Event Backcasting

Because we are backcasting from our vision of success we use three strategic prioritization questions to assess the merits of holding the event:

1. Is this event a step in the right direction toward our vision of success as a sustainability network, and ultimately a sustainable society?

• The over-riding consideration has been to ensure this event is ‘worth it’ and provides value in terms of purpose and sustainability outcomes. Read more about our vision of success.
• We have used a hierarchy of actions to explore strategic travel and minimize our impact.
• We have developed a position on carbon emissions and offsets. Read about it here.

2. Is this event a flexible platform for future progress toward our vision of success as a sustainability network, and ultimately a sustainable society?

• As early and mid-career professionals coming together builds our capacity to facilitate change.
• As the first ever network reunion the event is an enabler for future virtual forms of collaboration
• The act of planning a learning journey has provided the spark for regional gatherings.

3. Does this event provide a good return on investment so we can continue to move toward our vision of success as a sustainability network, and ultimately a sustainable society?

• Economic costs are lower as the event is co-created, self-organised and executed by volunteers.
• Network members were surveyed to co-create an event that supports everyone’s goals. A key aspect is the learning opportunities, capacity building and connections supporting future progress.
• The above considerations help us to be confident that the return on investment (financial, intellectual, professional and emotional) supports our progress toward sustainability.