Menadue Oration – CREATE. CONNECT. CONVINCE.

A Global Leader Boosts Wellbeing Ambition

Inaugural Future Generations Commissioner of Wales, Sophie Howe, is the first public official in the world appointed to guard the interests of future generations.

Appointed in 2016 as part of a program identified by the Redefining Progress report as world-leading, Sophie’s guidance and challenges to government decision-markers transformed national approaches to transport, planning, environment, health and education.

Her term concluded in January 2023, and on Tuesday 18 April she delivered the fourth John Menadue Oration.

The John Menadue Oration

A sold-out Wheeler Centre audience including leaders across government, philanthropy and the private sector heard from Ms Howe, CPD Chair Sam Mostyn, and Professor Fiona Stanley on the Australian path to wellbeing.

The visit took place at a critical juncture, with the Commonwealth government just publishing the nation’s first wellbeing framework. Sophie’s wisdom and insights gave shape and direction to a growing alliance of influential people and organisations supporting a national goal-setting conversation in Australia, and built understanding and buy-in across the public service.

Making the Case

CPD facilitated a fortnight of high-level meetings between Ms Howe and key leaders including Federal Treasury Secretary Stephen Kennedy, Federal Ministers and their advisers, the Department of Prime Minister & Cabinet, Children’s Commissioner Anne Hollonds and key members of State governments. We also enabled her to appear on Channel 10’s The Project; ABC TV’s Q&A; RN Breakfast; RN Big Ideas and more.

This combination of direct engagement with key figures and public messaging advocacy has played an important role providing direction and shape to Australia’s developing wellbeing approach.

The Oration Over The Years

Sophie Howe joins an esteemed group of leaders invited to deliver CPD’s flagship address, named after founding chair John Menadue AC.

The inaugural address was given in 2018 by former Indonesian Foreign Minister Dr Marty Natalgawa. This was followed in 2019 by an address by Italian-American economist Professor Mariana Mazzucato. In 2020 Indigenous lawyer, academic and member of the Prime Minister’s Referendum Council, Professor Megan Davis, became the first Australian to delivered the address.

Professor Mariana Mazzucato

Dr Marty Natalegawa

Professor Megan Davis

Sophie described a process of deep citizen engagement which captured the soul of Wales, enabling them to plan and work today for a sustainable future for children. This is perfectly timed for Australia as we build on the realisation that good government must use our wealth to care for community, not simply chase growth without purpose

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