Will virtual worlds get a guernsey at Rudd’s summit?

In recent weeks there’s been significant coverage of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s summit (two examples here and here). Some commentators see it as an opportunity to get some ideas on the table bt it’s fair to say most see it as a talk-fest unlikely to generate any lasting policy initiatives. I wouldn’t be quite as cynical as that, but I have my doubts on how much can be achieved with a thousand people in a room for two days. The ego quotient alone will pose a challenge.

Given the focus is Australia’s future in 2020 you’d hope there’s at least a studied mention of the impact virtual worlds are likely to have in the future. The potential downsides of heavy virtual world use on its own should draw some interest let alone all the great opportunities to be had in the virtual sphere that could benefit Australia in coming years. Some of the more obvious challenges for government in regard to virtual worlds include:

1. Australia’s lagging broadband infrastructure;
2. Consumer protection in virtual world transactions;
3. Clarity on taxation and financial regulation;
4. Appropriately trained addiction and counselling services;
5. Expansion of research and development funding for business, non-profit, education and health in the virtual world sphere.

Who would you like to send to the summit to wave the flag? What questions / issues would you like to see raised?

(I’ve already declined an invitation – I’m washing my hair that night ).