Speakers
Join a distinguished lineup of civil servants, academics and practitioners leading the way in health, democracy and climate action, each bringing invaluable insights and expertise to inspire meaningful progress.


Melissa Fleming
Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications, United Nations
Melissa Fleming was appointed UN Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications in September 2019.
She leads the UN’s Department of Global Communications, which informs global audiences about the state of the world and engages them to build support for the work and goals of the United Nations.
In this role, Ms. Fleming oversees the Department’s strategic and crisis communications operations, including its multilingual news and digital media services, public outreach programmes, and global campaigns.
Keynote: Monday 11 November @ 9:30am AEST (ONLINE)
Creating a More Humane Information Ecosystem

The Hon. Tanya Plibersek, MP
Minister for the Environment and Water of Australia
Tanya Plibersek is the Minister for the Environment and Water, and the Federal Member for Sydney. Between 2013 and 2019, Tanya was Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Deputy Leader of the Federal Parliamentary Labor Party. From 2013 to 2016, Tanya was also the Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Development. From 2017 to 2022 Tanya was the Shadow Minister for Education and the Shadow Minister for Women. Tanya served as a Cabinet minister in the Gillard and Rudd Governments. Tanya was Minister for Health, Minister for Medical Research, Minister for Housing, Minister for Human Services, Minister for Social Inclusion, and Minister for the Status of Women.
Keynote: Tuesday 12 November @ 9:00am AEST (ONLINE)

Tawfik Jelassi
Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information, UNESCO
Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information at UNESCO since 2021, Dr. Tawfik Jelassi is responsible for UNESCO’s programs on fostering freedom of expression, leading digital transformation, strategizing the role of ICT in education, and building inclusive knowledge societies. He holds a Ph.D. doctorate in Management Information Systems from New York University and postgraduate diplomas from the University of Paris Dauphine. Former Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research, and Information & Communication Technologies in Tunisia as well as Dean and Professor, he has extensive international experience in higher education, scientific research, and digital technologies.
Presentation: Tuesday 12 November @ 10:35am AEST (ONLINE)

H.E. Gabriele Visentin
European Union Ambassador to Australia, Canberra
Prior to his arrival in Australia, Ambassador Visentin was the first-ever EU Special Envoy for the Indo-Pacific.
Mr. Visentin previously served as the Head of the Parliamentary Affairs Division in the European External Action Service (EAAS) in Brussels. Earlier in his career, he was an official of the European Commission and served in the Directorate General for External Relations.
Mr. Visentin was also Head of Cabinet to the last President of the ECSC (European Community for Steel and Coal) and Advisor on European affairs to the Italian Minister of Industry, Energy and International Trade.
Mr. Visentin holds a degree in Law and is specialised in International and Community Law.

Damian Cardona Onses
UNIC Pacific Director, United Nations, Canberra
Damian Cardona has over 26 years of experience in strategic and crisis communications within the United Nations, including roles as Director of UN Information Centres in Dakar and Bogota, and Chief of Strategic Communications for the UN Verification Mission in Colombia. He has served in peacekeeping missions in Bosnia, Mali, and the DRC and was Chief of Media Relations for the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti. Previously, he was the Middle East Communications Delegate for the IFRC in Jordan and Director of International Relations for UNESCO’s 2004 Universal Forum of Cultures in Barcelona. Mr. Cardona holds a BA in Political Science (University of Barcelona) and an MA in International Relations (Institut d’Études Politiques, Grenoble).

Prof. Juliet Pietsch
Head of the School of Government and International Relations, Griffith University
Juliet Pietsch is currently serving as the Head of the School of Government and International Relations. She is a professor in political science and public policy and specialises in immigration, race, and ethnic politics in Australia and the Asia Pacific region. Her research portfolio has attracted over $2 million in funding from the Australian Research Council and external consultancy sources. With a PhD in Political Science from the Australian National University, Professor Pietsch has held visiting fellowships at prestigious institutions including Stanford University and the University of Oxford. She has authored multiple books, including Lost Opportunities: Temporary Migrants from Southeast Asia (Cambridge University Press) and has led significant national and cross-national surveys in public policy and comparative politics. Her expertise extends beyond research to strategic leadership, where she has been instrumental in developing and implementing transformative strategic plans for Griffith University and its academic groups, while maintaining a strong focus on diversity initiatives, educational program and research development.

The Hon. Curtis Pitt MP
Speaker, Queensland Legislative Assembly
The Honourable Curtis Pitt MP was elected Speaker of the Legislative Assembly (Queensland Parliament) on 13 February 2018. As the chief presiding officer of the Parliament, the Speaker chairs the debates and enforces the rules (known as Standing Orders) to ensure orderly conduct in the Chamber. Administratively, the Speaker has control of the Parliamentary Service and is responsible for the Parliament’s policies, budget, services and administration.

