Global Café. Brisbane will bring together some of the world’s most influential thinkers in a bold new venture to capitalise on the city’s status as the “capital of the world” when it hosts the 2014 G20 Leaders Summit in November. Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said the Brisbane Global Cafe would be a first for a G20 host city but he hoped the concept would be adopted by other G20 cities in the future.
The “cafe” will explore important issues around improving human life, developing cities that match future needs, powering the future economy and workforce needs, and exploring the emerging frontiers of tourism. The global cafe will consist of a two-day event featuring speakers, workshops and media conferences in the week of the G20, as well as a series of events between July and November and an online information and discussion forum. The Brisbane Global Cafe website is now live and speakers for the events will be announced progressively over coming months.
“While the official Brisbane G20 summit will focus on achieving stronger economic and employment growth and dealing with future economic shocks, the Brisbane Global Cafe will fill the gaps on issues such as improving human life, technology and design,” Cr Quirk said. “The Brisbane Global Cafe is a new concept and a tradition we wish to start for G20 host cities to enrich the G20 experience. We’re aiming to create a thought-leadership program that deepens the global conversation and champions issues of particular importance to Brisbane. This is an important component of our plans to use the G20 to ensure Brisbane becomes well known across the globe. Our international reputation is important to our future jobs and living standards as we seek to attract more tourists, investors and students.”
“Hosting the G20 is a once-in-a-generation chance for Brisbane to step up and take its place among the emerging new world cities of the 21st century.” An estimated 4000 delegates and 3000 media representatives are expected to attend the summit on November 15 and 16.
www.brisbaneglobalcafe.com
