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Wisdom and Action Forum

5-7 May, 2026
April 1-3, 2025
Three days at the Abbotsford Convent, on lands of the Wurundjeri people.
In good company
300 leaders across business, government, academia, and community
Equality and Democracy
Equality and Democracy
Equality and Democracy
Equality and Democracy
Equality and Democracy
Equality and Democracy
Equality and Democracy
Equality and Democracy
Equality and Democracy
Equality and Democracy
WHAT IS THE FORUM

The Wisdom & Action Forum will push the boundaries of your thinking

Science tells us the next five years are a critical inflection point for humanity. The Wisdom & Action Forum is Small Giants Academy’s response — a deliberate act of hope in a time that asks everything of us.

In 2024, Sensemaking and Systems Change navigated complexity, nuance and the pressure points of change.
‍
In 2025, We Are Nature invited us to see ourselves as part of the living world — and to act with the responsibility that truth demands.

In 2026, we turn toward one of the most urgent and universal experiences of our time: Equality and Democracy.
How do we live, lead, and build in an age of deepening divides? What does it take to hold our difference?

Join us for this intimate gathering of regenerative leaders, thinkers and practitioners from around the world.

Express your interest below to attend our next
‍Wisdom and Action Forum on May 5-7, 2026.

Express Your Interest for 2026
THE WISDOM & ACTION TIMELINE

We believe emergence grows from nurturing connection— this is our five-year commitment to addressing today’s challenges.

2024 - Sensemaking & Systems Change

Cities & Systems
Our built environment, systems and cities have a profound impact on the way we live. How do we create environments that enhance human wellbeing, minimise ecological footprints, and promote sustainable practices?

2025 - We Are Nature

Nature & Environment
In the face of the climate and biodiversity emergency, there is urgent need for action. How can we acknowledge the interconnectedness between human wellbeing and the health of our environment?

2026 - Equality & Democracy

Equality & Democracy
We live in a world marked by inequality and governance challenges. How can we shape a new future characterised by equality and healthy democracy for the benefit of future generations?

2027 - Self & Belonging

Self & Belonging
The journey towards positive change begins within ourselves and our local communities. How do we enable self-awareness and community connection as the foundation of our collective progress?

2028 - Business & Economics

Business & Economics
The era of prioritising profit over people and the environment must come to an end. How can businesses be a genuine force for good, contributing to societal wellbeing & environmental sustainability?

About

Join us for this invitation only gathering of 300 leaders

On May 5-7 2026, we will gather at the Abbotsford Convent in Melbourne, Australia.

Here you'll connect with leaders across business, government, academia, community and the arts, coming together to discuss and problem-solve the challenges of our times.

We invite you to navigate complexity, nuance and the pressure points of change through thought provoking plenaries, facilitated peer-to-peer conversations and dynamic masterclasses.

Join us to create the deep connection of emergent thinking that we urgently need for this critical moment. This isn't your ordinary conference.
‍
Learn more about Small Giants Academy

2025 FORUM SPEAKERS

Thought leaders from around the world will join us to create the context and framing for discussion

View all speakers
Sweden

Nora Bateson

President of International Bateson Institute
,
UK

Alexander Beiner

Author, Founder of Kainos & co-Director of Breaking Convention
,
Canada

Julia Kim

Global Wellbeing Economy Expert
,

Lesley Hughes

Climate Scientist & Pro Chancellor at Macquarie University
,

N'arwee't Carolyn Briggs

Chairperson & Founder of Boon Wurrung Foundation
,
UK

Ben Goldsmith (Virtual)

Founder and CEO of Menhaden Capital PLC
,

Oliver Costello

Executive Director of Jagun Alliance Aboriginal Corporation
,
Sweden

Pella Thiel

Co-Founder of Swedish Transition Network & End Ecocide Sweden
,
View all speakers
Why Wisdom & Action?

Our economic system is tearing at the fabric of society and our planet.

Wealth inequality, global unrest, climate change, artificial intelligence, an ageing demographic, biodiversity loss, and an epidemic of loneliness and mental health challenges are just some of the global and existential issues facing us at this moment.

Polarisation fuelled by a toxic media landscape and social media algorithms means we can't seem to discuss these issues, let alone agree on what to do about them. It's time to come together. To hold brave spaces for difficult conversations, to hold complexity and the shades of grey so we can chart new paths forward.

‍It's time for Wisdom and Action.

Highlights

Wisdom & Action 2025, 'We Are Nature' image gallery.

‍

Testimonials

Reflections from Wisdom & Action

Here's what our community had to say.

“To learn, and lose, and laugh together. To stretch across viewpoints and achingly difficult questions. To search for hope while looking directly into fear, held tenderly with deep care for all that is.

This is the greatest gift an intentional gathering can offer us today.”

Galia Benartzi,
Co-Founder of Bancor

“I’ve been to similar gatherings around the world, but the quality of participants at Wisdom & Action Forum reflected excellent and thoughtful curation”

Michael Au,
Chair of Toniic & Founder of District Capital

"Congratulations and thanks for the thoughtfulness and vision behind it all.

People got vulnerable. They also got practical. And creative!

The Forum was so many things. Growth. Wisdom and Action."

Margie Jenkins,
Environmental Program Manager at AEGN

"There are very few spaces in the world, where people meet from a place of total openness to the metacrisis.

The heartfelt hosting created a magical atmosphere for meeting new people, I bring with me invaluable connections and collaborations."

Pella Thiel,
Co-Founder of Swedish Transition Network & End Ecocide Sweden

VIDEO RECAP

Watch highlights from our 2024 Forum
Wisdom and Action Forum 2024 - Sensemaking and Systems Change
Why Systems Change is So Hard: Daniel Schmachtenberger on Complexity, Leadership & Global Challenges
Reframing Fatalism and Change in your Everyday Life with Frances Haugen
Forgiveness Is The Highest Form of Sovereignty with Stan Grant
Finding Purpose and Meaning: Ronni Kahn on The Unlikely Pathways to Personal Impact
Explore the full playlist on Youtube
Partners

At the heart of everything we do, is the belief that collaboration is the key to transforming the world.

That's why we partner with organisations who are driven by a deep commitment to social and environmental change.

Become a Partner

Would you like to be
 at the 2026 Forum?

Join us as we come together to explore "Equality & Democracy"

Express your interest

Got questions about 
the Forum?

Explore our FAQs or reach out to our team for more information

View FAQs

Join us for this invitation only gathering

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Wisdom and Action Forum is made possible with thanks to our partners. Learn more.
The Common Good Ethical Grocer
Wild Flos
Mac Forbes
Good Hustle
Stone & Wood
Australian Land Conservation Alliance (ACLA)
Fancy Films
The Saturday Paper
B Lab
Clayton Utz
Market Lane Coffee
Slow Food Catering
Bush Heritage
Bank Australia
Intrepid Australia
The Sociable Weaver Group
Patagonia
Australian Environmental Grant Networks
Australian Ethical
Nature Based Cities
Morrow Studio
Good & Proper
Valiant
Small Giants is located on the traditional lands of the Boon Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.
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