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National online seminar to explore how human rights help fix critical social challenges

Wednesday 27 May 2026

With so many issues currently impacting on the rights of people across Australia, an upcoming national online seminar is set to unpack how we can fix wrongs with rights.

With growing concerns around social cohesion, the right to peaceful protest, housing affordability, economic inequality, and the impact of climate change and digital technologies, The Answer Is Human Rights seminar will focus on how human rights can help us address these and other challenging issues.

Presented by the Australian Human Rights Commission, the seminar is part of the Commission’s national program to mark its 40th anniversary as Australia’s national human rights institution.

With a panel of leading human rights and social justice advocates, the seminar will explore how better protection of human rights will make our communities safer and fairer.

The FREE seminar will be held on Thursday 18 June, 12:30pm – 2pm. The seminar will be delivered via Zoom and will have Auslan interpretation and live captioning.

The seminar will feature a panel discussion with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Katie Kiss, Disability Discrimination Commissioner Rosemary Kayess, Islamophobia Register Australia Executive Director Dr Nora Amath, New Israel Fund Australia Executive Director Kate Rosenberg and Australian Council of Social Services CEO Dr Cassandra Goldie AO. The discussion will be moderated by Commission President Hugh de Kretser.

President de Kretser: ‘For most of us, most of the time, Australia is a great place to live. But despite our nation’s wealth, many people are struggling. It’s in everyone’s interest to protect human rights. Protecting human rights promotes equality, safety, dignity and prosperity for all people in Australia. Stronger human rights protections will help us address challenges from fraying social cohesion to housing affordability.

‘A stronger commitment to human rights from both the Australian and Queensland governments would protect the values Australians care deeply about: equality, freedom, respect, dignity, kindness and looking out for each other.

‘This seminar is for anyone who cares about Australia’s future and about keeping our democracy healthy and strong.’

The Answer is Human Rights | National online seminar

ENDS | Media contact: [email protected] or 0457 281 897