Scanlon Foundation Research Institute

At the Australian Social Cohesion Summit 2025, we’re using the Fishbowl format to explore three key areas shaping our future:

Fishbowl Session 1 – Youth
Young people score 50 points above the average for acceptance, what can be done to harness that and build our social cohesion?

Fishbowl Session 2 – Women
Why are women crucial to our social cohesion and to the successful transition of others joining our communities?

Fishbowl Session 3 – Neighbourhoods
People are happier when they live in areas of high neighbourhood cohesion. How do we strengthen that cohesion?

These are not panels. These are conversations, and everyone is invited to take a seat.

Date - 16 October 2025 | Melbourne
Register now: https://ow.ly/5ctT50WwuJF

The Scanlon Foundation Research Institute is proud to support the upcoming "It's Not Just Cricket" panel event hosted by the Australia India Business Council Victoria. A timely conversation on how cricket fosters inclusion, belonging and identity in communities.

This event builds on our publication, "It's Not Just Cricket" by Vanessa Murray – a compelling narrative that explores how South Asian communities are reshaping the cricketing landscape, creating culturally safe clubs, and driving social cohesion from the grassroots up.

Date - Wednesday, 6 August 2025
Time - 6.00 pm – 8.00 pm
Venue - State Sports Centre, Parkville
Ticket price - $25 AIBC members | $50 non-members
Register here: https://lnkd.in/dBRSUPUJ

Moderator
Vanessa Murray, Narrative Strategist & Author of It's Not Just Cricket
Panel Speakers
Giles Gunesekera OAM, Founder & CEO, Global Impact Initiative
Molina Asthana GAICD, Sports Chapter Chair, hashtag
Key Guests
Dr Sushil Kumar Ji, Consul General of India, Melbourne
Anthea Hancocks, CEO, Scanlon Foundation Research Institute
Radhika Kanhai, President, AIBC Victoria

We are excited to announce a pre-summit roundtable in advance of the Australian Cohesion Summit 2025.

This session will be hosted by Bwe Thay, Deputy Chairperson of the Victorian Multicultural Commission, and facilitated by Anthea Hancocks, CEO of the Scanlon Foundation Research Institute.

The discussion will focus on practical pathways to building a more cohesive society and will bring together diverse voices from the community, with an emphasis on women, youth, and neighbourhoods.

This roundtable forms part of the broader conversation leading up to the national Summit, a platform for connection, dialogue, and action.

The Scanlon Foundation Research Institute is committed to supporting the diversity of individuals and organisations working to strengthen social cohesion in Australia. To encourage broad participation and help reduce barriers to attendance, we are pleased to offer Conference Scholarships for the upcoming Australian Social Cohesion Summit in Melbourne.

Eligibility for Full Scholarships:

Part of a volunteer-run or community organisation
Recognised community leaders
Students
Members of a sports club

Applications are now open — https://ow.ly/8snL50Wm5nC

Plenary Panel Spotlight

In a time of rapid change, what anchors us as Australians, and how do we protect and grow that?

Our opening Plenary Panel Discussion will bring together three influential voices to explore what social cohesion looks like in modern Australia:

Vivienne Nguyen – Chairperson, Victorian Multicultural Commission
Kosmos Samaras – Director, RedBridge Group
George Savvides AM – Former Chairman, Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) Australia

Together, they’ll unpack the values, institutions, and shared experiences that can unite us — and what it takes to sustain them.

Join thought leaders, community voices, and changemakers from across Australia for a full day of powerful panels, hands-on workshops, and participatory Fishbowl sessions — all centred on Youth, Women, and Neighbourhoods as the drivers of social cohesion.

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We’re thrilled to announce that Jon Faine will open the 2025 Social Cohesion Summit!

With a career spanning decades in journalism, law, and public dialogue, Jon brings a wealth of experience to the conversation on courage, complexity, and common ground. As the former host of ABC Radio Melbourne’s morning program, Jon has shaped public debate for over twenty years and continues to challenge ideas through writing, teaching, and speaking.

Join us for a keynote that sets the tone for an engaging, solutions-focused summit.

Register now: https://ow.ly/Zmag50WbbIv
Early Bird registrations end on 30 June 2025

Early bird extended – Just for a little longer!

If you haven’t secured your ticket to the 2025 Social Cohesion Summit, now is your chance. Join us in Melbourne this October as we explore how youth, women, and neighbourhoods shape the future of inclusion.

Tickets are limited to 200 participants due to the Summit’s highly interactive format.
Visit - https://ow.ly/bsHy50W9Bwo.

Good news!
Early bird tickets for the Australian Social Cohesion Summit 2025 have been extended until 30 June.
This October, join us in Melbourne for a dynamic, solutions-driven event focused on 'Building on Our Strengths: The Role of Youth, Women, and Neighbourhoods in Fostering Social Cohesion.'
Expect in-depth conversations, collaborative workshops, and inspiring speakers, with only 200 places available to keep the experience truly interactive.
Date - Thursday 16 October 2025
Early bird ends 30 June — book now! https://www.sfrisocialcohesionsummit2025.org/registration

📣 We are excited to announce that early bird tickets are now on sale for the Australian Social Cohesion Summit 2025, hosted by the Scanlon Foundation Research Institute in Melbourne this October.

This landmark event with the theme "Building On Our Strengths: The Role of Youth, Women, and Neighbourhoods in Fostering Social Cohesion," will bring together participants from across Australia for an engaging, solutions-driven summit focused on one of the nation’s most pressing challenges: How do we foster inclusive and thriving communities?

We encourage diverse participation from government officials, industry leaders, academics, and community representatives who will convene for a highly program designed to connect, challenge, and co-create new ideas for Australia’s future.

With a highly interactive nature program, places are strictly limited to 200 participants to ensure meaningful dialogue, deep engagement, and collaborative participation.

Full program and speakers to be released soon!

📍 Melbourne | 📅 16 October 2025
🎟️ Secure your early bird tickets now: sfrisocialcohesionsummit2025.org

🔍 As Australia heads toward the 2025 federal election next Saturday, there's never been a more important time to unpack the forces shaping our democracy.

Catchup on all episodes of the Scanlon Institutes latest podcast: Truth, Trust & Politics, a six-part series within the Voices of Australia podcast, hosted by journalist Mary Gearin.

In this timely series, we explore:

Who gains from misinformation?

Who is left behind?

How can we rebuild trust in media, politics, and public institutions?

🎧 Catch up on all episodes before election season hits full swing.

🔗 Listen now on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyVASXyMX-X6BQuW2cOHZtp7pwC4jEw1l&si=6V2sak8LwazKGdCG

Also available on all podcast listening apps: https://info9dk.podbean.com/

🗳️ Final Episode: Truth, Trust & the Future of Democracy

Political trust is at a crossroads. Misinformation has reshaped public perception, legacy media is struggling for relevance, and voters are demanding greater accountability.

In this final episode of Truth, Trust & Politics, Mary Gearin speaks with Jon Faine about the growing gap between facts and public discourse, the role of fear in political messaging, and the future of democracy in an age of digital influence.

They examine the rise of social media as a primary news source, the challenges of engaging vaccine sceptics through effective public health messaging, and the evolving nature of political engagement.

With traditional media losing public trust and new platforms gaining influence, what can be done to rebuild confidence in democracy?

🎧 Listen now! https://youtu.be/OMx7FXSZQIw