​NATIONAL CONGRESS OF WOMEN 

Renewal
How can we save the Earth for ourselves and future generations? 
Sunday 11 September 9.30 am — Monday 12 September 5 pm  2022
IN PERSON, Albert Hall, Canberra (and online)
0NEWS!
August 2022:​ We have released the second draft of our WCC 'Women's Charter for Change' for for discussion at the National Congress .
Thanks to all members and other friends and contacts  for your comments and participation with our conversation circles. We have revised the Charter to incorporate your comments. 
Follow the link blow to read the new version of the charter.   Looking forward to further conversations at the National Congress and ongoing actions arising from the Charter. 


Program  
Times are in AEST (Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne). Please check your own time zone.
Your input is also welcome at womensclimatecongress@gmail.com

Throughout the two days there will be:
  • Book sales and 'meet the author' opportunities
  • Displays of photos from the EverydayClimateCrisis Visual Petition 
​
IMPORTANT: As we are in discussion with various members of parliament about their attendance, the program might undergo slight change to accommodate schedules. Please check in for any last minute adjustments.    

Download our printable 'at a glance' program here 

Find out more about the contributors and artists 

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Sunday 11 September 

'Planting the seeds of renewal'
​Find out more about contributors for Sunday 

9.00 Registrations open — Meet and greet 

9.15 Online Zoom room open — Meet and greet 
With online host Deb Collins (Wicked Elephants Coop) 

[Note - new earlier start time of 9.30 am]
9.30  WOMEN GATHERING — The chanting is beginning    
Introduction — Dr Janet Salisbury (Founder, Women's Climate Congress)
Welcome to Country -- Dr Matilda House (Ngambri—Ngunnawal Elder)

9.45   ARTISTIC OPENING — THE SINGING HILL
We begin with the prophetic 'Singing Hill' story about the land beneath the Australian Parliament, which so moved women at our first National Congress online event.  The Singing Hill will be presented live by Glenda Cloughley, former senator Jo Vallentine and A Chorus of Women with images by visual artist Sally Blake. 
Further details    

Connections  — Who is in the room?
Introduction of the 'Women's Climate Congress Charter for Change'  

10.20 WISDOM OF THE ELDERS 
A conversation with 
Dr Valerie Cooms (Chair, Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation)
Hon Margaret Reynolds (National President, Women's International League for Peace and Freedom; former senator and minister for the Office for Women), 
Jo Vallentine (former senator, peace activist )
Hon Dr Sharman Stone (Director, Australian Institute of Family Studies; former federal MP, minister and ambassador for women and girls)
Q&A
Find out more about contributors 

11.20 BREAK

11.40 SEEDS OF RENEWAL 1 — Transforming power through political leadership  
Followed by a conversation with women in parliament from across the political spectrum to explore the the current political culture and the potential for multiparty collaboration on issues that affect women, including leadership of national climate policy .
With: 
Karen Grogan (Senator for SA)  [Note change as Sharon Claydon MP had to cancel due to another commitment in her electorate.]
Bridget Archer MP (Federal member for Bass, Tasmania)
Zali Steggall MP (Federal member for Warringah)
Janet Rice (Senator for Victoria) 
Moderated by Cheryl Durrant (climate emergency strategist; Councillor with the Climate Council) 
Q&A session /group discussion
​Find out more about contributors

1.00 LUNCH 

1.45 SEEDS OF RENEWAL 2 — Transforming power through creative vision 
Creative vision is essential for transformative changes to occur at individual, community and political levels. Indigenous cultures understand arts and storytelling as central to the transmission of law and culture. This conversation seeks harmony between voices from science, art and Indigenous wisdom as we face existential threats from multiple climate crises. 
With: 
Dr Valerie Cooms (Chair, Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation) who grew up with the poetry, storytelling and activism of her aunty, Oodgeroo Noonuccal (Kath Walker) 
Dr Janet Salisbury (science communicator, Founder of the  Women's Climate Congress)
Miriam Pickard (performer, theatre director,  mythopoetic storyteller)
Alison Plevey (Founder and Director, Australian Dance Party) 
Moderated by Dr Sally Blake (visual artist with a practice working across textiles, drawing and sculpture)
Q&A session/group discussion
​Find out more about contributors

3.00 BREAK

3.20  SEEDS OF RENEWAL 3 — Transforming power through community and business leadership
This conversation will explore the insights of community and business leaders responding to climate change, including the interface between immediate actions to secure a safe climate and the more profound transformation of  governance needed to ensure long-term wellbeing.
With:
Sam Mostyn AO (President, Chief Executive Women; non-executive director and sustainability adviser, with a long history of governance roles across business and community sectors )
Charlie Wood (Campaigner, organiser, and policy advisor across the environmental movement. Former Campaigns Director for 350.org Australia, and Australian Youth Climate Coalition)
Sophia Hamblin Wang  (Chief Operating Officer, Mineral Carbonation International, MCi)​
Emma Garlett (First Nations legal academic; Industry Fellow, Sustainable Minerals Institute, University of Queensland) 
Moderated by Dr Kate Auty (Senior Research Fellow, Melbourne Climate Futures, University of Melbourne)
Q&A session /group discussion
​Find out more about contributors

