Working Visions conference looks to the future of employment

Some of the world’s leading labour market commentators, futurists and practitioners gathered in Perth last November for the 2001 Working Visions International Employment Futures conference, to discuss issues affecting on the future world of work.

Two Murdoch researchers spoke at the conference about the environment and its impact on employment.

Professor Peter Newman, Professor of City Policy at Murdoch University and Director of the Sustainability Unit in the Department of Premier and Cabinet, argued that an alleged new sense of vulnerability brought about by the terrorist attacks of September 11 could provide lessons about urban sustainability.

“In response to the September 11 events, some commentators have suggested that corporations should look at a more decentralised approach to accommodating staff. The policy of scattering staff is anti-urban and like some of the fear driving people out of cities into long commutes, it is not sustainable,” he said.

Dr David Annandale, Murdoch Lecturer in Environmental Policy explored the tension between development and the environment, and the potential impact on sustainable jobs in the future.

The conference was organised by the Western Australian Department of Training.