2025 Welcoming Australia Symposium – Perth Summit: National Conversations, Local Reflections

The Welcoming Australia Symposium brings together international, national and local practitioners, policy-makers, researchers, business innovators and civic leaders to share and discuss the challenges, benefits and opportunities of migration, settlement, cultural diversity and inclusion. 

The 2025 Symposium will be held in Sydney on the 6th - 8th May and includes a fantastic line up of national and international speakers.  

For those who can’t make it to Sydney we are partnering with the City of Canning to host an event in WA which will provide an opportunity to: 

• Watch the symposium highlights (view the speakers list here)
• Digest the Symposium insights with local panelists  
• Celebrate the contributions of award winners   
• Build connections with people who share our vision of a Welcoming Australia  

Date: Thursday 29th May 

Time: 9.00 arrival and registration, 9.30am start – 4pm finish 

Venue: Hillview Intercultural Centre, 1-2 Hillview Place Bentley 

Enjoy global cuisine with lunch, morning and afternoon tea provided  

Ticket price (includes access to all Symposium presentations/panels online which can be viewed after the event): 

$65  organisation or government representative

$35 individual community member 

Agenda 

2025 Welcoming Australia Symposium – Perth Summit 

National Conversations, Local Reflections. 

9.00am – 9.30am  

Registration, tea and coffee 

9.30am – 11.00am  

Welcome to Country 

Event Opening  

Welcoming Australia update – on the ground in WA! 

First Nations Perspectives Keynote - Symposium Highlight 

Pat Anderson AO  

Weaving Grief and Joy: Building Coalitions for Change - Live Local Panel Discussion   

We’re stronger, together. How can we harness our collective power to strengthen movements for social change that invite people in?  

11.00am – 11.30am 

Morning Tea 

11.30am – 1.00pm 

National Perspectives Keynote - Symposium Highlight 

Dr James O’Donnell (Australian National University)   

From Evidence to Action - Facilitated Table Activity  

What do these national trends mean for our local communities? How might we use some of this evidence to inform local initiatives that promote inclusion and strengthen social cohesion?  

Stories of Welcome – Local Panel Discussion  

How are WA local governments are creating opportunities and connecting people through food and culture? 

1.00pm – 1.45pm 

Lunch 

1.45pm – 2.45pm  

International Perspectives Keynote  - Symposium Highlight 

Paidraig O’Tuama (Poet, theologian & host of On Being’s Poetry Unbound) 

The Art of Bringing People Together - Fire side chat with local storytellers 

Storytellers play a vital role in creating communities where everyone can belong. How can we nurture opportunities and create spaces where we can speak from the heart and connect through stories? 

2.45pm – 3.00pm  

Afternoon tea  

3.00pm – 3.30pm  

Celebrating winners of the Welcoming Cities Awards  

Poetry Provocation

Priyanka Bromhead (Founder, We Are the Mainstream)  

3.30pm – 4.00pm 

Closing Address  

Wrap Up and where to next?
Belonging starts in our households, neighbourhoods, schools, sports and community clubs, universities, cities, regions and workplaces. How will we all play an active role in creating spaces where everyone can belong?