Brave Conversations about Multiculturalism is the third event in the series of thought-provoking discussions exploring key issues facing a multicultural Australia.

The event on Wednesday 23rd August is delivered in partnership with QPAC, celebrating Multicultural Australia’s (MA) 25th anniversary this year.

MA CEO, Christine Castley said it is imperative we have a conversation on just how we move forward as an all-inclusive society.

“Australia’s success as a multicultural community is something to be celebrated. But we must also have open honest discussions about what’s needed to create a nation that fully reflects and cares for all its people.

“Privilege, racism and systemic discrimination all continue to be very real issues that must be acknowledged and tackled if we are ever to achieve a fair and inclusive Australia for everyone.

“And this means having some very brave conversations across all our communities and across our multicultural nation,” Ms Castley said. “A key question is how we have these brave conversations in a way that is courageous, confident, compassionate and constructive.”

“I expect some robust discussion from the panel on just who we are as a nation and how we can all play an important part in taking positive steps forward as a country and as a community.”

Benjamin Law will facilitate Brave Conversations about Multiculturalism.

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).

The expert panel will feature:

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.

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.

MA’s Changing the Conversation series began in March focussed on the Uluru Statement from the Heart as the lead-up to this year’s Voice Referendum.

The 2nd in the series, before another packed audience examined Artificial Intelligence in the Digital Age. How AI will affect an increasingly multicultural Australia and how best we can navigate the challenges and opportunities it presents.

Previous attendees of the Changing the Conversation Series said:

“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 panellists were brilliant.”

For media enquiries please contact Stanton Dunn, Communications, Marketing and Events Manager on 0493 291 699 or stantond@multiculturalaustralia.org.au