The Answer Is Human Rights | Canberra seminar

Human rights are an important part of our everyday lives. So much so, that we often take them for granted. But in a rapidly changing world, how much is at stake for Australians in terms of safety, freedom, equality, and justice?  

With growing concerns around social cohesion, the right to peaceful protest, housing affordability, economic inequality, and the impact of climate change and digital technologies, how can human rights help us solve the challenging issues of our times?  

Join some of Australia’s leading human rights advocates as they explore the issues facing Canberrans and the human rights strategies we can use to build a better and safer Australia where everyone can feel they belong. 

This seminar is for anyone who cares about Australia’s future and about keeping our democracy healthy and strong including:

• Workers in the legal, justice, government and civil society sectors

• Students of law, politics, business and culture

The seminar is presented by the Australian Human Rights Commission in partnership with the ACT Human Rights Commission.

The Answer is Human Rights national seminar series is part of the AHRC’s 40 Years program.

Read the media release about this seminar.  

Participation 

• This is a FREE event, but places are limited 

• Attendees are encouraged to register prior to the event 

• Refreshments will be available for purchase from the venue.

Panel 

• Australian Human Rights Commission President Hugh de Kretser

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Katie Kiss

• ACT Human Rights Commission President/Human Rights Commissioner Dr Penelope Mathew

• Canberra Rape Crisis Centre Nguru Support Program Manager Paula McGrady

• Yerrabi Yurwang Founding Board Member Selina Walker

Content 

• How human rights make our communities safer and fairer   

• Proposals for an Australian Human Rights Act

• Proposals to strengthen Australia’s anti-discrimination laws

• Proposals for solutions to address a range of key local issues

Accessibility 

• The venue has accessible entry and accessible restrooms.

• Please let us know if you have any specific needs in relation to accessibility during the registration process. 

Speakers 

Hugh de Kretser | AHRC President 

Hugh de Kretser has played a critical role in advancing human rights in Australia for more than 2 decades. Before joining the Commission, he was the CEO of the Yoorrook Justice Commission, the first formal truth-telling process into historical and ongoing injustices experienced by First Peoples in Victoria. He previously worked as the Executive Director of the Human Rights Law Centre and the Executive Officer of the Victorian Federation of Community Legal Centres. Hugh has also served as a Commissioner of the Victorian Law Reform Commission and a Director of the Sentencing Advisory Council.

Katie Kiss | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner

Katie is a proud Kaanju and Birri/Widi woman who grew up in Rockhampton, Central Queensland, on the lands of the Darumbal People. Katie has spent her career committed to advancing the rights, interests and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Katie has previously worked as the Executive Director of the Interim Truth and Treaty Body supporting Queensland's Path to Treaty, Chief of Staff to the Queensland Minister for Seniors, Disability Services and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, and a Senior Advisor to the Queensland Deputy Premier. Before taking the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner role, Katie spent 8 years at the Australian Human Rights Commission as Director of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Team.

Dr Penelope Mathew | President/Human Rights Commissioner, ACT Human Rights Commission

Dr Penelope (Pene) Mathew is the President and Human Rights Commissioner at the ACT Human Rights Commission. She has worked on human rights issues throughout her career, both as an academic and as a lawyer, working with human rights organizations, NGOs and with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees as an independent expert in refugee law. Dr Mathew was Dean at both Griffith University and the University of Auckland and has held positions at the University of Melbourne, the Australian National University and Michigan Law School.

Paula McGrady | Nguru Support Program Manager, Canberra Rape Crisis Centre

Paula McGrady Comes from the lands of the Kamilaroi people of Moree and Toomelah in mid northern NSW. Paula currently works at Canberra Rape Crisis Centre as the manager of the Nguru program. The service provides culturally informed therapeutic counselling support for all survivors of sexual abuse within our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. Paula has worked in youth justice, child protection, education, family domestic and sexual violence, refuges for young people and women and children escaping domestic violence roles since 1990. Since moving to Canberra in 2005, Paula has become deeply embedded within the ACT community, raising her family and working extensively across sectors that support very vulnerable people.  

Selina Walker | Founding Board Member, Yerrabi Yurwang (Welcome to Country)

Ngunnawal woman Selina Walker is a respected emerging elder and leader whose integrity has supported Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and reconciliation across the ACT. The granddaughter of Aunty Agnes Shea, a recipient of the Order of Australia and a former ACT Chief Minister’s Senior Citizen of the Year, Selina continues her grandmother’s legacy of influencing and driving change with her unwavering efforts. Selina has a strong commitment to family and work within the region. As a founding member of Yerrabi Yurwang Child and Family Aboriginal Corporation, she helps improve outcomes for Aboriginal families and children, especially those in out-of-home care.  

Enquires 

For more information about this event or how to participate, please contact us at: 40Years@humanrights.gov.au 

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