Building a better future: reference group kicks off Victoria Summit 2021 agenda

The Victoria Summit 2021 hit its first major milestone on Wednesday with the reference group meeting for the first time.

The Reference Group – comprising some of our state’s best and brightest minds spanning business, the community, unions, educational institutions and government – discussed the foundations of the Summit in order to map out the state’s future following a year of devastating social and economic disruption.

Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) Chief Executive and reference group Chair Paul Guerra said he is excited about the agenda-shaping Summit and is looking forward to seeing the outcomes.

“This will not be a talkfest. We will run Victoria Summit 2021 in a disciplined and highly organised manner to drive real, tangible outcomes and policy for the state,” he said.

“We can all play a role in the growth and prosperity of Victoria. We are confident that by bringing together thought leaders from business, the community, unions, educational institutions and government, that we can define a bold vision for the state and our recovery. It will deliver a plan for Victoria to be the best place to live, work, learn and operate a business.

“In facilitating the Victoria Summit 2021, the Chamber is dedicated to ensuring it is as inclusive as possible and that it is accessible for everyone across the state – from our suburbs, regions and the CBD.”

The Victoria Summit 2021 Reference Group will provide overarching strategic advice on its scope, planning, implementation, engagement and activity. Invitation-only working groups are designed to develop and refine the Summit’s vision, pathways and actions using data and insights from Summit Days and online public engagement.

Summit participants, through ongoing in-person and online engagement including website discussion boards, surveys and email forms, will have the opportunity to shape the vision, pathways and actions in line with their values.

The Victoria Summit 2021 will operate from March to November highlighted by two thought-provoking Victoria Summit Days – a Vision Day, followed by a Pathways Day. Summit Days will be held as in-person events (subject to COVID-19 restrictions) open to the public. However, places will be limited due to capacity constraints.

Vision, pathways and actions will be developed within specific thematic groups (e.g. business and the economy and the future of work) and culminate in a final report launched in December.

Stay tuned to our website for further details on our events and ways you can get involved.