The 15th National Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand (EIANZ) Conference will have a cultural twist this year, with the formal launch of the Regional Cultural Alliance. A joint venture of six peak cultural organisations, (Australia Council of National Trusts, Museums Australia, Regional Arts Australia, the Australian Library and Information Association, the Australia Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) and the Federation of Australian Historical Societies) the Regional Cultural Alliance will work to secure Regional Australia’s future by focussing on its cultural assets. Combining with the Regional Cultural Alliance, the EIANZ Outback Summit will focus on the social and cultural environment of Outback Australia and ask how best it be sustained. Exploring the Summit themes of Earth, Fire, Water and the Human Spirit, key speakers will explore a comprehensive range of topics, including environmental and social challenges to the sustainability of regional Australia. Circus Oz founding member, and former Director of the Community Arts Board of the Australia Council, Jon Hawkes, will lead a discussion on the intersection between Australia’s environment and the cultures it has created in The Link Between Culture and Environment. Other conference sessions to examine the intersection include Culture and Sustainable Communities, Outback Heritage, Spirit and Community and Cultural Outreach. For more information about the Outback Summit and for a complete program of events CLICK HERE