4.40 Presentation by the Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy 
Senator the Hon Jenny McAllister  [Cancelled due to shut down of parliament after the death of the Queen]

4.50 Artistic close 
Songs for Renewal — A Chorus of Women will sing 'Hymn to Gaia' and 'The Promise' —  by Glenda Cloughley from The Gifts of the Furies 
Download the sheet music of 'The Promise' here is you would like to join us to sing this commitment to future human generations and the Earth 
Sing along (sheet music) | Sing along (practice track) 
Read about the songs  (lyrics)

5.30–7.00 pm Social/networking event 
Book Launch: Right Here, Right Now by Natalie Isaacs  (Founder, 1 Million Women)  
The Costa Rican experience: presentation by HE Mr Armando Vargas Araya, Ambassador of Costa Rica
Musical contributions from WCC members:
  • Sophia Fletcher — a singer/songwriter/musician  from northern NSW will share her new song 'Extinction is forever' (available via Music | Sophia Fletcher (bandcamp.com) to open the reception. 
  • Bronwyn Kelly — a songwriter, lyricist, composer will perform some of her original compositions and cover versions of well known songs. Bronwyn is also the Founder of  Australian Community Futures Planning and will be giving a presentation on Monday 12 Sept (see below).
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Monday 12 September 

'New Growth'
​Find out more about the contributors for Monday 

8.30 am  'Coffee and conversation' — Networking opportunity 

9.15 Online Zoom room open — Meet and greet 
With online host Deb Collins (Wicked Elephants Coop) ​

9.30 am OPENING
Artistic opening 
Video presentation of 'She Spins' by Meg Rigby, sung by A Chorus of Women and with visuals by Sally Blake 
​Pacific women's voices
Presentation by Pefi Kingi (Pacific Australian Womens Association)

10.00 NEW SHOOTS 1
Short presentations:
'Climate Compact’ — A national plan for action on climate
by Professor Kim Rubenstein (law professor, citizenship expert, human rights advocate; inaugural convenor, ANU Gender Institute; independent ACT senate candidate, 2022)

Australia Together — Transforming power through longterm integrated planning
by Dr Bronwyn Kelly (Founder, Australian Community Futures Planning)

10.40   BREAK

11.00  NEW GROWTH 1 — Taking action to secure the climate and create lasting human and planetary wellbeing 
NOTE: Online participants will have their own break out discussions about the facilitated by our online host Deb Collins.    
Actions to secure the climate
  • Embrace gender-inclusive governance 
    In room group host:  Cheryl Durrant (climate emergency strategist)
  • Create a unified national plan for action on climate change
         In room group host:  Professor Kim Rubenstein (law professor, citizenship expert, human rights advocate; inaugural convenor, ANU Gender Institute; 
         independent ACT senate candidate, 2022 )

Actions for long-term human and planetary wellbeing 
  • Uphold intergenerational equity and the rights of all Earth life
         In room group host: Dr Arnagretta Hunter  (Human Futures Fellow, College of Health and Medicine, ANU; Chair, Commission for the Human Future)
  • Listen and learn from First Nations knowledge
    In room group host:  Dr Honey Nelson (retired flying veterinarian, artist, long-time activist for First Nations rights)
  • Create paths and policies for tolerance, nonviolence and peace
    In room group host:  Barbara O'Dwyer (Independent Development Specialist, former national president, WILPF) 

11.45   BREAK

12.00 NEW SHOOTS 2
The public good: a renewed 'why' for our times
presentation by Dr Millie Rooney (National Coordinator, Australia reMADE)

12.15 NEW GROWTH 2 — Taking action for long-term human and planetary wellbeing (continued)
NOTE:  Online participants will have their own break out discussions about the facilitated by our online host Deb Collins.    

Parallel discussion sessions around WCC key themes ('Women's Charter for Change') 
  • Adopt of new economic models and values 
    In room group host:  
  • Encourage citizen participation in governance 
    In room group host: Emma Fletcher  (co-CEO, DemocracyCo)  
  • Elevate compassion and kindness in government
    In room group host: Lynne Reeder (Founder, Mindful Futures Network, Australa21; Member, Australian Compassion Council)
  • Support imagination and creative thinking at the centre 
    In room group host/s:   Toni Hassan (award-winning journalist, author, visual artist and parent) 
  • Design education fit for purpose into the future 
    In room group host:  Dr Jenny Robinson (experienced educator, former school principal)  

1.00 LUNCH 

1.45 BRINGING THE THREADS TOGETHER 
Whole group discussion – Action plan and commitments

2.50 ​Artistic close
'Ubuntu' by Johanna McBride with A Chorus of Women

3.00 -4.30 pm 'The Singing Hill revisited' — proposed visit to Parliament House 
(unfortunately this did was cancelled due to closure of parliament after the death of the Queen) 
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