More than 30 ANU staff and students put forward their ideas for the nation as participants in the 2020 Summit. On Campus asked a few of the participants to tell us about their experiences.

	Taking part in the Governance Stream were Katherine Morton, Janet Hunt, Simon Rice, Marian Sawer and Susan Harris-Rimmer from ANU.
	From Left: Alex Rafalowicz, Zhi Soon, The Minister for Youth Sport – Kate Ellis, Michael Galluzzo, Charles Deutscher. Zhi Soon went forward from the Youth Summit to the Main Summit 2020 the following week.

Professor Jon Altman, Director, Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research
"The 2020 Summit took the lid off some conversations that we have to start having in earnest as a nation. The Options for the Future of
Indigenous Australia stream had the unenviable task of seeking to address almost intractable issues in Australian society: how to close the gaps and how to resolve, in an acceptable way, some accommodation between the nation's First Peoples and the settler majority.

My overarching impression was that the mainly Indigenous participants from all over Australia struggled valiantly with these challenges, but the complexity of the issues and the diversity of Indigenous Australia hampered the emergence of any single big idea – perhaps it will grow from many little ideas."

Ms. Jamila Rizvi, ANUSA President
"I'm 22 years old and am starting to worry that I've come by one of the most incredible life experiences I will have too early.
I just spent two days speaking and debating with some of the greatest minds in the country. The level of understanding, compassion and creative energy that was flowing through that room was amazing. The Summit is already receiving criticism in the media. But I was in a group whose 'big ideas' included an Australian Republic, reform of the Federal system and the engagement of all people in collaborative governance. If nothing else, the fact that these important ideas are being talked about – well, that's success enough for me"

Professor Kaarin Anstey, Centre for Mental Health Research
"The atmosphere was extremely hopeful, exciting, but also urgent. The feeling was that we must use this chance to tackle some of the entrenched problems. In my Prevention and Public Health working-group, there was a focus on health as an investment, not a cost. Discussions focused on finding solutions across all sectors, not just government. The final dot points that were reported really only provide a glimpse of the number of ideas discussed – so I hope that many of the good ideas submitted and discussed will receive full consideration.  In the end I think the symbolism of the event will be what is most important. Opening Parliament House to the public, media, to new ideas, and criticism, signifies a healthy democracy.

Professor Kent Anderson, Dean, ANU College of Asia Pacific
"I am a 2020 convert. I was a bit sceptical about the likely process and potential outcomes beforehand, but following the 36 hours in the pressure cooker of Parliament House with 1,000 intelligent and extremely outspoken Australians, I am convinced of its merits.  Indeed, I am convinced of the method and openness by which the process produced its outcomes.

Part of my enthusiasm directly relates to being able to get forward my ‘one big idea’ into the final batch of the top five or so ideas for the Summit.  I arrived at Parliament House keen to advance what I was calling ‘Global Literacy’ which involved promotion of Asian language study and international exchange.  Luckily there were a host of other like minded people.  Indeed, one of the exciting things was to meet people who shared your passion but came to the conclusions from completely different backgrounds."

Danielle Chubb, PhD Candidate, Department of International Relations
"My overall impression from the 2020 Summit was that the process – of argument and the exchange of ideas – is in and of itself valuable. To be able to come together with 100 other people in my field and engage in debate was simultaneously a frustrating and rewarding experience. While the limited period of time available for discussion necessarily placed constraints on the depth of the debates, the atmosphere of the Summit, as reflected in the attitude of the delegates, was one of excitement, buoyancy and hope. I gained a lot from this weekend – above all a sense of optimism in the direction that Australia seems now to be heading."

Professor John Braithwaite, Regulatory Institutions Network
"I declined approaches to be nominated, so I was surprised to discover myself listed to attend, moreso to work on Productivity, specifically labour markets, not my area of expertise.  Sadly, the labour markets conversation was combative. While the National Economic Summit of 1983 was a moment of reconciliation between the trade union and the business leadership of our country, there was no reconciliation on this front at the 2020 Summit.  But a different, historically deeper reconciliation is afoot in the early months of the Rudd government with Aboriginal Australia.  This is a more difficult journey and some tentative steps to build on the February Apology were taken, notwithstanding angst from indigenous participants about their words being sanitized.  The summit mostly commended ideas the government was already open to. On the other hand, some of them, like the republic, a bill of rights and a more economically seamless federalism, would be important changes."

Janet Hunt, Research Fellow, Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research
"The political messages of the summit were inclusion - of diverse Australians with diverse histories, cultures and aspirations - and a different way of doing government business. These signals were probably as important as the substance. It was certainly interesting to be part of this rather extraordinary process - though it was frustrating to have such a rare mix of experienced and smart people from many different walks of life  rushing to simplify complex ideas into a few key points. Though a lot came out I suspect a different process could have generated better outcomes."

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