Multicultural Australia in partnership with QPAC is excited to be hosting Changing the Conversation: Brave Conversations About Multiculturalism, the third event in a new series of thought-provoking discussions exploring key issues in our increasingly multicultural society.
Facilitated by Benjamin Law, and featuring a panel of experts, the discussion will focus on the brave conversations we need to have as a community and a nation to become a truly successful multicultural nation.
While it is important to continue to celebrate the many strengths of our diversity, we also need to have honest conversations about what we need to do to create a society that fully reflects and cares for its people – tackling issues such as systemic discrimination, racism, privilege, and marginalisation.
Brave Conversations About Multiculturalism explores and challenges our understandings of Australian identity and how we need to adapt as individuals and collectively to achieve an inclusive Australia for all.
Click on ‘Book Now’ to be directed to QPAC ticket sales – it’s essential that tickets are pre-booked.
Moale James is a community-led storyteller and creative producer. Born in Darwin on Larrakia Country, she has spent most of her life taking part in the many productions of Drum Drum, Sunameke, Weaving Cultural Stories and Gaba Musik, which led her to grassroots, community-arts projects. Her podcast, ‘Our Women, Our Stories’, brings together Australian First Nation and Pacific Islander women to explore the ways they engage with culture and its many facets in the everyday context.
Benjamin Law - Facilitator
Christine Castley - Panelist
Imam Uzair Akbar - Panelist
Moale James - Panelist
Benjamin Law writes books, TV screenplays, columns, essays and feature journalism. Most recently, Ben edited the collection of stories, ‘Growing Up Queer’ in Australia and was also a researcher and associate producer on Blackfella Films’ ‘Deep Water: The Real Story’ (SBS) and a writer on Endemol Shine’s ‘Sisters’ (Ten). Recently he starred in the ABC’s two-part documentary series ‘Waltzing the Dragon with Benjamin Law’, where he travels from China to Arnhem Land to explore the history, unpack the present, and look to the future of Australia’s relationship with China. Every week, Benjamin co-hosts ABC RN’s weekly national pop culture show ‘Stop Everything’. He also co-hosts online startup and tech TV show ‘That Startup Show’, and you can catch him on TV shows like ‘Q&A’ (ABC), ‘The Drum’ (ABC), ‘The Projec’t (Ten) and ‘Filthy Rich and Homeless’ (SBS).
Anisa Nandaula, a nationally recognised spoken word poet, play writer, educator, and published author. She is the 2016 Queensland Poetry slam champion, winner of the XYZ Innovation in Spoken Word Prize and has performed at the Sydney Opera house and Splendour in the Grass. She shared her work on channel 10, the ABC and has now set her sights on stand-up comedy.
Christine Castley, Chief Executive Officer of Multicultural Australia. Prior to this, she was a Deputy Director-General in various Departments in the Queensland Government. Christine is a passionate advocate for equal access to justice and services for everyone regardless of their gender, beliefs, or circumstances, drawing on her lived experience as a first-generation migrant. Christine has recently been appointed as a member of an Expert Panel by the Australian Government to undertake a major review into multiculturalism in Australia.
Imam Uzair Akbar, a well-known respected scholar, dynamic speaker, and a prominent leader in the Muslim community of Australia. He has been the appointed Imam for over two decades in the century-old Holland Park mosque in Brisbane. He is currently the President of the Council of Imams Queensland (CIQ), member of the ANIC (Australian National Imams Council), Head of Shariah Advisory board with Amanah Islamic Finance Australia (AIFA), Director of Centre of Excellence (Australian Youth Welfare Trust), Director of ISHP Youth Club, and sits on the board of many other not-for-profits organizations.
Imam Uzair Akbar, a well-known respected scholar, dynamic speaker, and a prominent leader in the Muslim community of Australia. He has been the appointed Imam for over two decades in the century-old Holland Park mosque in Brisbane. He is currently the President of the Council of Imams Queensland (CIQ), member of the ANIC (Australian National Imams Council), Head of Shariah Advisory board with Amanah Islamic Finance Australia (AIFA), Director of Centre of Excellence (Australian Youth Welfare Trust), Director of ISHP Youth Club, and sits on the board of many other not-for-profits organizations.
See why previous attendees love the Changing the Conversation Series:
“An amazing night where I heard inspiring speakers and listened to a future that filled me with hope for a new direction.”
“…extremely worthwhile. Some extremely interesting speakers from across the age range. I am looking forward to the next event.”
“…the Multicultural Australia panelists were brilliant.”
Proudly supported by HopgoodGanim Laywers
Multicultural Australia in partnership with QPAC is excited to be hosting Changing the Conversation: Creating Belonging Through Storytelling, the final event in a new series of thought-provoking discussions exploring key issues in our increasingly multicultural society.
Facilitated by Benjamin Law, and featuring a panel of experts, this discussion will explore how we share and tell stories, and how our stories shape us as a nation, as a community and as individuals.
We recognise the power and importance of storytelling and is a particularly powerful tool for marginalised and stigmatised groups. Storytelling can be beneficial for the person sharing their experience, for their community and for society. Sharing personal stories is a powerful way of generating empathy, understanding and solidarity; challenging bias, assumptions, and prejudice, and driving commitment to and understanding of opportunities for human rights-based reform.
Join us in November for this thought-provoking finale for the Changing the Conversation series in 2023.
Click on ‘Book Now’ to be directed to QPAC ticket sales – it’s essential that tickets are pre-booked.
Bringing together thought leaders from academia, government, business, and the community to engage in robust discussions about multiculturalism in the Australian context, and facilitated by renowned writer and host Benjamin Law, this series explores issues of who and where we are as a nation and what we need to do to create a society that better reflects and cares for all its people. Changing the Conversation: Creating Belonging Through Storytelling is the final of four events in this series to be held in 2023.
We look forward to you engaging with this conversation.
Benjamin Law writes books, TV screenplays, columns, essays and feature journalism. Most recently, Ben edited the collection of stories, ‘Growing Up Queer’ in Australia and was also a researcher and associate producer on Blackfella Films’ ‘Deep Water: The Real Story’ (SBS) and a writer on Endemol Shine’s ‘Sisters’ (Ten).
Recently he starred in the ABC’s two-part documentary series ‘Waltzing the Dragon with Benjamin Law’, where he travels from China to Arnhem Land to explore the history, unpack the present, and look to the future of Australia’s relationship with China. Every week, Benjamin co-hosts ABC RN’s weekly national pop culture show ‘Stop Everything’. He also co-hosts online startup and tech TV show ‘That Startup Show’, and you can catch him on TV shows like ‘Q&A’ (ABC), ‘The Drum’ (ABC), ‘The Projec’t (Ten) and ‘Filthy Rich and Homeless’ (SBS).
Panelists soon to be announced.
See why previous attendees love the Changing the Conversation Series:
“An amazing night where I heard inspiring speakers and listened to a future that filled me with hope for a new direction.”
“…extremely worthwhile. Some extremely interesting speakers from across the age range. I am looking forward to the next event.”
“…the Multicultural Australia panelists were brilliant.”
We who have come from many places acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land which always was and always will be Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island land. We pay our respects to their Elders throughout all time. We walk together in solidarity of the pain of the past and the shared hope for the future.
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