WACOSS invites you to the 2026 Emerging Issues Forum on 23 April. This year we are looking at the big picture shifts shaping justice, equity, participation and democracy in Australia. This future focused webinar will explore how structural changes, from democratic transitions to questions of belonging and inclusion, are influencing our work, our communities, and our collective path forward.
This year’s session features three leading thinkers whose work spans democratic resilience, constitutional law, and global political change. Their perspectives include community engaged approaches to preventing and building resilience, the future of First Nations justice, and emerging challenges to Australian democracy.
- Professor Michele Grossman, Director of the Centre for Resilient and Inclusive Societies, will speak on shared belonging; what it looks like in practice, and what communities need to build resilience, social inclusion and stronger civic connections.
- Professor Megan Davis, a renowned constitutional lawyer and expert on Indigenous rights and democratic design, will reflect on the landscape post Voice Referendum and what lies ahead for First Nations justice and Australia’s democratic future.
- Dr Emma Shortis, Director of the International & Security Affairs Program at The Australia Institute, will explore the pressures shaping Australia’s democratic system, drawing on her expertise in U.S. politics, global governance, and international affairs.
Designed for community service providers, sector leaders and engaged community members across WA, this webinar offers a timely opportunity to consider the broader forces shaping our sector and society and to reflect on the possibilities for a more just, inclusive and resilient Australia.
This is a free webinar for WACOSS members but is open for anyone to join.
Cost for non-members is $40 per person (paid during checkout).