Strength in unity: cohesion as a democratic cornerstone
Program may be subject to change
9.30am
Opening Remarks and Recap of Day One
9.45am
Keynote Speech and Q&A
The Hon Jihad Dib – Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government, Minister for Emergency Services, and Minister for Youth Justice
10.15am
The media’s role in nurturing social cohesion
Panel discussion unpacking how media can both support and undermine messages of social cohesion and democratic resilience in Australia.
Mariam Veiszadeh – CEO, Media Diversity Australia
Dr Susan Carland – Monash University
Davide Schiappapietra – Head of Language Content, SBS
Dr Rhonda Itaoui – Director, Centre for Western Sydney
Key themes
- What really influences media coverage of contentious issues, and how this impacts community perceptions more broadly.
- The decision making process of media outlets regarding reporting, and its implications for social cohesion.
- Practical ways that organisations can engage meaningfully with the media to create and embed positive narratives that drive social cohesion.
10.45am
Growing social cohesion through the arts and cultural expression
Discussion exploring the role of arts and cultural organisations in promoting social cohesion and participation within communities.
Zola Maddison – Director of Events and Training, Australian Library and Information Association
Augusta Supple – Arts and Cultural Strategist
Key themes
- How the creative industries approach community engagement and social cohesion differently.
- How to deliver the key elements required to create a safe environment for people to express themselves through the arts.
- What practitioners and decision makers can do to drive social cohesion through community led initiatives and storytelling.
11.15am
Morning Tea and Networking
11.45am
Looking over the fence
Discussion with speakers regarding what approaches are successfully strengthening social cohesion in other countries, and what the potential risks are within an Australian context.
Tim Dixon – Co-Founder, More in Common
Dr Jennifer Hsu – Senior Visiting Fellow, UNSW
Key themes
- How interventions to strengthen social cohesion are delivered in American, English and Chinese societal contexts.
- The comparative strengths and opportunities in the Australian context, as well as the potential vulnerabilities.
- The tangible lessons from abroad that can be applied by practitioners and decision makers in their day to day roles.
12.45pm
Lunch and Networking
2.00pm
Concurrent Workshops
Workshops with multiple speakers, facilitated to engage audience and generate data across a range of different topics and interest areas.
Practical ways people and community groups can combat misinformation
Session highlighting the risks associated with misinformation in regards to democratic resilience, and practical ways in which individuals and groups can combat it.
Stijn Denayer – All Together Now
Dr Miah Hammond Errey
Dr Tanya Notley – Western Sydney University
Key themes
- The role of frontline organisations and leaders in combatting misinformation within communities
- The most effective ways of countering harmful misinformation narratives
- How to stay safe and minimise risk while addressing misinformation
Young people and safeguarding democratic resilience in Western societies
Session unpacking the role of young people in shaping cohesive communities, and what young leaders can do to shape policy decisions which impact future generations.
Caitlin Figueiredo – ACT Young Australian of the Year
Professor Philippa Collin – Co-Director, Young and Resilience Research Centre, Western Sydney University
Rumbi Mbambe – Executive Director, Chain Reaction Foundation
Shaieste Heidari – Project Officer Stronger Children and Communities, Liverpool City Council
Key themes
- Why its critical that young people are involved in conversations regarding democratic resilience
- What needs to be changed within organisations in order to positively influence engagement from young people
- How young people can be supported to meaningfully participate in decision-making processes
Creating cohesive communities by addressing social isolation.
Session exploring the different systemic and individual aspects of social isolation, and how practitioners can drive meaningful connections in their community through civic engagement.
Associate Professor Neil Hall – Western Sydney University
Juana Reinoso – Chief Executive Officer, CORE Community Services
Brooke Endycott – Director, Community Life, Burwood Council
Key themes
- The cascading impacts of social isolation on an individual and a community level.
- Practical examples of how social isolation has been addressed at scale within communities to drive positive outcomes.
- How practitioners and decision makers can create and amplify opportunities for civic engagement within their everyday work.
Responding to disaster – supporting communities during adversity.
Session unpacking community resilience in the context of adversity, including natural disasters, and how communities come together to respond.
Dr Malcolm Haddon – Associate Director, Community Resilience Multicultural NSW
Joanna Quilty – Head, Preparedness and Recovery, NSW Reconstruction Authority
Nemat Kharboutli – Manager, Linking Hearts, Muslim Women Australia
Key themes
- The many contexts in which frontline workers and decision makers may have to lead community responses during adversity.
- What to prioritise when working with community in order to successfully respond to disaster or adversity.
- How to meaningfully engage with community through recovery efforts to build community resilience.
2.45pm
Afternoon Tea and Networking
3.15pm
Keynote Address and Q&A
Stephanie Foster PSM – Secretary of the Department of Home Affairs
3.45pm
Into the Unknown
Discussion exploring social media’s impact on social cohesion and what must be done to build resilience to hateful conversations online.
Vikram Murthy – Manager, Policy and Programs, Western Sydney Community Forum
Angelica Ojinnaka-Psillakis – World Federation of United Nations Associations Youth Council
Key themes
- The factors that are driving the rise of harmful rhetoric online and how this is impacting day to day interactions.
- How organisations and leaders can build community resilience and counter harmful narratives online.
- What practitioners and decision makers can do in order to create a safe space for dialogue relating to critical societal issues
4.15pm
Keynote Address
Craig Foster AM
4.45pm