Creating a culture of full employment conference

Wednesday 7 December 2005

The Creating a Culture of Full Employment conference, begins at the University of Newcastle tomorrow.

Hosted by the University of Newcastle’s Centre of Full Employment and Equity (CofFEE), the conference features presentations by a range of policy-makers, service providers and social activists from across Australia and around the world.

The aim of the conference is to develop approaches which will help our communities develop the necessary cultural shifts that will compel policy-makers to move our economy back to full employment.

Keynote addresses on the first day include Daniel Kostzer, the Director of Macroeconomic Research and Coordination at the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security in Argentina, who will outline their Head of Households Job Guarantee approach to solving their nation's unemployment crisis and the role it has played in restoring economic stability.

Professor Randall Wray from the U.S.A. will discuss the outcomes of his recent evaluation of the Jefes program in Argentina focussing on female heads of households.

In the concluding feature address for the first day, current developments in welfare to work and regional unemployment policy will be highlighted by David Thompson, CEO of Jobs Australia, the peak body representing not-for-profit Job Network providers.

Tomorrow is the first day of the two day conference which runs from 8-9 December 2005.

For media interviews: CofFEE Director, Professor Bill Mitchell, on (02) 4921 5027.