Program | Australian Social Cohesion Summit 2025

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON OUR SPEAKERS CLICK BELOW

9:00am - 9:50am

Auditorium

Conference Welcome

Anthea Hancocks - CEO, Scanlon Foundation Research Institute

9:50am - 10:30am

Plenary: Panel Discussion #1

In a time of rapid change, what anchors us as Australians and how do we protect and grow that?

10:30am - 11:00am

MORNING TEA

11:00am - 12:00pm

Jon Faine AM - Former Radio Presenter, Broadcaster, Writer and Public Speaker

Keynote Presentation

Dr James O’Donnell - Demographer, Australian National University

Mapping Social Cohesion Report Launch 2025

Viv Nguyen AM - Chairperson, Victorian Multicultural Commission
Kos Samaras - Director, RedBridge Group
George Savvides AM - Former Chairman, SBS Australia

Attendees may attend one session per breakout.

The breakout sessions are deliberately designed to spark meaningful dialogue and deeper conversations on social cohesion. Breakout sessions will use the Fishbowl technique, a participatory format that allows large groups to engage in a single, evolving conversation. A small group of speakers begins in the centre—“the fishbowl”—while others listen from the surrounding seats. Audience members can choose which session to join, and will first hear from experts from different sectors, then they can join the discussion by rotating into the centre, ensuring a diversity of perspectives and a dynamic, inclusive exchange of ideas.

MORNING BREAKOUT SESSION

Auditorium

Room 9.03

Fishbowl Session 1 - Youth

Room 9.44

Young people score 50 points above the average for acceptance, what can be done to harness that and build our social cohesion?

FACILITATOR: Kano Ravalji - Youth Commissioner, Victorian Multicultural Commission

Phy Mei Liu - Director of Research and Program Evaluation, Future Women

Lydia Tesema - Founder and Strategic Communications and Engagement Expert, Below the Surface

Fishbowl Session 2 - Women

Room 9.52

Why are women crucial to our social cohesion and to the successful transition of others joining our communities?

FACILITATOR: Padmini Sebastian - Director, Engagement and Partnerships, University of Melbourne

Farhat Firdous - Director, Story is Connection

Eva Hussain - Executive Director, Polaron

Fishbowl Session 3 - Neighbourhoods

Room 9.53

People are happier when they live in areas of high neighbourhood cohesion, how do we strengthen that cohesion?

FACILITATOR: Ali Ahmed - Senior Development Manager, University of Melbourne

Rosita Vincent - Co-CEO and Founder, Neighbourhood Collective Australia

Michelle James - Manager, Neighbourhoods, City of Melbourne

Workshop 1 - How To Do Good Qualitative Research

Room 9.41

This workshop is designed for those interested in conducting research or gaining a better understanding of how to approach it, particularly in the context of social cohesion. It will cover best-practice qualitative methods, including how to develop strong research questions, conduct interviews and focus groups, and analyse rich, narrative-driven data. Participants will explore how qualitative research can capture lived experiences and deepen understanding of community dynamics.

Trish Prentice - Senior Researcher, Scanlon Foundation Research Institute
Dr Tamsin Dehar - Research Manager, Talbot Mills Research
Nyima Wangchuk - Research Consultant, Social Research Centre

Workshop 2 - How To Do Good Quantitative Research

Room 9.42

Ideal for those looking to conduct or better understand research, this workshop introduces best-practice approaches to quantitative methods with a focus on social cohesion. Participants will learn how to design effective surveys, apply sound sampling techniques, collect reliable data, and interpret statistical findings. The session will equip attendees with the tools to generate meaningful insights that can shape programs, policies, and community initiatives.

Dr Rouven Link - Senior Research Analyst, Scanlon Foundation Research Institute

Matthew Skidmore - PhD candidate in Applied Linguistics, Monash University

Workshop 3 - The Social Cohesion Compass

Room 9.43

Learn how to use the Social Cohesion Compass, a data visualisation tool developed by the Scanlon Foundation Research Institute to explore social cohesion and democratic resilience at the Local Government Area level. This session will use practical examples of LGAs to unpack key indicators of social cohesion, helping participants interpret localised data and understand community strengths and challenges.

Dr John van Kooy - Senior Manager, Social Research, Scanlon Foundation Research Institute
Phoebe Johnston - Research Analyst, Scanlon Foundation Research Institute

Workshop 4 - Program Design for Social Cohesion Initiatives

Auditorium

Learn how to design effective programs that address social cohesion at the community or local level. This session will explore practical frameworks and real-world case studies, offering insights into what works, why it works, and how to tailor initiatives to meet the needs of diverse communities.

