Curtin Centre for Human Rights Education

18/08/2026

Read about our 10th Annual Human Rights Lecture from a major news article. Make sure that you are joining us for this special occasion at Curtin University

A former Socceroo turned human rights activist will deliver the tenth annual human rights lecture at Curtin University next month.

READ: https://www.perthnow.com.au/wa/perth/south/canning/australian-of-the-year-and-ex-socceroo-captain-to-headline-curtin-university-tenth-annual-human-rights-lecture-c-22690854

14/08/2026

We are delighted to share that PerthNow newspaper Canning interviewed CHRE Director Yirga Gelaw Woldeyes and published a detailed report on the forthcoming Annual Human Rights Lecture by Craig Foster AM.

https://editions.perthnow.com.au/ccidist-replica-reader/?epub=https://editions.perthnow.com.au/ccidist-ws/wan/wan_canning/issues/27233/ #/pages/6-7

Register here before the spots are filled: https://form.jotform.com/261542421208852

14/08/2026

Congratulations to Christopher Bryant, winner of the 2026 Portside Review Human Rights Essay Prize: Rainbow Pride for “The Pursuit of Happiness”.
CHRE warmly support the important work of Portside Review and Centre for Stories in amplifying diverse voices and human rights storytelling, and gratefully acknowledge Rainbow Futures WA for making this initiative possible.

05/08/2026

EVENT: 10th Anniversary of the Curtin Annual Human Rights Lecture

Curtin Centre for Human Rights Education warmly invites you to join us for the 10th Anniversary of the Curtin University Annual Human Rights Lecture.

For a decade now, this iconic event has connected the broader community with distinguished human rights leaders through an address on the pressing human rights issues of the day. In the past, our speakers have included leading figures in human rights such as Professor Gillian Triggs, Michael Kirby AC CMG, Waleed Aly, Behrouz Boochani and Tracy Westerman AM.

This year, we welcome Craig Foster AM, former Socceroo and human rights activist, who will be delivering a lecture on “Reclaiming Humanity: Placing People at the Centre of a Fractured Rights and Economic Architecture.”

Beyond representing Australia on the football field and becoming an award-winning sports broadcaster, Craig has dedicated the past decade to championing the rights of refugees and marginalised communities.

Craig’s address will outline his vision for a fundamental reorientation of human rights in the age of war, extreme inequality, and the emerging issue of data ownership and AI.

Date: Wednesday, 2 September 2026
Time: 6:00pm–9:15pm
Venue: Elizabeth Jolley Lecture Theatre, Building 210, Curtin University Bentley Campus

To attend, Register here: https://form.jotform.com/261542421208852

Parking: Pi1 Yellow carpark is close to the venue.

Acknowledgement: The Annual Human Rights Lecture is funded primarily by the Curtin School of Media, Creative Arts and Social Inquiry. The Centre for Human Rights Education also acknowledges the contributions of Curtin University’s Centre for Applied Ethics in the Faculty of Business and Law, The Curtin School of Population Health, and Curtin School of Allied Health, Faculty of Health Sciences to this year’s lecture.

23/07/2026

Curtin Centre for Human Rights Education is pleased to support and promote the Inclusive Futures event marking Disability Awareness Month, to be held on 30 July at Curtin University.

The event brings together an outstanding panel of speakers, including Curtin’s own Associate Professor Carol Dowling, to advance conversations on accessibility, inclusion and human rights.

We are especially proud to acknowledge the contribution of CHRE's student Mrinalini Martin, who has played an important role as a co-organiser of the event. Her leadership and commitment reflect the values at the heart of human rights education: inclusion, participation and collective action for a more accessible future.

We encourage our students, colleagues and wider community to attend, support and share this event.

Please register here to attend

Join leaders and advocates exploring accessibility, inclusion and human rights to help shape Western Australia's future.

23/07/2026

Curtin Centre for Human Rights Education is proud to celebrate the work of our alumnus Ahmed Mohamed, widely known as Forme, an environmental and human rights advocate, artist, and thinker whose public voice continues to contribute to environmental justice in the Maldives.

As you can read from this report https://maldivesindependent.com/environment/killing-without-touching-the-fight-over-villimals-grove-df7d Forme has been actively involved in the campaign, speaking out for the protection of Villimalé’s laurel-wood grove and the right of communities to clean air, green public spaces, and meaningful participation in decisions that shape their future. His advocacy reminds us that development and justice must go together: housing, health infrastructure, and urban planning should strengthen communities without sacrificing environmental wellbeing or democratic consultation.

