Conference Day 1: Monday 29 October 2012

• › Jacinta Tynan, columnist Sun Herald; presenter, Sky News, Australia

• What makes the human brain unique?
• How have our brains evolved?
• What makes us self-aware?
• The neurons that shaped civilization
• The amazing plasticity of the human brain

• › Prof V. S. Ramachandran, one of the world's most influential scientists, also known as the 'Marco Polo' of neuroscience, Center for Brain and Cognition, University of California, San Diego, USA, United States

• How do our desires and impulses affect our mental wellbeing?
• How does inattention affect our minds?
• What impact do negative thoughts have?
• How can we remedy emotional imbalances?
• How can we cultivate mental and emotional balance in our lives?

• › B. Alan Wallace, leading scholar, author and meditation teacher, Santa Barbara Institute for Consciousness Studies, USA, United States

• The power of music
• How can we bring out the best in everyone?
• The role of perseverance in achieving your goals
• What life lessons can be learned from playing music?

• › Mrs Karen Carey, Director of Music, MLC School, Burwood, NSW, Australia

• What are your expectations of and attitudes to the progress of your mind as you get older?
• Who are your role models for ageing?
• Do you expect your memory to be better or worse in 10 or 20 years?
• What does science say about the possibility of improving your mind as you age?
• How can you optimise your mental powers as you get older?
   

• › Michael J. Gelb, pioneer in the fields of creative thinking, accelerated learning and innovative leadership; Founder & President, High Performance Learning and The Creativity and Innovation Leadership Academy, USA, United States

• How can brain plasticity contribute to self-development?
• How does culture change brains (and brains change culture)?
• How can we harness brain plasticity to overcome special neurological or psychiatric burdens?
• Leading a healthy, “plasticity-science” informed life

• › Prof Michael Merzenich, pioneer in brain plasticity research, Posit Science Corporation, USA, United States

• How does your attitude to death impact your life?
• What can death teach us about how to live?
• How can we transform our attitudes to death?
• Enriching individual, family and community experiences of death and dying

• › Venerable Yeshe Khadro, Director, Karuna Hospice, Brisbane, Australia

Be moved by the compelling story of a busy, enthusiastic doctor and daughter who suddenly becomes her bereaved and dependent father’s carer.  After spending most of her professional life helping others deal with dementia, Dr Helena finds herself putting into practice everything she preached.

• › Dr Helena Popovic, medical doctor, researcher and specialist on how to improve brain function, Choose Health, Australia

• What is emotional intelligence?
• How can you harness the power of your positive emotions?
• How can you develop your emotional intelligence?
• How will this help you achieve your life goals?
• Incorporating emotional intelligence into your life – at work and at home
   

• › Sue Langley, researcher, thought leader and trainer in emotional intelligence, positive psychology and neuroscience; Founder, Emotional Intelligence Worldwide, Australia

Be uplifted and inspired by the remarkable story of Sam Cawthorn, a young man who overcame all odds when he was pronounced dead at the scene of a horrific car accident. Sam’s story is one of resilience, overcoming adversity and his message is not simply about ‘bouncing back’ from crises, but instead ‘bouncing forward’ into the land of opportunity.

• › Sam Cawthorn, youth futurist, Young Australian of the Year, Tasmania, 2009, Sam Cawthorn, Australia

• Why is a belief in your ability to succeed at work so critical?
• Why are transitions periods of threat and opportunity?
• What role does resilience play in success?
• What could be a game plan for sustaining my success?

• › Dr Roger Collins OA, Chairman, Grant Thornton, Australia; Emeritus Professor, University of NSW, Australia

• Manage complexity and thrive on chaos by gracefully keeping a number of things “up in the air” at the same time.
• Approach mistakes creatively as you learn to “let the balls drop.”
• Use teamwork to create a cooperative learning environment.
• Learn anything you want to as well and as fast as you can.
• Apply the principles of accelerated learning to become a more effective coach for your colleagues, subordinates, family, and friends.
• Juggle!

• › Michael J. Gelb, pioneer in the fields of creative thinking, accelerated learning and innovative leadership; Founder & President, High Performance Learning and The Creativity and Innovation Leadership Academy, USA, United States