Welcoming Cities, Darling Downs Southwest Queensland Summit: Building Welcoming and Inclusion in Transitioning Economies

The Welcoming Cities Summit - Darling Downs/SouthWest brings together local leaders, businesses, educators, and community organisations to explore how social inclusion and community engagement drive economic and workforce resilience in transitioning regional economies. Through keynote insights from Julia Spicer OAM, panels on economic transition and community-led inclusion, and practical sessions led by Dr Stephen O’Grady and Cate Gilpin from Welcoming Australia, participants will learn strategies for building welcoming workplaces, fostering social cohesion, and supporting workforce development. The summit highlights collaboration, grassroots initiatives, and actionable steps to create thriving, inclusive communities across the Darling Downs and SouthWest Queensland.