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An unprecedented nexus of domestic, regional and global circumstances is increasing international uncertainty and raising questions about the capacity of governments to deal with cross- cutting crises. Earlier this year, the Australian Peace and Security Forum was formed to foster discussion of a comprehensive national strategy to hold the Australian Government to account on its most important task: providing for the peace and security of all Australians. This non-partisan group is based at the University of Melbourne and focuses on challenges such as climate disruption, the erosion of biodiversity, nuclear weapons proliferation, regional conflicts, cyber threats, unregulated artificial intelligence (AI), and pandemics. The Forum aims to promote public discussion and facilitate informed debate.
On 22 September, the UN in New York will hold a "Summit of the Future", where representatives from the global community will negotiate the final wording of a "Pact for the Future". The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong, is expected to lead the Australian delegation. A Roundtable on the Summit, co-hosted by AIIA (ACT), will be held in Canberra on 6 August. Our speaker, Russell Rollason from the Australian Peace and Security Forum, will discuss how the 6 August Roundtable will help to fashion Australia's priorities for a meaningful outcome at the Summit.
Join us from 5:30pm for pre-presentation drinks and nibbles. This event will be in-person and streamed online.
Agenda
- Pre-presentation drinks + nibbles
- Presentation by guest speaker
Russell Rollason AM
Russell Rollason AM
Russell Rollason AM is an Adviser to the University of Melbourne Initiative for Peacebuilding and Treasurer of the newly formed Australian Peace and Security Forum. In 2005, he began 14 years with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade including a three-year posting in India. During his time at DFAT he led the establishment of the Australian Water Partnership. He has more than 20 years of experience in civil society organisations. He served 12 years as Executive Director of the Australian Council for Overseas Aid (ACFOA) which is now the Australian Council for International Development. He spent four years as the elected Chair of the Geneva-based International Council for Voluntary Agencies. He has also worked as a consultant and team leader for two Asian Development Bank technical assistance projects in Asia, and for other NGOs and companies. In 1998, he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia, for services to international development and humanitarian aid through ACFOA and promotion of social justice in Australia. He is a science honours graduate from the University of Queensland.
More information about speaker
- Q + A
