The Centre for Optimism

26/09/2026

Optimism is an economic force.

When people can see credible possibilities for a better future, they invest, create, employ, learn, cooperate and take prudent risks.

In his new article, Centre for Optimism Chief Optimism Officer Victor Perton argues that economic optimism should be treated as a strategic asset, with consequences for prosperity, wellbeing, democracy and peace.

Read: The Economics of Optimism

Victor Perton on the economics of optimism, for the International Association for Peace and Economic Development

11/09/2026

What is Compassionate Optimism?

Compassionate optimism means seeing suffering clearly, caring deeply, believing that better outcomes are possible, and choosing to act to help bring them about.

Read More:

What is compassionate optimism? Victor Perton explores a phrase linking clear-eyed realism, care, possibility and action, inspired by Tory Burch.

05/09/2026

Imagine a book that has been closed for almost 2,000 years because opening it would destroy it.

That is the challenge researchers have faced with the carbonised scrolls buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79.

Now, using CT scans, computer vision and artificial intelligence, they are beginning to read these ancient texts without physically opening them. Words that have been hidden for nearly two millennia are appearing again, and hundreds more scrolls remain to be explored.

This makes us optimistic.

Not simply because the technology is remarkable, but because it shows what persistence can achieve. People preserved these fragile scrolls for generations, long before anyone knew how they might one day be read.

Optimism is often like that. We do not always know how a problem will be solved, but we keep learning, preserving, experimenting and believing that new possibilities may emerge.

Sometimes the future helps us recover the past.

04/09/2026

Thirty years ago, HIV/AIDS was one of the most frightening health crises in the world. Today, there is remarkable evidence of what science, leadership, community action and persistence can achieve: new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths are now at their lowest levels in more than 30 years. UNAIDS estimates that new infections have fallen by 65% from their 1994 peak, while AIDS-related deaths are down 73% from their 2004 peak. Millions of people still need treatment and the work is far from finished, but this is real progress. It is a powerful reason for optimism: problems that once seemed overwhelming can change when people keep learning, caring, investing and acting.

30/08/2026

Good news from the Philippines: millions fewer people are living in poverty.

The Philippines has recorded a substantial fall in poverty. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the proportion of Filipinos living below the national poverty line fell from 15.5% in 2023 to 9.7% in 2025.

That means about 6.5 million fewer people were classified as living in poverty in just two years. Every one of the country’s 18 regions recorded a statistically significant decline in family poverty.

There is still much to do. Around 11 million Filipinos remain below the national poverty line, and poverty remains much higher in some regions than others.

But progress matters.

Optimism is strengthened by evidence that difficult problems can improve. Economic growth, better jobs, social protection, investment and effective public policy can change lives at scale.

This is what progress looks like: not perfection, but millions of people moving towards greater security, opportunity and possibility.

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority, 2025 poverty statistics.

16/08/2026

"Positivity in a New Light" by Gabriella Vukman

Excellent reading!

From the first time you hear positivity guru Victor Perton speak, his line of work is obvious. Upon answering my phone call, before I could so much as ask a question, Mr Perton had already levelled his own query my way through the crackling phone line. “What has been the best thing about your day ...

16/08/2026

Please join Victor Perton tomorrow evening at the Healesville RSL for an uplifting conversation with the Rotary Club of Healesville.

We will explore optimism, leadership and the practical ways each of us can help build a stronger future for our community.

Rotary people understand something important: good things do not simply happen. People see a possibility, come together and take the next wise step.

Dinner is from 6.00 pm, followed by my presentation at 6.55 pm.
Healesville RSL, 275 Maroondah Highway
RSVP: Terry Hill, 0419 678 915

What makes you optimistic?
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18q5hy7V87/

WHAT MAKES YOU OPTIMISTIC?

Join Rotary Club of Healesville on Monday 17 August for an evening with Victor Perton, Chief Optimism Officer at The Centre for Optimism and one of Australia’s leading voices on optimistic leadership.

Victor’s presentations are engaging, practical and highly participatory, helping people strengthen their optimism, resilience, leadership and sense of possibility, both at work and in their communities.

A former Victorian parliamentarian and barrister, Victor has served as Victoria’s Commissioner to the Americas and as a senior adviser to the Australian Treasury during Australia’s G20 presidency. He is also the author of 'Optimism: The How and Why'.

📍 RSL Healesville, 275 Maroondah Hwy
🍽️ 6:00pm | Join us for dinner with Healesville Rotarians
🎤 6:55pm | Victor's presentation

Come along, meet some great people, enjoy dinner and leave with a few new ideas about optimism, leadership and what is possible.

For details and to RSVP, contact Terry Hill on 0419 678 915

Meals and drink avaibale for purchase at the bar.

05/08/2026

“I’m an optimist by nature. I really love people, I love life, I love adventure, change, and learning. . . . I think we all have to wake up in the morning and decide that we’re going to love our day, even if we’re not feeling the moment."

Nice reflection by Leigh Swinimer!

SEAFORTH - Whether it would be filling up the tank or washing the car, it's a trip Seaforth locals make daily without a second thought.

28/07/2026

🌱 𝐐𝐮𝐢𝐞𝐭 𝐨𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐦: 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞

AFSA recently had the privilege of learning from Victor Perton, founder of the 𝑪𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑶𝒑𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒎. His session was a powerful reminder of the importance of maintaining hope, resilience, and purpose — especially when working towards meaningful change.

Advocating for animals in research is not always easy. Progress can be slow, the challenges are significant, and we are working within a system that is complex and deeply established. At times, it can be easy to feel discouraged.

The concept of “quiet optimism” resonated strongly with our team: that optimism is not about ignoring challenges or assuming change will happen quickly. It is about continuing to believe that progress is possible, recognising the steps forward, and finding the motivation to keep contributing to positive change.

With that said, we are feeling much more optimistic about the future for animals in laboratories in Australia and are ready to tackle another 6 months of advocacy with renewed spirit, perspective and courage. 💪

Thank you, Victor, for recognising AFSA’s work and reminding us that meaningful change is built through persistence, compassion, and collective effort.

Read Victor’s blog on AFSA and quiet optimism:
https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/quiet-optimism

28/07/2026

What is Pathological Optimism?

What is pathological optimism? Victor Perton explores persistent optimism grounded in reality, human goodness, redemption and purposeful action.