Accountability in crisis: the rise of impunity as a challenge to human rights will bring together academics, journalists, politicians, activists, and business leaders to explore how rising authoritarianism, prolonged global conflict, climate change, economic instability and the proliferation of digital media have triggered an erosion of the human rights principles and practice and declining trust in democratic institutions. The conference will consider how government, business, media and civil society operate to both undermine and bolster accountability.

For full session and speaker information click here for the full conference webpage.

Wednesday, 11 October 2023

Session 1 (Online) - The rise of impunity as a challenge to democracy
9.30am-10.30am AEDT
ZOOM: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87552472133

The opening session will canvas the key conference theme of the elevation of impunity over accountability and the consequences for national democratic institutions and global stability.

Speakers: Chris Sidoti, Lenore Taylor, Saffron Zomer. Moderator: Jeremy Heimans

Session 2 (Online) - The decline of accountability and the erosion of rights
11am-12pm/noon AEDT
ZOOM: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83401503985

This session will feature key human rights practitioners , media and business representatives and will explore examples showcasing the decline of accountability, and the methods employed to protect human rights both in Australia and internationally.

Speakers: Larissa Baldwin Roberts, Brynn O'Brien, Lizzie O'Shea, Siobhan Toohill, Christopher Warren. Moderator: Justine Nolan

Session 3 (Meers Hall, Art Gallery of NSW, The Domain)- Restoring public trust in democratic institutions and reinforcing rights
5.30pm (for 6pm start)-7.30pm AEDT

This session of the conference will consider innovative approaches to reclaiming accountability as a fundamental safeguard of democratic governance.

Speakers: Ed Coper, Andrea Durbach, Helen Haines MP, Simon Holmes a'Court, Shireen Morris, Moderator: Natasha Mitchell

Thursday, 12 October 2023

Session 4 - Workshop (Council Chambers, Chancellery Building, UNSW Kensington)
3pm-5pm AEDT

The workshop will examine the topics of accountability, impunity, and the protection of human rights by focusing not only on how governments are held to account by various sectors, but also on how these actors – business, traditional and new media, emerging technologies, civil society and rights holders – approach the challenges of accountability and the implications of impunity.

Speakers: Rawan Arraf, Jolyon Ford, Allison Henry, Loro Horta, Ben Newell

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