{"id":246,"date":"2026-09-09T13:58:25","date_gmt":"2026-09-09T03:58:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/digitalsovereigntyforum.com.au\/2026\/?page_id=246"},"modified":"2026-09-10T18:50:21","modified_gmt":"2026-09-10T08:50:21","slug":"why-attend","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/digitalsovereigntyforum.com.au\/2026\/why-attend\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Attend?"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ next_background_color=”#ffffff” _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#000000″ background_image=”https:\/\/digitalsovereigntyforum.com.au\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/dsf-2026-black-gold-hexagonal-background-2000x926px.jpg” background_pattern_repeat_origin=”center” custom_padding=”||100px||false|false” bottom_divider_style=”asymmetric2″ bottom_divider_height=”50px” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][dipi_dual_heading first_heading=”Why Attend?” heading_tag=”h1″ heading_display=”column” _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” first_heading_font=”–et_global_heading_font||||||||” first_heading_text_color=”#FBCC13″ first_heading_font_size=”50px” first_heading_line_height=”1.4em” second_heading_font=”–et_global_body_font|||on|||||” second_heading_text_color=”#FEEEB1″ second_heading_line_height=”1.4em” first_heading_font_size_tablet=”40px” first_heading_font_size_phone=”30px” first_heading_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/dipi_dual_heading][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ module_id=”about” _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||100px||false|false” bottom_divider_style=”asymmetric2″ bottom_divider_color=”#FEEEB1″ bottom_divider_height=”50px” bottom_divider_flip=”horizontal|vertical” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Australia\u2019s digital future is being shaped right now.<\/h1>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]The choices we are making about technology, capability, investment and collaboration will determine what kind of digital nation we become – and what opportunities will be available to future generations.<\/p>\n

Digital capability will increasingly underpin Australia\u2019s productivity, prosperity and ability to shape its own future.[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”||||||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

How do we ensure Australia\u2019s digital future unfolds in a way that means technology works for us, not against us?<\/h4>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

The Digital Sovereignty Forum<\/strong> brings together thoughtful people passionate about a digital future that goes well for all Australians. It is a chance to take stock, connect the threads and imagine what we could achieve if we brought together our collective capabilities, ambitions and resources.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” background_enable_color=”off” use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_color_gradient_stops=”#feeeb1 0%|#ffffff 100%” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||0px||true|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Imagine it\u2019s 2031.<\/h1>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]Australia is recognised as a leader in trusted AI and digital capability across the Asia-Pacific.[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

What did we build to get there? What did we stop? Who made it happen – and how?<\/h4>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

At the Forum, we will start from that future we want and work backwards. Through a series of provocations from 2031<\/strong>, we will explore the choices, breakthroughs, investments and collaborations that could have made that future possible.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ll hear from people who can challenge our thinking, open up new possibilities and help us see the opportunities – and the difficult decisions – ahead. We\u2019ll then bring those ideas into discussion and practical work, connecting the research, initiatives, policy, investment and capability already underway.<\/p>\n

The aim is to pause, take stock and evaluate where we are and where we want to be and then to identify what we need to do differently to make it happen. Where are the gaps? What should we accelerate? What might we need to stop doing? Who needs to be involved? And what needs to happen first?<\/p>\n

This is a day to think beyond individual projects and organisations, to make connections that might not otherwise happen, and to explore what becomes possible when we bring our collective ambition to the same table.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”–et_global_heading_font|600|on||||||” text_text_color=”#E09900″ text_letter_spacing=”1px” global_colors_info=”{}”]Come ready to imagine, challenge, contribute and help shape the future we want.[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,2_3″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||0px||true|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][dipi_divider content_text=”How the Day Will Work” items_alignment=”left” hide_first_element=”on” first_decoration_line_color=”#EFBF04″ content_padding=”10px|10px|10px|0px|false|false” _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/dipi_divider][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

The Forum will be a highly participatory day, bringing together a series of short provocations, facilitated discussion and practical table work.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ll begin by imagining the Australia we want to see in 2031, then work backwards to explore the choices and actions that could make that future possible. Along the way, we\u2019ll be updated on initiatives, policies and legislation underway; hear new ideas, identify gaps and dependencies, and consider where our collective action could make the greatest difference.<\/p>\n

The day is designed to be a conversation<\/strong>. We want everyone in the room to contribute, challenge, connect and help shape what comes next.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,2_3″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||0px||true|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][dipi_divider content_text=”Provocations from 2031″ items_alignment=”left” hide_first_element=”on” first_decoration_line_color=”#EFBF04″ content_padding=”10px|10px|10px|0px|false|false” _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/dipi_divider][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

We are inviting contributors to imagine they are looking back from 2031 – a future in which Australia has built trusted AI and digital capability that is recognised across the Asia-Pacific.<\/p>\n

What would they tell us we did differently?<\/h4>\n

What breakthrough made the biggest difference? What did we choose to invest in? What did we stop doing? What challenge did we finally solve? Who had to work together? And what decision, made today, set us on that path?<\/p>\n

We are looking for provocations – ideas that challenge assumptions, open up new possibilities, surface difficult choices or help us see a different path forward.<\/p>\n

Your contribution might be a bold prediction, a lesson from experience, a future scenario, a difficult question, a cautionary tale or a practical example of what is already working. It might challenge the room to think bigger, think differently or think more urgently.<\/p>\n

The invitation is to help us imagine the future we want – and then work backwards to identify what it will take to get there.<\/strong><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/forms.gle\/nBT6bgBHP9kYgbkP7″ url_new_window=”on” button_text=”Submit a provocation” disabled_on=”off|off|off” _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,2_3″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||0px||true|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][dipi_divider content_text=”Outcomes” items_alignment=”left” hide_first_element=”on” first_decoration_line_color=”#EFBF04″ content_padding=”10px|10px|10px|0px|false|false” _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/dipi_divider][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

By the end of the Forum, we want to have:<\/p>\n