About The Conference

The Townsville Intercultural Centre is hosting the Unity In Diversity Conference at the Queensland State Library on the 1st - 3rd July 2020, bringing together the whole community to discuss, prepare and learn from each other about how to best address the issues we face as a society.

Through the lens of Unity in Diversity, the conference seeks to investigate and explore concepts of social justice, equity, inclusion, identity, cultural diversity, inclusive services, and community cohesion.

The program will build upon 40 years of community service by the Townsville Intercultural Centre, involving delegates from diverse communities, service providers, religious representatives, government and advocacy groups to engage with key issues affecting social cohesion, inclusive human services and the Australian identity crisis.

Keynote speakers include Nova Peris, Professor Marcia Langton, Professor Andrew Jakubowicz, award-winning media presenter Stan Grant, and Race Discrimination Commissioner, Chin Tan.

In attendance will be refugee and migrant sector agencies, government policy and decision-makers, peak bodies, culturally and linguistically diverse community leaders, academics, human rights advocates and the wider community. The conference will provide a platform for an open and honest discussion about diffusing barriers and creating a new set of discourses and approaches beyond the current multicultural vision. Key conversations about inclusion, employment, identity, mental health, belonging, faith and other factors affecting communities across Australia.

The Steering Committee of the National Unity in Diversity Conference

Kerrin Benson - Consultant - Multicultural Australia
Bill Gamack - CEO - Multicultural Australia
Mitra Khakbaz - Deputy CEO - Host International
Galila Abdelsalam - Director - Islamic Women's Association Queensland
Jeremy Audas - Chairperson - Townsville Intercultural Centre
Aleem Ali - CEO - Welcoming Australia
Abraham Francis - Associate Professor - James Cook University
Moses Nelliman - Committee Member - Townsville Intercultural Centre
Jill Armstrong - Regional Manager - Multicultural Development Australia
Rita Prasad Ildes - Director - World Wellness Group
Farvardin Daliri - Executive Director - Townsville Intercultural Centre
Maureen Heron - Operational Manager - Townsville Intercultural Centre