PROGRAM
Join us for a series of activities and events aimed at fostering dialogue and reflection on anti-racism and anti-racist practice. Book your place today at WALU, Western Sydney Anti-Racism Week. There is something for everybody!
19 to 23 February 2024
The Holroyd Centre, 11-17 Miller St, Merrylands NSW
MONDAY 19 FEBRUARY
Anti-Racism Week and Art Exhibition Launch / Cocktail Evening
6PM – 8PM | COST: FREE
Welcome to Country: Uncle Greg Simms
MC: Israa Aly, Bankstown Poetry Slam
Introductory words: Billie Sankovic, CEO, Western Sydney Community Forum
Artist comments: Miriam Cabello, Artist and Director, MLC Design Studio
Official Launch: Councillor Lisa Lake, Mayor of Cumberland City
Cultural performance: Khuna dance, The Williams family from the Ngiyampaa clan of Brewarrina
TUESDAY 20 FEBRUARY
Reflections on Anti-Racism Initiatives
Featuring presenters of Anti-Racism Projects, Strategies and Campaigns
TIME: 10PM – 12PM | COST: FREE
MC:
Vikram Murthy, Western Sydney Community Forum
Presenters:
> Race Discrimination Team, Australian Human Rights Commission, Anti-Racism Public Awareness Campaigns and Initiatives
> Geoff Scott, Towards Truth Project, UNSW Indigenous Law Centre and Public Interest Advocacy Centre
> Christopher Cunneen, Professor of Criminology and Team, Call-it Out First Nations Racism Register, Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research, UTS and National Justice Project
> Madly Bodin, Co-Convenor, Local Government Multicultural Network and Joy Rahab Sinclair, NSW Anti-Racism Working Group, Current Anti-Racism Strategies in NSW
> Dr Rachael Jacobs and Mehrnosh Lajevardi Fatemi, Challenging Racism Project, School of Social Sciences and Psychology, WSU
> Turkan Aksoy, NSW Coordinator Welcoming Cities, Welcoming Cities Initiatives
Codebreakers Youth Summit
Youth Leadership and Anti-Racism
TIME: 3.30PM – 5.00PM | COST: FREE
Keynote Speaker:
> Jahin Tanvir, CEO, Australian School of Entrepreneurship, The ASE Group
Moderator:
> Angelica Ojinnaka-Psillakis, Youth Affairs Advocate and Researcher
Youth Brainstorming Circles
Panellists/Facilitators:
> Matilda Harry, PhD Researcher, WSU and ZEST Ambassador
> Rajmallan Thiagarajan, Youth Ambassador and Ryde Youth Council Member
> Hamani Tanginoa, Youth Voice Coordinator, The Y NSW Parramatta
> Catherine Madziva, Youth Affairs Advocate
WEDNESDAY 21 FEBRUARY
Guided Tour of Art Exhibition
Meet the Artists
TIME: 10.30AM – 11.30AM | COST: FREE
Cross Cultural Learning / Yarning Circle
The Community Speaks: Healing and moving forward after the Voice Referendum
TIME: 11.30AM – 1PM | COST: FREE
Led by: Aunty Carol Cooper OAM
MC: Nadiana Albistur, Western Sydney Community Forum
Social Activism through the Arts
Anti-Racist Approaches (for the Cultural Development and Government and Community Sectors)
TIME: 2PM – 4PM | COST: FREE
Speakers/Panellists:
> Priyanka Bromhead, Founder and Creative Director, we are the mainstream
> Lorina Schwenke, Artist/Activist
> Marwa Charmand, Visual Arts Teacher, TAFE NSW Campbelltown
> Lisa Havilah, Chief Executive, Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences
THURSDAY 22 FEBRUARY
Leadership Forum (with buffet breakfast)
Inclusion, Cohesion and the Anti-Racist Organisation
TIME: 9AM – 11AM | COST: $30pp Members / $55pp Friends
Welcome to Country: Aunty Julie Jones
Moderator: Billie Sankovic, CEO Western Sydney Community Forum
Keynote Address: Jason Li MP, Assistant Speaker, for Minister for Multiculturalism
Guest speaker: Julia Finn MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier, and for the Arts
Speakers/Panellists:
> Joseph La Posta, CEO, Multicultural NSW
> Helen McKenzie, President, Anti-Discrimination NSW
> Gloria Tabi, DEI Specialist/Anti-Racism Expert, Everyday Inclusion
> Uncle Troy Davis, Chairperson, Gandangara Local Aboriginal Land Council
> Tristan Tipps-Webster, CEO, Reconciliation NSW
Introductory Presentation on TEST – Transformational Ethical Story Telling
Professional Development Taster
TIME: 2PM – 4PM | COST: FREE
Presenter: Doug Cronin, Director of Strategy and Partnerships, Our Race
Movie Night “Before 1770” Documentary Film Screening
(Presented by Abu Hanifah Institute and Sheikh Wesam Charkawi)
TIME: 6.30PM – 8.30PM | COST: FREE
A riveting and moving account about the time when Makassan Muslims from Indonesia sailed to Australia in the 1500s and traded with the Indigenous people of the land forging bonds of friendship, trade and family.
FRIDAY 23 FEBRUARY
Workshop: Towards Anti-Racism in Western Sydney (and Week Wrap)
(with networking lunch)
TIME: 10AM – 1PM | COST: FREE
Facilitator:
Dr Rhonda Itaoui, Director, Centre for Western Sydney, WSU
Presentations:
National Anti-Racism Framework, Dr Rosalie Atie, Project Lead and Maia Ihemeje, Policy Officer, Race Discrimination Team, Australian Human Rights Commission
Organisational Anti-Racism Strategy, Anita Hanna, Director Policy and Programs, Western Sydney Community Forum
Facilitated group discussion
“I’m Not Racist, But…” Premier Comedy Night
(Presented by Reconciliation NSW)
TIME: 7PM – 9PM | COST: $40pp OR $30pp Concession
Performers:
> Dane Simpson and Leon Filewood, Comedians
>Hamani Tanginoa, Musician, Author and Youth Activist
>Bankstown Poetry Slam Artists
Reconciliation NSW’s signature anti-racism event has developed a reputation for being funny, edgy and enlightening. Since 2012, it has showcased some of Australia’s finest comedians, musical performers and slam poets as they tackle conversations around racism, bigotry and equality in an open and interactive way.
Proudly supported by:
Funding for this project has been provided by the NSW Government.
