Finance and Arts
The Honourable Rachel Nolan
12/04/2011

An international quest to seek ideas for the future is underway and Arts Minister Rachel Nolan is encouraging Queenslanders to have a say.

As part of the Ideas Festival, the challenge for Queensland is “How might we better connect food production and consumption?”.

Ms Nolan said ideas are welcome from everyone.

“We’d like to see ideas from all Queenslanders – in the city and the country, and whether they are consumers or producers,” Ms Nolan said. “This would make a great project for school students too.”

The online challenge is being hosted by IDEO at www.openideo.com, where people create solutions to some of the world’s greatest challenges.

Ms Nolan said the food challenge is one of the key themes of the upcoming Ideas Festival of wellbeing, food futures and sustainability.

“These themes align with our Towards Q2 vision for a healthy and strong Queensland powered by bright ideas and a green future to protect our environment,” she said.

“The winning response to the challenge will be announced at the Ideas Festival – 19-22 May at the State Library – and will be discussed at one of the Ideas Festival sessions.”

Issues to consider in submitting a solution include Queensland’s reputation for high-quality, healthy and attractive produce. Queensland is a big state and has a dispersed population. Our food supply chain from paddock to plate is worth at least $18.7 billion and employs around 267,000 Queenslanders.

Ms Nolan said innovative thinking is an aim of the Ideas Festival, and the internet challenge was a key part of that.

“Paul Bennett, Chief Creative Officer of UK-based IDEO, will return to Brisbane as part of the Ideas Festival to follow up on the challenge and to conduct a workshop,” she said.

The 2011 Ideas Festival brings together Queenslanders and the corporate community to brainstorm issues that impact our daily lives.

For more information go to www.ideasfestival.com.au