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The seeds of the SLaM Network were sown in 1997 when a number of academics from the University of Sydney, Charles Sturt University and the University of Western Sydney came together with students and members of the general community to organise a conference around the theme of spirituality, leadership and management. The concept of our founders was to create:
'an opportunity for those searching for better ways to live, work and learn, to come together and share their wisdom ...... to listen, to discern and to commit to a better future for the world we share'
The inaugural SLaM Conference was held on the Hawkesbury campus of the University of Western Sydney in 1998, and attracted 254 delegates. This very successful conference was followed by a second at the same venue in 1999, by which time the network had well established international connections.
The idea of creating a formal network was canvassed at the 1999 conference and as a result SLaM was incorporated in March 2000 as the Spirituality, Leadership and Management Network Limited, a not for profit public company limited by guarantee. The stated purpose of the company is to 'undertake public education concerning the integration of spirituality, leadership and management.'
As SLaM grew it quickly drew attention at national and international levels, attracting speakers and conference attendees from around the world. To cater for this widespread audience the conference venue was moved in subsequent years to Ballarat (2000), Canberra (2001), the Gold Coast (2002) and Perth (2003/2004).
Parallel to the annual conferences, SLaM developed other ways to further its purpose, including regular network discussion groups called SLaM@Work Cafes (now active in five states nationally and in Hong Kong, with more international venues coming soon), an internet presence, the Journal of SLaM compiled by an international editorial team, and a quarterly e-Newsletter. In 2003 SLaM's Board of Directos endorsed the principles of the Earth Charter, a synthesis of values, principles and aspirations that are shared by an increasing number of people worldwide.
SLaM has now established itself as an international forum for exploring issues of spirituality, leadership and management, with members spread across 21 countries around the world.
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