| The CEO of the Cancer Council of NSW, Dr Andrew Penman, who was one o... The CEO of the Cancer Council of NSW, Dr Andrew Penman, who was one of the keynote speakers at the 2008 International Nonprofit and Social Marketing Conference |
International stage provided for social change advocates at UOW
17 Jul 2008 | Bernie Goldie
The Centre for Health Initiatives at the University of Wollongong hosted a conference based on the emerging new discipline of International Nonprofit and Social Marketing (INSM) over July 15-16.
“It was a fabulous opportunity for Illawarra organisations to engage in a stimulating and challenging international forum right here at home,” according to Conference Chair, Professor Sandra Jones.
The theme of this year’s conference was ‘Partnerships, Proof and Practice’. A large number of papers presented at the conference were based on collaborative projects between academics and ‘real world’ organisations.
Keynote speakers were the Director of Carroll Communications, Social Marketing and Research Consultants, Dr Tom Carroll; the Chief Executive Officer of the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Ms Sue Murray; and the Chief Executive Officer of the Cancer Council of NSW, Dr Andrew Penman.
Professor Jones said that a student pre-conference preceded the main conference which provided a great opportunity to bring together new researchers and inspire them to continue researching and teaching in the nonprofit and social marketing arena.
Ms Kelly Andrews, a Research Assistant and Project Manager in the Centre for Health Initiatives, organised both the INSM 2008 conference and the student pre-conference workshop.
Nonprofit and social marketing is an emerging discipline which is of particular interest to organisations dedicated to influencing and changing the behaviour of populations to improve their well-being and that of their community.
“We can learn from the successes of commercial marketing techniques and put these to work for improving social outcomes – Indigenous issues, health issues, the environment, corporate social responsibility and even community fundraising.”
“Of course, there are fundamental differences between social and commercial marketing, but the bottom line is that combating our social issues, whether they be gambling problems, water conservation or childhood obesity requires targeted messages promoted in the right way, at the right time,” Professor Jones said.
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