria and has a strong interest in regional development and industry policy.