Active Australians Outdoors
 A National Summit
facilitated by the Outdoor Council of Australia

Outdoor adventure activities are a consideration within many Federal and State Government portfolio areas (eg. conservation/land management, education, sport and recreation, tourism, health, youth, communities), yet regrettably for such a critical component of everyday life, there is little recognition of the role of these activities as an essential component of the Australian lifestyle and cultural identity.  As a consequence of the disparate nature of the organisations involved in the provision of outdoor adventure activities, there is limited opportunity to present as “one voice” to ensure that outdoor adventure activities are recognised and valued as a significant contributor, providing educational, social, economic, physical and psychological benefits and a potential solution to some of society’s current issues such as childhood obesity.

Further to initial correspondence in 2006 regarding the concept of a Summit, the Outdoor Council of Australia (OCA) is now inviting the involvement of outdoor adventure organisations, enterprises and associations in a National Outdoor Summit to initiate dialogue with the new Federal Government. If a united front with compelling arguments is not presented, the issues confronted by all those that participate in and/or lead outdoor activities, either for recreation, education, tourism or personal and team development will continue to be ignored. The National Outdoor Summit is proposed to provide government, private and community-based organisations with an opportunity to engage in the dialogue required to ensure the necessary facilities, access and resources are available to enable outdoor adventure activities to remain as a valued and sustainable part of Australia’s cultural identity.

The OCA, in conjunction with a number of state and national organisations, has recently commissioned the Australian Outdoor Adventure Activity Benefits Catalogue project that will identify evidence-based research that recognises the value of outdoor adventure activities and quantifies their benefit (either from a health, community, educational, environmental, personal development and/or tourism perspective).  The OCA will build upon this research to develop a Discussion Paper (due for distribution in May 2008) that will detail current and emerging trends, issues and policies relevant to outdoor adventure activities.  At the National Outdoor Summit, the Discussion Paper will contribute to the identification of possible solutions, a plan of action for a national agenda and, ultimately, the development of a National Outdoor Strategy.

The National Outdoor Summit will be held at Riverglenn Conference Centre, Brisbane, on Friday 8^thand Saturday 9^th August 2008. 

Invitees to the Summit include:

• Two representatives from each relevant national organisation;
• Directors and managers from relevant Federal Government Departments (eg. Health, Environment, Education, Tourism);
• Directors and Managers from relevant State/territory Government Departments (eg. Sport and Recreation, Health, Environment/Parks, Tourism).

This Summit will provide an unprecedented opportunity for networking and dialogue between community groups, national activity organisations and Government representatives at State and Federal levels. It will allow for the establishment of a framework for continued consultation, engagement and development across the full range of traditional and emerging outdoor adventure pursuits.