A history of the AFN Conference

Below is a timeline of conferences along with the theme held for that year.

1998 Melbourne Vic Australia (Inaugural Facilitation Conference held in the Australasian region): ‘Foundations, Applications, Culture and Future of Facilitation’

1999 Sydney NSW Australia: ‘Explore the Art and Mastery of Facilitation’

2000 Auckland, New Zealand: ‘Invoke & celebrate the spirit of Facilitation in New Zealand and Australia’

2001 Brisbane Qld Australia: ‘Different Journeys’

2002 Melbourne Vic Australia: ‘The Art & Mastery of Facilitation: Showcasing Excellence in Facilitation’

2003 Sydney NSW Australia: [5 Streams of Facilitation] ‘Facilitation in the Social Context; New & Unusual Techniques; The Facilitator As Change Agent; Current & future uses of Facilitation; Inspiration through Facilitation’;

2004 Wellington, New Zealand: ‘Adventuring in Facilitation’.
Note: This may have been a stream or focus rather than the official theme, further documentation sincerely appreciated.

2005 Perth WA Australia: ‘Facilitating on the Edge’

2006 Geelong Vic Australia: ‘The Naked Facilitator’

2007 Adelaide South Australia: ‘Showcasing the Purpose of Facilitation’

2008 Bathurst NSW Australia: ‘Pushing the Boundaries: Facilitation Frontiers’

2009 Nelson, New Zealand: ‘Te pitau whakarei – Creating a bow wave for Facilitation’

2010 Hobart Tas Australia: ‘Resilience – Creativity – Growth’

2011 Fremantle WA Australia ‘Facilitation exposed! Unwrapping the layers around group facilitation’

2012 Commonground, near Seymour Vic Australia: ‘A Facilitators Feast’

2013 Sydney NSW Australia: ‘Building Bridges with Facilitation’

2014 Alice Springs NT Australia: ‘Walking together – the Heart of Facilitation’

2015 Ballina NSW Australia: ‘Facilitating Wholeness’

2016 Whaingaroa/Raglan, Aotearoa/New Zealand: ‘Tuakana Teina’ – referring to the concept of older siblings teaching and guiding younger siblings; also to those with more experience in a particular practice passing their knowledge and skills on to those with less;

2017 Stanwell Tops NSW Australia: ‘Marelin Yarning All Ways’ – Marelin, a Dharawal word meaning sacred; Yarning is about story-telling and/or communication; All Ways refers to global community;

2018 (21st AFN Conference) Bundoora, Melbourne Vic Australia: ‘Celebrating Diversity, Creativity & Wisdom’;

2019 South Brisbane Qld Australia: ‘What the world needs now (in facilitation)…’

Please Note: The Conferences of 2002 – 2010 inclusive were held with informal affiliation to the International Association of Facilitators (IAF) from the AFN Business Meeting held near the close of the AFN Brisbane 2001 Conference to AFN/IAF Hobart Conference Annual Business Meeting near the close of this Conference in 2010.