Season 3, Ep 5: Sophie Howe on How A Country can Transform
What if Australia had a national conversation about the country we want to have, and the kind of ancestors we want to be — and then enshrined these goals into legislation? What if we asked school children to write postcards to their future selves and construct their dream cities using lego and minecraft, and decision-makers really listened? What if different sectors — from health and transport to business and NGOs — came together inspired and united by a shared vision of what we want?
Meet Sophie Howe, the groundbreaking leader who had a front seat in driving this transformation in Wales, as the world’s first ever Commissioner for Future Generations. Her job description was to be the legislated “conscience of the nation and voice of future generations" under the country’s Future Generations Act. What she actually did required no small amount of inspiring people, building relationships, navigating political systems — as well as sometimes “banging heads together”.
Sophie joins us to talk through the journey Wales has been on and the lessons for Australia: how we can strengthen and rebuild trust in government and institutions like our public sector; how ideas can snow-ball, gathering others to drive incredibly brave, long-term, cross-siloed solutions; and why getting the systems of government right makes every other breakthrough possible. As the Albanese Government puts its oars in the water for the first time towards a wellbeing framework of our own, Sophie reckons those of us who want to see Australia follow a similar path could be “knocking on an open door”. This conversation also builds on our chat chat with Dr Cressida Gaukroger in episode 2 of this season (‘The Road to Wellbeing’)— check it out if you missed it.
This episode of the reMAKERS was recorded on the lands of the palawa people in lutriwita/Tasmania. We honour the Traditional Owners of these lands and waters, and pay our respect to Elders past and present.
Show notes
Things we mention
The Wellbeing of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 — including the 7 wellbeing goals
The ‘SDGS’ — UN Sustainable Development Goals
‘Slow lanes’ in the supermarket for people who want to talk
Wales announcing a moratorium on new roads (changing tack from more freeways to active and public transport infrastructure)
Hospitals working with green construction firm to re-purpose vacant lands
Recommendations and things you can do
Check out Measuring What Matters — the first wellbeing report from Australia’s Treasurer Jim Chalmers.
Watch Sophie’s John Menadue Oration — her recent speech for The Centre for Policy Development in Australia.
Learn more about the role of Future Generations Commissioner and key achievements.
Read “Governments can do amazing things” — Millie’s blog inspired by Sophie Howe’s 2023 John Menadue Oration.
Tell your MP you support a National Conversation about ‘the Australia we want’, and look out for other opportunities to get involved.
Donate to support these conversations and the work of Australia reMADE.
Subscribe to the reMAKERS podcast (hit ‘follow’ in your podcast app). Share on social, write a review, tell a friend.
Join the conversation. Find us on social media (@Australia reMADE) or email us at podcast@AustraliareMADE.org.