Tuesday 19 - Wednesday 20 June 2007

Aims and purposes of "HOTH"

This is an opportunity to demonstrate the value and importance of the humanities, arts and social sciences to members of Federal Parliament.

The first aim is to demonstrate the value of your work to Federal Parliamentarians. This could be expressed in social, economic or cultural terms. MPs are engaged in a constant search for solutions to problems, and this is a chance to discuss issues and ideas with them.

MPs will be particularly interested in how your work might make a difference to their electorate or local area: this is an election year! They will remember if you tell them stories rather than recite facts and figures.

The second aim is to improve the system. What changes would improve the way research, education and practice are carried out in Australia? Is it simply a matter of more funds? Or are there systemic changes that would make our systems work more efficiently?

CHASS is working on a central argument that everyone can carry into the meetings with MPs. This will have the facts and figures, and set out clearly the changes we recommend. You will be able to illustrate this case with stories from your own experience.

We will work through these arguments at Tuesday's briefing day.

There is also a third aim. This event is a unique opportunity for people from different disciplines and different institutions to network. It's an opportunity to meet old colleagues and to forge new partnerships, in a variety of formal and informal settings.