Forme, together with fellow CHRE alumnus Ahmed Naeem (whose activism deserves its own post) is collaborating with the ARC Road to the Future project led by Yirga Gelaw Woldeyes. During Yirga’s recent visit to the Maldives, they worked closely together, reflecting the continuing connection between CHRE and its former students, and the ways alumni are turning human rights education into courageous public action.

CHRE celebrates alumni like Forme, who continue to make a difference in their communities and contribute to more just, democratic, and environmentally responsible futures.

Curtin University Curtin School of Media, Creative Arts and Social Inquiry Curtin University Alumni

07/07/2026

CHRE Director Yirga Gelaw Woldeyes has been invited as one of the experts to brief the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission of the U.S. House of Representatives on the current human rights situation in Ethiopia.

The briefing will address the state of conflicts in Tigray, Amhara and Oromia, the human rights and humanitarian situation, transitional justice efforts, accountability, and prospects for peace and democratic governance. Yirga will draw on his research on the human rights situation of the Amhara people, while also contributing to broader discussions on justice, accountability and peace in Ethiopia.

This recognition reflects CHRE’s ongoing commitment to human rights teaching and research, public engagement, and the pursuit of justice for communities affected by conflict and violence.

Curtin University Curtin School of Media, Creative Arts and Social Inquiry

Briefing Notice Please join the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission for a briefing on the current human rights situation in Ethiopia, the state of conflicts in Tigray, Amhara and Oromia, the status of transitional justice efforts, and prospects for improving security, respect for human rights, and de...

06/07/2026

We are pleased to partner with AIATSIS and Australian Council for Human Rights Education to celebrate 50 Years of Deadly at the 2026 NAIDOC Week Webinar.

Join us for an important afternoon of yarns with First Nations leaders, educators and community advocates as we honour culture, community, leadership and the continuing legacy of NAIDOC.

Date: 6 July 2026
Time: 2–3pm ACST
Location: Attend in person at AIATSIS Office, 37 Todd Mall, Mparntwe/Alice Springs, or join online by registering.

Presenters: Professor Lynette Riley AO, Raymond Walters Penangke, Steven Satour and Que Nakamarra Kenny.

Professor Lynette Riley AO is a Wiradjuri and Gamilaroi scholar at the University of Sydney whose work focuses on Aboriginal education, race and racism, and community-led research. She is also Co-Chair of the National NAIDOC Committee.

Raymond Walters Penangke is an Anmatyerre cultural consultant, community leader and Managing Director of Penangke Cultural Consultants, with more than 40 years’ experience supporting Aboriginal communities and culturally grounded leadership.

Steven Satour is a Yankunytjatjara, Pitjantjatjara and Pertame leader from Central Australia, Co-Chair of the National NAIDOC Committee, and an experienced advocate for Indigenous governance, strategy and storytelling.

Que Nakamarra Kenny is an Arrernte woman from Ntaria/Hermannsburg, a community service worker and social justice advocate with extensive experience in frontline work, Aboriginal organisations and community leadership.

Register here: b3029aad-001a-424b-b8b2-716f259e1405@5a740cd7-5768-4d09-ae13-f706b09fa22c" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/b3029aad-001a-424b-b8b2-716f259e1405@5a740cd7-5768-4d09-ae13-f706b09fa22c

02/07/2026

Thank you The Maldives National University for hosting Yirga.

02/07/2026

Curtin Centre for Human Rights Education
Scholarship Alert for Students of Human Rights

The Pinnacle Foundation provide educational scholarships, mentoring and opportunities for young LGBTQIA+ Australians to realise their full potential. Scholarships are awarded for full-time study at public institutions of higher education in Australia, for the purpose of gaining an educational or vocational qualification in any profession, trade or the arts.

Pinnacle enables young LGBTQIA+ Australians to realise their full potential, become self-reliant, maintain their dignity and give back themselves. The lasting social and economic benefits for the individual, the LGBTQIA+ community, and wider society are great.

For Details Please visit: https://scholarships.curtin.edu.au/Scholarship/?id=7956

School of Media, Creative Arts and Social Inquiry + ***r