The Answer Is Human Rights | Sydney 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 people in NSW 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 and NSW'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 Anti-Discrimination NSW.

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 

• Light refreshments will be served from 5pm (official event starts at 5.30pm)

Panel 

• Justice and Equity Centre CEO Jonathon Hunyor

• ADNSW Executive Manager Mia Zahra

• Acting CEO Aboriginal Legal Service Sharif Deen

• AHRC Disability Discrimination Commissioner Rosemary Kayess

• AHRC Chief Executive Leanne Smith

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 

Jonathon Hunyor | CEO, Justice and Equity Centre

Jonathon has practised for over 25 years as a lawyer in NSW and the Northern Territory in areas including criminal law, discrimination and human rights, coronial inquests, migration and refugee law and Aboriginal land rights. Jonathon was previously the Principal Legal Officer at the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency from 2010-2016, Director of Legal Services at the Australian Human Rights Commission, and a lawyer at the Central Land Council in Alice Springs and the NT Legal Aid Commission in Darwin. Jonathon has published widely in academic and professional journals on topics across his expertise and taught discrimination law at UNSW. He appears regularly before parliamentary inquiries and in the media on social justice issues.

Mia Zahra | Executive Manager, Anti-Discrimination NSW

Over the past two decades, Mia has held various leadership roles at the Department of Communities and Justice and Legal Aid NSW. Mia has also worked at the South Australian Attorney-General's Department including Multicultural SA and the Equal Opportunity Commission of SA.

Sharif Deen | Acting CEO, Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT)

Sharif is a First Nations executive leader with deep experience across the legal, land rights and community sectors. His career spans senior leadership, policy and strategy roles within the NSW Aboriginal Land Council and CAPO Closing the Gap Secretariat, with a strong focus on self-determination, governance and driving systemic reform to improve outcomes for Aboriginal communities.

Rosemary Kayess | AHRC Disability Discrimination Commissioner

Rosemay is a leading disability and human rights lawyer who has been influential in international human rights law for people with disability. Over the last 25 years, she has been part of the formulation of international human rights law in the area of disability, since her time as designated expert on the Australian Government delegation for the drafting of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). This work has continued in her role as a member of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which she was elected to in 2018, and re-elected in 2022. She has served as Chair and Vice-Chair of this Committee. Her work nationally and internationally has advanced Australia’s agenda for the recognition and protection of the human rights of people with disability. She was the recipient of the Australian Human Rights Medal in 2019.

Leanne Smith | Chief Executive, AHRC 

Ms Smith is an international human rights lawyer. She has worked in the Australian judicial system and as an Australian diplomat. Before joining the Commission, she was Executive Director of the Whitlam Institute between 2017-2021. For over a decade, Leanne worked in various roles for the United Nations, where she led work on protection of civilians, conflict-related sexual violence, protection of women and children, community engagement and peacebuilding. Leanne also served with the UN in the field including in Afghanistan, the Balkans, Africa and Southeast Asia.

Enquires 

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

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