2025 National Social Cohesion & Inclusion Conference

The 2025 National Social Cohesion and Inclusion Conference is the fifth in a series of conferences on social cohesion hosted by the Australian Baha’i Community. These conferences aim to be an ongoing space to explore the various settings, approaches, and methods that help to foster greater social cohesion and inclusion in Australia. They are opportunities for those who are thinking deeply about the progress of our country to deliberate, learn, share ideas and reflect on experience. See previous conferences at oea.bahai.org.au

This year’s conference is entitled "coming together around shared aspirations" and will focus on the following themes: 

• inclusive dialogue; 

• First Nations perspectives;

• communities as protagonists; 

• neighbourhood settings as areas for learning and impact.

The conference will include keynote presentations, panels and ample time for small group discussions amongst conference participants with civil society leaders and representatives. Speakers, panellists, and performers include:

• Aleem Ali - CEO, Welcoming Australia

• Anthea Hancocks - CEO, Scanlon Research Institute

• Dr. Penny Taylor - Truth-telling and Reconciliation

• Rosemary Kariuki OAM - 2021 Australian Local Hero, Author, Multicultural Community Liaison Officer

• Yvonne Weldon AM - Councillor, City of Sydney

• Daniel Barakate - Director, Commissioning and Planning, NSW Department of Comunities and Justice

• Mehraban Farahmand – Coordinator, Adasiyyih Development Initiative

• Samim Loftus – Board Member, NSW/ACT Training Institute

• May Sabet – Youth Program Coordinator

• Anieszka – Australian/Mauritian Musician

We invite diverse participation from government officials, civil society and industry leaders, academics, media, arts, and community and faith representatives, who will participate in a program designed for connection, discussion, exploration, and co-creation of new pathways forward for our country.

To ensure that cost is not a barrier to participation, scholarships will be provided on request at: ausbahaievents@bahai.org.au.