We are pleased to invite you to attend the ‘State of the Cities – Unlocking the Data’ conference to be held from 27 - 29 May 2009 at Melbourne Convention Centre.

Cities are at the heart of greater national prosperity – “capital cities contributed 78 percent of the nation’s growth between 2001 and 2006”, (Australian Council of Local Government). But cities face enormous economic, environmental and social challenges over the coming decade as they strive to improve their productivity, environmental sustainability and liveability. And city research data will be critically important for us to succeed…

How are we measuring our cities’ progress toward these goals and objectives?

What new things would be possible if we could improve the availability, quality and consistency of city data and information to all levels of government?

Where are the new and exciting opportunities for city research and how can we get started?

What could we achieve collaboratively that is beyond individual cities?

To inform and stimulate our thinking, we have invited a number of exciting international and national speakers including Katherine Scrivens from the OECD, Dorte Eklund from the Federal Government’s new Major Cities Unit, Peter Newton from Swinburne University and Rob Knox from Mercer Human Resource Consulting Group. There will be a number of facilitated interactive sessions to share ideas and opinions. Conference social events will provide further opportunities to network with your colleagues, make new contacts and catch up with old acquaintances. . There will be a number of facilitated interactive sessions to share ideas and opinions. Conference social events will provide further opportunities to network with your colleagues, make new contacts and catch up with old acquaintances.

As organisers, we hope this conference will catalyse the establishment of a core city information resource and research network that will work collaboratively to unlock the data and raise the profile and capacity of city research. I urge you (and your colleagues) to attend the conference and to play a part in shaping this network.

We look forward to seeing you in Melbourne in May!

Organising Committee
State of the Cities – Unlocking the Data Conference