Plenaries featured inspiring leaders and identified future leaders as Keynote and Panel Speakers. Below are the Plenary Sessions held, including Moderator and Speaker biographies and photos of each session. The Program-at-a-Glance shows when the Speakers were on.
Opening Plenary: Official Opening and Welcome
Welcome to Brisbane and the first Oceania Ecosystem Services Forum! In recognition of the important role you play in building knowledge on human-nature connections and hence improving people’s well-being, a number of high level delegates wish to welcome you to the Forum and thank you for your participation.
Moderator: Dr Simone Maynard (Australia): Principal, Simone Maynard Consulting
Dr Carl Shapiro (United States): Director, Science and Decisions Center, United States Geological Survey
Mr David Mareko (Niue): President, Pacific Islands Council of Queensland
Dr Leyla Acaroglu (Australia): 2016 UNEP Champion of the Earth (Acaroglu.Presentation)
Mr Jim Reeves (Australia): Director General, Queensland Government, Department of Environment and Heritage Protection
Learn more about our Moderators and Speakers here.
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Plenary 2: Our Oceania
This Plenary sets the context for the Forum by exploring some of the key challenges and opportunities for Oceania in the relation to the theme of healthy ecosystems for resilient communities. Our four keynote speakers have grappled with the challenge of managing natural resources to meet multiple needs of humans and other species while dealing with the incomplete understanding that humans have of their give-and-take relationship with nature and trying to consider not just present needs but also those implied by uncertain futures. These speakers’ experience ranges from the local to national, sub-global and global, and across government and non-government sectors. After brief presentations from the speakers there will be an on-stage interview session and the opportunity for comments and questions from the audience.
Moderator: Prof. Steve Cork (Australia): Director, Australia21; Adjunct Professor, Australian National University
Dr Madhav B. Karki (Nepal): Co-Chair, IPBES Asia Pacific Regional Assessment; Executive Director, Centre for Green Economic Development
Ms Leilani Duffy (Samoa): Co-Chair, UNEP Global Environment Outlook6 Asia Pacific Regional Assessment
Ms Rachel Parry (Australia): Assistant Secretary, Department of the Environment and Energy, Biodiversity Conservation Division, Reef Branch
Mr Andrew Davidson (Australia): Regional Planner, Bulimba Creek Catchment Coordinating Committee
Learn more about our Moderators and Speakers here.
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Plenary 3: Our Business
Moderator: Ms Cassandra Nichols (Australia): CEO, Earthwatch Institute: Australia
Dr Matthew Bell (Australia): Oceania Managing Partner of Climate Change and Sustainability Services, Ernst and Young
Mr Adam Carlon (Australia): Assistant Secretary, Australian Government, Analysis Branch
Dr Tim Richards (Australia): Senior Adviser, Environment, Qantas Airways Ltd
Learn more about our Moderators and Speakers here.
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Plenary 4: Our Future (Oceania youth led Plenary)
Working within the theme of the Forum (healthy ecosystems for resilient communities) this Plenary focuses on our future in the Oceania region (and beyond). Building on previous Plenary discussions, our youth Moderators will discuss their concerns for the future and question experts on future challenges and prospects for communities and ecosystems; limitations and opportunities to identifying, measuring and managing ecosystem services; and ways forward to ensure sustainable ecosystems and livelihoods for future generations.
Co-Moderators: Mr Sailoto Liveti (Tuvalu) and Ms Marie Dade (Australia)
Prof Ian Lowe (Australia): Emeritus Professor of Science, Technology and Society at Griffith University
Prof Kerrie Wilson (Australia): Director, ARC Centre of Excellence for Environmental Decisions, University of Queensland
Ms Tui Aroha Warmenhoven (Aotearoa /New Zealand): Director, Te Runanganui o Ngati Porou
Prof Patrick Nunn (Australia): Professor of Geography, University of the Sunshine Coast (Nunn.Presentation)
Learn more about our Moderators and Speakers here.
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Closing Plenary: Our Way Forward
This plenary brings together a panel of speakers from a range of cultures and regions in a conversation about ecosystem services and their contribution to our well-being. Natural capital, sustainable development goals, community needs, and cultural aspirations will be brought into focus. Reflection will be invited on the conference proceedings and on methods of communicating the conference Declaration.
Moderator: Prof Kate Auty (Australia): Commissioner for Sustainability and Environment, Australian Capital Territory
Dr Frank Casey (United States): Ecosystem Services Theme Lead, Science and Decisions Center, United States Geological Survey
Prof David Griggs (United Kingdom/Australia): Professor of Sustainable Development, Monash University and Warwick University
Stella Miria-Robinson (Papua New Guinea/Australia): Pacific Island Council of Queensland
Learn more about our Moderators and Speakers here.
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Oceania Ecosystem Services Forum 
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