Commonwealth Conference

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Conference background

We are witnessing a period of tumultuous change across the globe. Driven by factors such as the far-reaching impacts of climate change, political and economic upheavals of Brexit, US withdrawal from international leadership coupled with the rise of Chinese transnational organisations, persistent international terrorism, and widening political and social polarisation, this wave of change is restructuring how the world works.

What is the role of the Commonwealth of Nations in these changing times?

This conference will explore the normative and practical leadership roles of faith communities, universities, and the Commonwealth of Nations itself under the theme: 'Sustainable Peace and Development in a Polarising World: Perspectives and Contributions from the Commonwealth of Nations'.

Based on the successful precedents of events organised in conjunction with the G20 and G8 Summits, it is clear that input from a broad range of voices strengthen international decision making. This conference will assemble experts from around the Commonwealth as part of the activities surrounding the Commonwealth Games on the Australian Gold Coast in April 2018.

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Sustainable Peace and Development in a Polarising World

Session Time	Session Description	Speakers
9 April 2018	CONFERENCE DAY ONE
16.30 to 17.30	Registration and reception prior to conference dinner
17.30 to 21.00	Conference Dinner: Sustainable Peace and Development in a Polarising World	Maha Sinnathamby, Prof Singh, Setsuko Thurlow w/ Cesar Jaramillo, Brian Adams, Kinetic Collective, Nunukul Yuggera Aboriginal Dance Company

Session Time	Session Description	Speakers
10 April 2018	Day Two A: The Past and Future Commonwealth
8.30 to 10.00	Opening Plenary: The Commonwealth as a "Workable World" Model	Chair: Andrew West Panelists: Keith Best, Florencia Gor, Derek McDougall
10.00 to 10.30	Morning tea
10.30 to 11.45	Plenary Session: The Commonwealth: Governing for Sustainable Peace and Development.	Chair: Gary Hardgrave Panelists: Keith Best, Lemi Taefu, Rachel Blaney, Sherrie Steiner
11.45 to 13.00	First Parallel Session A: Contextualising Sustainable Peace and Development in the Commonwealth	Chair: Mahinda Deegalle Panelists: Carol Angir, Nur Hidayah, Munir Khasru, Thomas Albrecht
11.45 to 13.00	First Parallel Session B: Plurality or Polarity: Diversity Across the Commonwealth	Chair: Brian Adams Panelists: Paul Morris, Ahmad Yousif, James Christie
13.00 to 14.00	Lunch break
	Day Two B: The Commonwealth and Interfaith Dialogue
14.00 to 15.30	Plenary: Religious Leader Engagement	Chair: James Christie Panelists: Steve Moore, Ants Hawes, John Saunders
15.30 to 16.00	Afternoon tea
16.00 to 17.30	First Parallel Session A: Sustaining Peace and Development: Role of Interfaith and Intercultural Dialogue	Chair: TBA Panelists: Upolu Vaai, Sven Schottmann, Abdul Muhaimin
16.00 to 17.30	Second Parallel Session B: Challenges to Peace and Development in the Commonwealth	Chair: Munir Khasru Panelists: Leah Gazan, Cesar Jaramillo, Gerhard Hoffstaedter, Florencia Gor
17.30 to 19.00	Free time

Session Time	Session Description	Speakers
11 April 2018	Day Three AM: The Commonwealth, Peace and Security
8.30 to 10.00	Opening Plenary: Reconciliation Across the Commonwealth	Chair: Carol Angir Panelists: Leah Gazan, Munir Khasru
10.00 to 10.30	Morning tea
10.30 to 11.30	First Parallel Session A: Women of the Commonwealth Leading Peace and Development	Chair: Senator Claire Moore Panelists: Carol Angir, Nur Hidayah, Rachel Blaney
10.30 to 11.30	First Parallel Session B: Youth Contributions to Religion & Sustainable Development in the Commonwealth	Chair: Nisha Bagha Panelists: Laiqa Kumar, Yaqeen Sikander, Abbas Panakkal
11.45 to 13.00	Second Parallel Session A: Muslims Building Peace and Security in the Commonwealth	Chair: Lina Salim Panelists: Munir Khasru, Adis Duderija, Ahmad Yousif
11.45 to 13.00	Second Parallel Session B: Religion, Sustainable Peace and Development	Chair: James Christie Panelists: Swami Sadyojathah, Paul Morris, Mahinda Deegalle
13.00 to 14.00	Lunch break
	Day Three PM: The Commonwealth and Sustainable Development
14.00 to 15.30	Plenary Session: Sustaining Peace and Development: Role of Interfaith and Intercultural Dialogue	Chair: Hassan Saeed Panelists: Brian Adams, Elizabeth Krishna, Ven. Shueh Shan, Swami Sadyojathah
15.30 to 16.00	Afternoon tea
16.00 to 17.30	Afternoon Plenary: Sustainable Peace and Development: Who Leads?	Chair: Brian Adams, James Christie World Café Workshop
17.30 to 18.00	Closing Plenary	Brian Adams