The tale of two Sydneys - Join us in conversation with Western Sydney Leaders on Friday 17 February, presented by UTS Business School's Management Department.

Researchers have pointed out that the growth of Sydney's suburbs has occurred with increasing inequalities of opportunity and quality of life (Pearse and Hitchcock, 2019). Poverty, social exclusion, higher levels of unemployment and lower educational outcomes are key indicators of the growing disadvantage of Sydney's western suburbs. The disparities between Western Sydney and the rest of against a set of socioeconomic, climate and environmental metrics have increased after the 2021 NSW strict lockdown on 12 LGAs.

The lockdown has created a social imbalance where Western Sydney residents endured stricter rules under the lockdown imposed by the NSW government and felt targeted and racially discriminated against compared to the rest of Sydney areas.

This collaborative seminar will bring together speakers from academia, government, local community leaders and industry to discuss universities' role in addressing social inequity and creating social Impact.

All welcome to attend this free public event. We will also be providing light refreshments and Middle Eastern cuisine - please RSVP to assist with catering purposes.

If you have any questions about the event, please contact Dr Rayan Merkbawi at Rayan.merkbawi@uts.edu.au.

About the speakers

Maha Krayem Abdo OAM, CEO of Muslim Woman Australia (MWA), a representative body for Muslim women working to enrich humanity, advocating for equality and the rights of all women. Maha is a passionate advocate for social justice. In 2022, Maha received an Honorary Fellow from Western Sydney University was appointed as a Panel Member of the NSW Treasurers' Women's Economic Opportunities Review and was awarded the Committee for Sydney Unsung Hero Award in 2021.

Jihad Dib MP is the Labor Member for Lakemba. In June 2021 he was made the Shadow Minister for Emergency Services and Shadow Minister for Energy and Climate Change. Prior to entering Parliament, Jihad was appointed as the Principal of Punchbowl Boys' High School at the age of 33; a school that had been on the verge of closure but undertook an internationally recognised transformation under his leadership. Jihad is a former: Australia Day Ambassador; Commissioner on the Community Relations Commission for a Multicultural NSW; and board member of the Together for Humanity Foundation. Jihad was recognised as the 2011 Principal of the Year, received the Director NSW Public Schools Principal Award, and was awarded the NSW Pride of Australia Medal in the inspiration category.

Dr Jamal Rifi AM, is a general Practitioner and community leader in Western Sydney. He is a strong advocate of diversity, equality and justice. Jamal received a Human Right Medal from the Australian's Human Rights Commission and as Vice President of Project Rozana. His community advocacy work has been evident in the current pandemic and was acknowledged by NSW Health Minister. Dr Rifi and his team managed to vaccinate over 37 thousands against Coronavirus to protect Western Sydney community. He has featured on two occasions on the ABC Australian Story program, episode titled "just call Jamal "and "the Good Doctor".

Professor John Lydon, Economic Commissioner of the Greater Sydney Commission in January 2022. John has spent the last 25 years at McKinsey working across Europe, USA, Americas and Asia as well as Australia. He has held leadership roles including founding McKinsey Implementation globally and then leading our Australia and NZ Practice. John has been a member of McKinsey's global Senior Partners' committee, works has worked with several Business Council of Australia committees, the University of Technology Sydney's Vice Chancellor's Industry Advisory Board and the founding group of Male Champions of Change. He is also Chair of Generation Australia, an innovative Not For Profit focusing on creating sustainable jobs in Australia.

Professor Carl Rhodes is Dean of the UTS Business School, and a Professor of Organisational Studies. Carl's research investigates the ethical and political dimensions of management and leadership and regularly contributes to the media with articles and commentary on issues related to ethics, politics, and management. Carl's most recent books include Woke Capitalism Democracy Under Threat in the Age of Corporate Righteousness, Disturbing Business Ethics: Emmanuel Levinas and the Politics of Organization and CEO Society: The Corporate Takeover of Everyday Life (with Peter Bloom).

Professor Bronwen Dalton is the Director of the Masters of Not-for-Profit and Social Enterprise Program at the University of Technology, Sydney. She is also the founder and CEO of the charity Ruff Sleepers, a service that washes the dogs of homeless people while also advocating for greater awareness of the value of pet ownership for mental and physical wellbeing, and for improved housing options for homeless people with pets. Bronwen has conducted extensive research in the field of Not-for-Profit sector studies and authored book chapters and journal articles on NFP childcare, NFP business venturing, social enterprises and advocacy. She has also published studies on international NGOs and recently co-authored a book on the role of NGOs in combating Sex Trafficking.

If you have any questions about the event, please contact Dr Rayan Merkbawi at Rayan.merkbawi@uts.edu.au.