Purpose is a new documentary feature film (2024, 96 min.) that follows the journey of two political economists, Katherine Trebeck & Lorenzo Fioramonti, as they embark on ambitious political projects to move our societies away from their self-destructive course and towards sustainability. They have a dream - to change the way progress is measured, in order to change what governments do.

We are thrilled to welcome Dr Katherine Trebeck, who will be introducing the film, and participating in a Q&A afterwards.

Mount Alexander Shire Council's new Economic Development Strategy embraces a "wellbeing economy" approach. This FREE film screening and Q&A is a unique chance to explore how we can shape an economy that prioritises the wellbeing of people, place and the environment right here in the shire.

The film Purpose asks the central question of our time: what is the purpose of our economies, and how can we change it? How can we shift our economic systems away from endless GDP growth, towards what really matters for people and planet? A world in which we no longer serve the economy, but the economy serves us.

It's a film about the origin story and early ambition of the “Wellbeing Economy Governments” project (“WEGo”), and about simultaneous attempts to introduce wellbeing economics policies into the Italian government. It's ambitious stuff and the journey to forge a path that may change our future is anything but smooth sailing.

Purpose premiered in June at the 2024 Wellbeing Economy Forum in Iceland, and the film is starting to make its way around the world, provoking important conversations and action to move the dial on economic systems change.

After the screening, a Q&A panel will feature Dr Trebeck, Merryn Tinkler (Council’s Manager Economy and Culture), and Warwick Smith (Program Director - Wellbeing Economy, Centre for Policy Development, and co-founder of the Castlemaine Institute).