Anthea Hancocks - CEO, Scanlon Foundation Research Institute

Aleem Ali - CEO, Welcoming Australia

12:00pm - 1:15pm

LUNCH

1:15pm - 2:15pm

Attendees may attend one session per breakout.

The breakout sessions are deliberately designed to spark meaningful dialogue and deeper conversations on social cohesion. Breakout sessions will use the Fishbowl technique, a participatory format that allows large groups to engage in a single, evolving conversation. A small group of speakers begins in the centre—“the fishbowl”—while others listen from the surrounding seats. Audience members can choose which session to join, and will first hear from experts from different sectors, then they can join the discussion by rotating into the centre, ensuring a diversity of perspectives and a dynamic, inclusive exchange of ideas.

AFTERNOON BREAKOUT SESSION

Room 9.03

Fishbowl Session 1 - Youth

Room 9.44

Young people score 50 points above the average for acceptance, what can be done to harness that and build our social cohesion?

FACILITATOR: Elvis Tran - Project Officer, The Scanlon Foundation

Robiel Abraham - CEO, African Youth Initiative

Salman Warsame - Co Founder, Local Transit Co.

Fishbowl Session 2 - Women

Room 9.52

Why are women crucial to our social cohesion and to the successful transition of others joining our communities?

FACILITATORS: Tigst Kebede - Founder, Senior Trauma Counsellor and Executive Coach, Pola Practice

Nasalifya Namwinga - Founder, Senior Clinical Psychologist, Research Lead, PhD Student, Pola Practice

Caroline Zelinski - Writer & Journalist, The Age

Sherene Hassan OAM - Education Director, Islamic Museum of Australia

Fishbowl Session 3 - Neighbourhoods

Room 9.53

People are happier when they live in areas of high neighbourhood cohesion, how do we strengthen that cohesion?

FACILITATOR: Rachel Scotland - Manager Community & Partnerships, The Huddle

Kashif Bouns - Director Strategy & Operations, Victorian Multicultural Commission

Emma Bacon - Founder & Executive Director, Sweltering Cities

Workshop 1 - The Social Cohesion Compass

Room 9.41

Learn how to use the Social Cohesion Compass, a data visualisation tool developed by the Scanlon Foundation Research Institute to explore social cohesion and democratic resilience at the Local Government Area level. This session will use practical examples of LGAs to unpack key indicators of social cohesion, helping participants interpret localised data and understand community strengths and challenges.

Dr John van Kooy - Senior Manager, Social Research, Scanlon Foundation Research Institute
Phoebe Johnston - Research Analyst, Scanlon Foundation Research Institute

Workshop 2 - Program Design for Social Cohesion Initiatives

Auditorium

Learn how to design effective programs that address social cohesion at the community or local level. This session will explore practical frameworks and real-world case studies, offering insights into what works, why it works, and how to tailor initiatives to meet the needs of diverse communities.

Anthea Hancocks - CEO, Scanlon Foundation Research Institute

Aleem Ali - CEO, Welcoming Australia

Workshop 3 - How To Do Good Qualitative Research

Room 9.43

Ideal for those looking to conduct or better understand research, this workshop introduces best-practice approaches to quantitative methods with a focus on social cohesion. Participants will learn how to design effective surveys, apply sound sampling techniques, collect reliable data, and interpret statistical findings. The session will equip attendees with the tools to generate meaningful insights that can shape programs, policies, and community initiatives.

Trish Prentice - Senior Researcher, Scanlon Foundation Research Institute

Dr Tamsin Dehar - Research Manager, Talbot Mills Research

Nyima Wangchuk - Research Consultant, Social Research Centre

Workshop 4 - How To Do Good Quantitative Research

Room 9.42

Ideal for those looking to conduct or better understand research, this workshop introduces best-practice approaches to quantitative methods with a focus on social cohesion. Participants will learn how to design effective surveys, apply sound sampling techniques, collect reliable data, and interpret statistical findings. The session will equip attendees with the tools to generate meaningful insights that can shape programs, policies, and community initiatives.

Dr Rouven Link - Senior Research Analyst, Scanlon Foundation Research Institute

Matthew Skidmore - PhD candidate in Applied Linguistics, Monash University

2:30pm - 3:00pm

Plenary: Panel Discussion #2

If social cohesion starts where we live, learn, and lead - are women, youth, and neighbourhoods Australia's true cohesion architects?

3:15pm - 4:30pm

AFTERNOON TEA

4:30pm - 5:00pm

Closing Remarks and Reflections

Mayor Cr Nick Reece - Lord Mayor, City of Melbourne
Dr Mario Peucker - Associate Professor and Principal Research Fellow, Victoria University

David Hua - Director of Audio and Language Content, SBS

Rev Helen Summers OAM - Founder and Director, The Interfaith Centre of Melbourne

Room 9.03

Auditorium