Plenary Session 2 - The impact of politics and systems thinking on prevention
| Monday, April 28, 2025 |
| 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM |
| Federation Ballroom (Plenary) |
Details
This session will explore what works – and what doesn’t – in advancing prevention efforts within an inherently political system. The speakers will discuss how politics impacts prevention, using international and national case studies from advocacy organisations, collaborative stakeholder networks and a politician himself! The session will provide insights into how, better understanding our complex and interconnected prevention systems, can create real change to the politics of prevention. The speakers will share their candid thoughts for the challenges and opportunities ahead in navigating the political landscape for more effective prevention outcomes.
Keynote Speakers (Bios are available at https://www.prevention2025.com/keynote-speakers):
• Dr Richard di Natale, Former federal Senator and leader of the Australian Greens and current General Practitioner in community health
• Ms Paula Johns, Directora Executiva, Promocao da Saude
• Dr Steve Allender, Distinguished Professor of Public Health and founding Director of the Global Obesity Centre, Deakin University
Speaker
Dr Richard Di Natale
Drug And Alcohol Clinician
Cohealth
More Proteus, less Sisyphus
Abstract
In Greek mythology, Sisyphus was punished by Zeus and condemned for all eternity to roll a huge boulder up a hill, only for it to roll down again once it neared the top. Proteus on the other hand, was blessed with knowledge of the future and was pursued relentlessly for it. When captured he would change shape, adapt to his surroundings and transform to escape. Sometimes working in prevention feels like a Sisyphean task. One step forwards, two steps back. We need to be more like Proteus, armed with knowledge but more flexible and responsive to our political environment. After a decade of pushing that boulder uphill in the federal parliament, I will describe what makes it so heavy, and what has to change for us to get it over the hill.
Ms Paula Johns
Executive Director
Act Health Promotion
Keynote 2
Professor Steven Allender
Professor of Population Health
Deakin University
Politics, prevention & systems thinking: Politics and systems in community-based action
