Faith-based summit brings together unique line-up of experts

Book now: once-only Summit bringing together community leaders, agencies, regulators & experts to consider best practice responses to Royal Commissions.

Wednesday 1 November 2017

Book now: a once-only, faith-based Summit bringing together community leaders, agencies, regulators and experts to consider best practice responses to the Royal Commissions.

The Faith-Based Governance & Dispute Resolution Conference on 5-6 December 2017 will provide leaders, board members and employees the opportunity to hear from a stellar line-up of speakers, including two Royal Commissioners, representatives from government regulators, and expert governance and dispute resolution researchers and practitioners, all within a tightly packed two-day schedule.

Program highlights include:

Beyond the Royal Commissions: Best Practice for Faith-Based Organisations
Meet the Regulators: ATO, ACNC, Consumer Affairs
School Governance & Child Safety Standards & Reportable Conduct
Between Religion & Democracy
Sacking God’s Messenger: Hiring, Firing and Disciplining Clergy
Religion & Respectful Relationships.

Chairs and presenters include:

The Hon. Jennifer Coate, Commissioner, Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse
The Hon. Marcia Neave AO, Former Commissioner, Royal Commission into Family Violence (Victoria)
The Hon Robin Scott MP, Minister for Multicultural Affairs
Liana Buchanan, Principal Commissioner for Children & Young People (Victoria)
Francis Sullivan, CEO, Truth, Justice and Healing Council
Murray Baird, Assistant Commissioner, Australian Charities and Not-For-Profits Commission (ACNC)
Deborah Glass OBE, Victorian Ombudsman
Gill Callister, Secretary, Department of Education and Training
Rabbi James Kennard, Principal, Mt Scopus Memorial College
Dr Susan Carland, academic, author and social commentator
CEOs of faith-based peak bodies.

Conference overview

The conference will enable faith-based organisations to review and improve their internal governance and dispute resolution processes. Delegates will include religious and lay leaders and board members of faith-based groups, as well as dispute resolution practitioners, government service providers and regulators.

The leadership summit on the first day will set out the high-level principles which underscore effective governance, while panels and interactive sessions on the second day will build practical skills.

The program includes a range of dynamic sessions including a 'Meet the Regulators' Panel with representatives from ACNC, ATO and Consumer Affairs Victoria. There will also be a panel with 'clients' and 'advisers' considering a 'super-scenario' where everything that could go wrong, has gone wrong.

The conference is part of the Sir Zelman Cowen Centre's commitment to focusing on relevant and emerging community issues. It follows the Law and Courts in an Online World conference in 2016.

Exhibitors and governance resources will be showcased at the Information Exchange Gallery (IEG), running throughout the conference.

Masterclasses will be held immediately after the conference on practical topics including Financial Literacy, Employment and Industrial Issues for Religious Groups and Getting Grant Ready.

The conference is supported by The Eva and Les Erdi Humanitarian Charitable Foundation, Gandel Philanthropy, Islamic Council of Victoria, Australian Multicultural Foundation and Mann Lawyers. Other partners include the Jewish Community Council of Victoria, National Council of Churches in Australia, and Not-for-profit Law at Justice Connect.