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Former governor general Quentin Bryce, Western Australia’s Chief Justice Wayne Martin and WA Governor Kerry Sanderson are among several prominent Australian and international speakers addressing a major forum on gender equality later this week.

The Leadership for Gender Equality Forum will be held at Perth Convention and Exhibition centre this Thursday 3 September, to recognise the 20th anniversary of the historic United Nations 1995 Fourth World Conference on Women .

The original UN Conference, held in Beijing, resulted in the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, adopted unanimously by 189 countries. The Declaration included a commitment to ensuring improved employment, education, health care and human rights for women and children.

The Perth forum will focus on three core themes: power and influence; economic and educational empowerment; and physical and emotional safety and well-being.

Speakers and panellists include:

• Ambassador Gertrude Mongella, the Secretary General for the 1995 Beijing Conference


• Professor Pat Dudgeon, UWA School of Indigenous Studies


• Hon. Dr Liz Constable, former WA Minister for Women’s Interests and UWA Vice-Chancellor’s Fellow


• Dina L Bell, former Vice President of Hewlett Packard


• Nicola Forrest, CEO, Minderoo Foundation


• James Pearson, Shell Australia General Manager of Communications and Government Relations


• Professor Carolyn Oldham, environmental engineering expert, The University of Western Australia


• Dr Anne Aly, expert on radicalisation and counter-terrorism, Curtin University


• Marion Fulker, CEO, Committee for Perth


• Louise Perry, Head of Media for Oxfam Australia


• Virginia Haussegger, TV news presenter, Canberra


• Maria Osman, Gender & Diversity Consultant and advocate for migrant and refugee women

Dr Casta Tungaraza, who will participate in a panel session, is the Tanzanian Goodwill Ambassador in Australia.

“Twenty years on, we can recognise both the successes of, and the outstanding challenges and issues associated with, equality throughout society,” Dr Tungaraza said.

“Beijing was a beginning and Beijing +20 provides a tremendous opportunity for us to revisit our intentions and our performance, as well as to create a space to recognise that there is still work for us to do.

“The outcomes of the proceedings will then be provided to UN Women, for review and inclusion in the outcomes of other similar events being held around the world.”

Director of AIM WA-UWA Business School Executive Education, Suellen Tapsall, said the Perth Forum was one way that local organisations could participate in Beijing +20 activities.

“This is an amazing opportunity for us to participate in important conversations with leading men and women who have expert knowledge and understanding of the current state and history of gender equality.”

The event is being supported by a cultural grant from the US Consulate General Perth. Sponsors include The University of Western Australia , the Australian Institute of Management WA and the Australian Institute of Swahili Language.

MEDIA NOTE

It may be possible to organise interviews with certain Forum speakers and panellists prior to the event. Please contact Suellen Tapsall (0405180825) for more information.

Media references

Karen Della Torre (UWA Business School)                                                         (+61 8) 6488 8538

Verity Chia (UWA Business School)                                                                   (+61 8) 6488 1346