2026 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 2026 Symposium was held in Adelaide on the 19th - 21th May and included a fantastic line up of national and international speakers.  

For those who couldn't make it to Adelaide 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 18th June

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

Venue: Hillview Intercultural Centre, 1-3 Hill View 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): 

$75  organisation or government representative

$25 individual community member 

SUMMIT AGENDA

9.00am – 9.30am  

Registration, tea and coffee 

9.30am – 9.40am  

Welcome to Country 

Event Opening  

9.40am – 9.50am  

Since we last met | It will have to be us  

Aleem Ali, CEO, Welcoming Australia  

9.50am – 10.50am 

First Nations Perspectives Keynote  

Dana Shen 

 Facilitated table discussion: how might we take care our ourselves so that we can continue to show up and care for our communities? 

10.50am – 11.10am 

 Morning Tea 

11.10am – 12.20pm 

Racial Dignity Framework Workshop 

Prof Kathomi Gatwiri 

 Facilitated table discussion: Group discussion on key takeaways. How might we embed these in our work? 

Stories of Welcoming | Getting on with it in Communities 

Sharin Milner, Founder, Phoenix Basketball Club  

12.20pm – 12.50pm 

 Lunch 

12.50pm – 1.30pm  

Courage and Commitment for Holding Middle Spaces  

Mark Yettica-Paulson 

Director, Super Native Unlimited  

Facilitated panel discussion   

What do middle spaces look like in WA? What enables and constrains collaboration across faith, culture, power structures? How can we nurture these spaces?  

Aisha Nancy Novakovich – Founder - Modest Fashion, Lawyer and Solicitor 

Stuart Tomlinson – Service Lead Community Development, City of Canning 

Samira Husic – General Manager Multicultural Services and Disability Services - Mercycare, Board member - Settlement Council of Australia  

1.30pm – 2.30 pm  

International Perspectives Keynote  

Anat Shenker – Osorio  

2.30 – 2.45pm

Afternoon tea  

2.45 – 3.20 

Facilitated panel discussion 

Influencing narratives, policy advocacy and driving change with stories 

Ass Prof Mary Anne Kenny – Murdoch University 

Sobia Shah – Founder, Professional Migrant Women’s association 

3.20 – 3.50 

Getting on With it in Communities | Community Building Through Dance  

Javan Reid ‘Deco’ – Jamaican dance teacher and choreographer  

Siddier Chambers – President, Perth Caribbean Association 

3.50pm – 4.00pm 

Closing Address  - Wrap Up and Where to Next?