Event location: Curtin University, Perth, Australia & Online
Event date and time: 18/07/2023 17:00:00
CANRAD's Director, Prof Bhekithemba Mngomezulu, delivers a keynote address at Curtin University (Perth, Australia) for an event in celebration of Mandela Day 2023, entitled "Reflections on Racial Discrimination, Self-Determination and Justice in South Africa and Australia".
Hosted by Curtin University's Centre for Australia-Africa Relations, the UNAA WA, Curtin Centre for Human Rights Education and Nelson Mandela University, we invite you to join us in marking International Nelson Mandela Day 2023 to honour Nelson Mandela's vision of equality, justice, and self-determination.
Be part of the conversations that explore what the road to self-determination entails and what it means for the South African and Australian contexts. This event brings together experts and leaders from African and First Nations communities to create an opportunity for a critical dialogue through which to examine how a future of healing in Australia may be strengthened.
About the event
Video Remarks:
Ambassador Justin Mohammed: Ambassador Justin Mohamed is Australia’s inaugural Ambassador for First Nations People. He is a Gooreng Gooreng man from Bundaberg in Queensland. Ambassador Mohamed has a strong connection to community having worked for decades in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations, as well as in the government and corporate sectors, on issues spanning health, social justice, and reconciliation.
Keynote Speaker:
Prof. Bhekithemba (Bheki) Mngomezulu: Prof Mngomezulu is the Director of the Centre for the Advancement of Non-Racialism and Democracy at Nelson Mandela University, South Africa. Prof. Mngomezulu is a interdisciplinary scholar with research interests in international relations, foreign policy, comparative politics, higher education, elections, identity politics, traditional leadership and local government, among others. Formerly, he served as the Deputy Dean of Research in Economic and Management Sciences at the University of the Western Cape and as the CEO of the Mzala Nxumalo Centre for the Study of South African Society in KwaZulu Natal
Q and A panellists:
Daniel Morrison: Daniel has cultural connections to Noongar, Yamitji and Gija country. Since 2010, Daniel has been leading Wungening Aboriginal Corporation as the chief executive officer. Daniel also supports the broader community through roles as co-chairperson of Social Reinvestment WA (since 2012), deputy chairperson of the WA Network of Alcohol and Drug Association (since 2010) and Board director at the WA Council of Social Service. Daniel is committed to promoting collaborative, inclusive relationships where the Aboriginal community is encouraged to engage, establish their voice, work together to develop suitable solutions and be part of the bigger picture.
Maria Osman: Maria is a racial justice and human rights campaigner and Non-Executive Director of various Boards in WA, including Gnaala Karla Booja Aboriginal Corporation, the Child and Adolescent Health Service, the WA Voluntary Assisted Dying Board, and the UWA Public Policy International Advisory Board. Maria has held a diverse range of senior State government positions including Executive Director, Office for Women’s Policy, Executive Director, Office of Multicultural Interests and A/Executive Director, Community Building and Services in the Department for Local Government and Communities. She is the founder of Amani Yoga , Perth first healing racial stress and yoga offering.
Dr Yirga Gelaw Woldeyes: Senior Lecturer, Centre for Human Rights Education, Curtin University, Perth. Yirga Gelaw is a multidisciplinary researcher and writer based at Curtin University’s Centre for Human Rights Education, Australia. Drawing from the history, philosophy and experiences of marginalised people and diverse communities, Yirga contributes critical insights for reimagining the future and addressing epistemic and racial injustices. He researches African experience and Ethiopian traditions and writes creatively on belonging and diasporic lives.
