Agenda
Day One - Wednesday, 12 June 2024
8:15
Registrations and Welcome Coffee
8:45
Welcome to Country
Uncle Allen Madden
9:05
Aventedge Introduction
9:10
Chairperson’s Opening Address
Aisha Aboulfadil, Senior Advisor Diversity & Inclusion, Victorian Department of Transport
9:20
Recognising domestic and family violence as a workplace issue in accordance with the National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children
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Designing flexible and considerate workplace policies that provide safety and continued employment for people who are experiencing domestic and family violence
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What role do employers have to play in early intervention?
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Cara Gleeson, Acting Chief Executive Officer, Our Watch
THE EVOLVING DE&I LANDSCAPE
9:55
Why the conversation on inclusion in the workplace must continue
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Where are we today? Celebrating progress and bridging gaps
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Broadening definitions of diversity and positive action initiatives
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Combating discouragement through slow progress and recognising it’s an initiative without a set finish line
Lisa Annese, CEO, Diversity Council Australia
10:30
Networking Bingo
10:45
Morning Tea
11:15
Panel Discussion: Navigating Diversity and Inclusion - Strategies for Cultivating an Equitable Workplace
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What can workplaces do to address persisting microaggressions and create a more inclusive working environment?
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Acknowledging the differences of the modern workplace and shifting workforce behaviour accordingly
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Designing inclusive and effective policies that address intersectionality and intersecting identities
Moderator: Aisha Aboulfadil, Senior Advisor Diversity & Inclusion, Department of Transport
Edward Osano, Head of GradWISE, WISE Employment
Jason Teoh, Career Transition Coordinator, Workforce Mobility Advocate, SSI
Improving cultural safety and workplace experience for First Nations people
12:05
Creating a workplace environment that is committed to healing and reconciliation
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Establishing inclusive workplace policies that enable First Nations employees to prioritise healing and community
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Choosing a Reconciliation Action Plan that is right for your organization and your employees
Nareen Young, Professor for Indigenous Policy, UTS Jambunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research
12:35
Networking Lunch
INCLUSIVE BY DESIGN - BUILDING A NEURODIVERSE & ACCESSIBLE WORKPLACE
1:40
The future landscape for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees
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Moving beyond filling recruitment quotas and towards improving retention rates of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees through inclusive working environments
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Setting First Nations employees up for success and career progression
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What makes a workplace appealing to prospective First Nations employees?
Kaylee Hipwell, First Nations Employee Journey Expert, ANZ
Richard Hurst, Indigenous Employment and Engagement Manager, Monash University
2:15
Ensuring an inclusive workplace for both apparent and non-apparent disabilities
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Creating a workplace that is accessible for people with a disability and neurodiverse people
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Designing effective framework to enhance the employee experience
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Ensuring workplace policies are inclusive of intersecting identities
Akii Ngo, Senior Co-design and Engagement Advisor, National Disability Insurance Agency
2:50
Table Discussion: Combating DE&I Fatigue and avoiding burnout
3:10
Afternoon Tea
ADVANCING RACIAL EQUITY IN THE WORKPLACE
3:30
Panel: Unpacking racial equity in the workplace
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Understanding the systemic and institutional barriers facing diverse employees
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Attracting and retaining culturally diverse talent
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Ensuring that CALD employees have ample and equal opportunities for career progression
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Avoiding role pigeon-holes for CALD employees
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Attracting skilled migrants into under-represented positions
Moderator: Aisha Aboulfadil, Senior Advisor Diversity & Inclusion, Victorian Department of Transport
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Padmi Pathinather, People and Culture Director, Lifestart Co-Operative Ltd
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Cilla Robinson, Employment Partner, Clayton Utz (she/her)
Anne Das Gupta, Head of People and Culture, Sydney Water
4:30
Chairperson’s Closing Address
Aisha Aboulfadil, Senior Advisor Diversity & Inclusion, Victorian Department of Transport
4:40
End of Day One
Day Two - Thursday, 13 June 2024
8:30
Registration and Morning Refreshments
9:00
Chairperson’s Welcome Address
Roman Ružbacký, Principal Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Consultant (he/him)
LEADING THE WAY – FOSTERING AN INCLUSIVE CULTURE FOR PEOPLE & BUSINESS SUCCESS
9:10
Keynote: Making DE&I accountability a reality in your organisation
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Setting measurable DE&I goals that align with business objectives
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How to engage employees at all levels in DE&I efforts and ensure DE&I is a shared responsibility
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Holding leaders accountable for DE&I outcomes – how to foster a sense of urgency around DE&I initiatives
Dr Teresa De Fazio, Director, Intersect Global Partners
9:40
CEO Panel: Leading with Purpose – Building inclusive cultures and driving employee engagement
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Leading inclusivity from the top to drive cultural transformation
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Creating a culture of belonging and inclusivity to build an engaged and diverse workforce
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Fostering an inclusive workplace culture – supporting refugees and immigrants in the workplace
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Ensuring DE&I doesn’t just fall on the shoulders of DE&I practitioners
Moderator: Roman Ružbacký, Principal Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Consultant, Roman Ruzbacky & Associates
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Vase Jovanoska, Chief Executive Officer, RANZCOG
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David Lamming, Chief Executive Officer, Plenary Group
Steven Zinsli, Chief Executive Officer, Health Now
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Rachel Green, Chief Executive Officer, SANE Australia
10:40
Morning Tea
CREATING SAFE SPACES – PROMOTING RAINBOW INCLUSION & ALLYSHIP AT WORK
11:10
Case Study: D&I roadmaps and measurement metrics (AWEI)
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How the AWEI brought significant change to LGBTQ+ inclusion
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Applying methodology to other D&I Initiatives
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Discussion on measurement and practice
Christopher Nelson, Associate Director People, Pride in Diversity, ACON
11:40
Panel Discussion: Creating an inclusive environment that permeates all levels of an organisation
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Unpacking the impact of LGBTQIA+ friendly policies on employee engagement and retention
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How to address stereotypes and biases towards non-binary individuals in the workplace so they feel accepted and included
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How to encourage open and respectful dialogue on LGBTQIA+ Issues in the workplace
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How to build an ally network within the organisation
Moderator: Luli Adeyemo, Director & Founder, Best Case Scenario
Steph Sands, Head of Diversity and Inclusion, Capgemini
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James Hare, Owner and Diversity Specialist, Equality Group
Nicki Elkin, Associate Director, Quality, Training & Research, ACON's Pride Inclusion Programs, ACON
12:30
Networking Lunch
ASSESSING AND MEASURING DE&I OUTCOMES
1:40
Designing a cultural safety framework
Niveditha Balachandran, Inclusion and Diversity Lead, Transport Accident Commission (TAC)
2:10
Interactive Mini-Workshop: Measuring inclusion and diversity
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What are the desirable outcomes of diversity and inclusion initiatives?
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Identifying effective metrics to genuinely measure an organisation’s inclusivity
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Avoiding settling solely for diversity measurements
Fiona Krautil, Founder, Diversity KnowHow
3:00
Forum Wrap-Up and Identifying Key Takeaways
3:15
Afternoon Tea