Join a movement to move the world forward – at this unique UN conference
Unite for education. Unite for conservation. Unite for health. Unite for truth. Unite for the climate. Unite for human rights. Unite in action with the United Nations.
Right now, we’re outnumbered by crises of all shapes and sizes: inequality, instability, insecurity and everything in-between. To overcome them, we can’t act alone or apart. We can’t be distracted or divided. We need to work as one, on one day, in one place, with one shared vision driving us forward.
Come together for 80 years of the United Nations
For decades, the UN has brought people together as an international forum to discuss and solve the toughest global challenges, from eradicating smallpox and reducing extreme poverty to defining the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Now, as we mark our 80th anniversary, we’re calling on people like you to do the same – at a once-in-a-generation conference.
Hear from distinguished humanitarian leaders, network with others from leading NGOs, institutions and universities, and share your passion and vision on how to build a better world for all, with all.
Join the UN80: Shaping our Future Together.
Proudly Sponsored By
Conference agenda:
meet the changemakers
Richelle Harrison Plesse
Master of Ceremony, Journalist & Presenter, SBS World News
Miklos Gaspar
Director of UN Information Centre (UNIC) in Jakarta and Manila
His Excellency Gabriele Visentin
EU Ambassador to Australia
Senator the Honourable Penny Wong
Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs
Leanne Smith
Chief Executive, Australian Human Rights Commission and Ex-Diplomat
Lieutenant General Cheryl Pearce AM CSC
Acting Military Advisor, Office of the Military Advisor (Virtual)
Major General (retd.) Tim Ford AO
Director UNAA NSW, Former Military Advisor
Angela Robinson
First Assistant Secretary, Multilateral Policy & Human Rights Division, DFAT
Professor Barney Glover AO
Commissioner of Jobs and Skills Australia
Iris Brown
President, UN Youth, Australia
Professor Attila Brungs
President and VC, University of NSW
Anthony Downhill
Medical Student, UNAA NSW Volunteer
Moderated by:
Professor Simon Barrie
Emeritus Professor WSU, Chair of UNAA NSW Advisory Board
Professor Peter Greste
Professor of Journalism Macquarie University, Executive Director, Alliance for Jounalists' Freedom
Professor Monica Attard OAM
Co-Director Centre for Media Transition, University of Technology Sydney
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Professor Esperanza Martinez
Head of Health and Human Security, ANU, formerly Head of Health at International Committee of the Red Cross
Doctor Selina Namchee Lo
Executive Director, Australian Global Health Alliance
Fiona Reynolds
Chair, UN Global Compact Network Australia
Scientia Professor Veena Sahajwalla AO
Director Sustainable Materials Research and Technology Centre, UNSW
Doctor Vanessa Pirotta
Chief Scientist, Wild Sydney Harbour, NSW Premier's Woman of Excellence 2025
Moderated by:
Andrew Petersen
Chief Executive Officer of Business Council for Sustainable Development
Steve Killelea AM
Founder and Chairman, Institute for Economics and Peace
Hugh de Kretser
President Australian Human Rights Commission
Justine Nolan
Director, Australian Human Rights Institute
Thomas Mayo
Author and Indigenous Human Rights Advocate
Moderated by:
Ben Lee
International Lawyer and Human Rights Mediator
Leanne Smith
Chief Executive, Australian Human Rights Commission and Ex-Diplomat
Ryan Neelam
Director Public Opinion & Foreign Policy Program at The Lowy Institute and Ex-Diplomat
The Honourable Arthur Sinodinos AO
Chair United States Study Centre, former Australian Ambassador to the United States
Doctor Courtney Fung
Associate Professor, Security Studies, Macquarie University
Moderated by:
The Honourable Gary Quinlan AO
Former Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, Former Ambassador to the United Nations
Dinner Speaker
The Honourable Dr Anne Aly MP
Minister for Small Business, Minister for International Development, Minister for Multicultural Affairs