Assoc. Prof. Lee Morgenbesser
Griffith University
Lee Morgenbesser is an Associate Professor at the School of Government and International Relations and a fellow with the Australian Research Council. His research focuses on authoritarian politics, disinformation, election observation, and sportswashing. He is the author of The Rise of Sophisticated Authoritarianism in Southeast Asia (Cambridge University Press, 2020) and is currently researching the dark side of international election observation. Lee has contributed to major international forums, including the Council on Foreign Relations and the European Parliament, and his work appears in top journals such as Comparative Political Studies and Political Studies.
Panel: Monday 11 November @ 10:25am AEST

Sajib Azad
UNDP
Sajib Azad is a seasoned economist and digital transformation expert with over 20 years of experience leading initiatives at World Bank, UNDP, various governments (UK, EU, China, Ethiopia), and leading global consultancies. Currently supporting UNDP Pacific’s Digital Portfolio, Sajib is spearheading the Whole of Society (WOS) Digital transformation across the region.
His role involves driving the strategic shift from technocentric to WOS Digital approaches, aligning UNDP’s digital initiatives with the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) 2050 Strategy and the Global Digital Compact, and developing a diverse portfolio of digital projects across multiple Pacific Island nations. Sajib focuses on key areas such as Digital Identity, Digital Upskilling, Digital Government, Digital Public Goods, and leveraging infrastructure investments, while fostering regional cooperation and knowledge sharing on inclusive digital transformation.
Sajib holds an MBA from École Nationale Des Ponts et Chaussées and the University of Edinburgh. His notable achievements include implementing an advanced open-source based interoperable payment platform in Myanmar, co-leading the World Bank’s $60M Revenue Digitization Program in Bangladesh, drafting Ethiopia’s National Digital Payment Strategy, and leading a $10M risk transformation program for Santander Group’s global retail banking operations.”
Panel: Monday 11 November @ 10:25am AEST

Anne Dunn-Baleilevuka
Online Safety Consultant
Anne Dunn, also known as Mrs. Baleilevuka, is a young leader from Fiji, recognised for her work as the country’s first Online Safety Commissioner, where she established an online abuse reporting system to protect Fijians from digital harm. A former beauty queen, Anne was the first Fijian woman to win three major pageant titles in 2016, including Miss Hibiscus, Miss Fiji, and Miss Pacific Islands. She also became a legal professional in 2017 and ran for parliament in 2018 as the youngest female candidate. Passionate about public service, she actively pursues personal growth through leadership courses, mentoring communities, and her passion project, The Maroroi Project, which aims to raise awareness around digital safety in Fiji.
Panel: Monday 11 November @ 10:25am AEST

Jenna Hand
Department of Home Affairs, Australia
Jenna is a director in the Department of Home Affairs’ Office of Community Cohesion. She was previously Meta’s health misinformation policy lead for the Asia-Pacific. Prior to this, she worked at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and as a journalist.
Panel: Monday 11 November @ 10:25am AEST

Dr Nicole Matejic
Christchurch Call Foundation
Dr Nicole Matejic is a published Author and National Security focused Behavioural Economist. A pracademic – she works across both professional practice and in academia – in preventing radicalisation to violent extremism and disengaging individuals from high-demand groups.
Nicole is currently a Principal Strategic Advisor with the Christchurch Call Foundation where she leads work on the Christchurch Call Initiative on Algorithmic Outcomes (CCIAO) and, separately, Information Integrity.
Nicole is an Adjunct Lecturer with Charles Sturt University’s School of Terrorism and Security Studies in Australia; and was previously a regular expert instructor for NATO and a Non-Resident Fellow at the United States Marine Corps Brute Krulak Center for Innovation in Future Warfighting.
Panel: Monday 11 November @ 10:25am AEST

Assoc Prof Tanya Notley
Western Sydney University
Dr. Tanya Notley is an Associate Professor at the School of Humanities and Communication Arts and the Institute for Culture and Society at Western Sydney University. Her research focuses on digital inclusion, media literacy, and human rights media. Tanya leads the Addressing Misinformation with Media Literacy project, partnering with public cultural institutions to promote new media literacy initiatives. She is a founding member of the Australian Media Literacy Alliance and has led 10 media literacy research projects since 2017, collaborating with over 20 industry partners to address digital inequalities.
Workshop: Monday 11 November @ 1:00pm AEST

Dr Aimee Hourigan
Western Sydney University
Dr. Aimee Hourigan is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Institute for Culture and Society, Western Sydney University. Her research focuses on socioculturally grounded approaches to digital and media literacy, with a particular emphasis on the experiences of marginalised, vulnerable, and excluded communities. With over 10 years of experience in stakeholder and industry engagement, Aimee has worked in partnership with public cultural institutions and international advocacy organisations. She currently produces media literacy projects with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s Education division, helping to develop critical digital skills across various communities.
Workshop: Monday 11 November @ 1:00pm AEST

Dr Max Grömping
Griffith University
Max Grömping is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Government and International Relations at Griffith University, specialising in the information environment, institutional responsiveness, and trust. His research interests include lobbying, comparative authoritarianism, electoral integrity, and disinformation. Max received his doctorate from the University of Sydney in 2017 and has previously worked at Heidelberg University (Germany) and Thammasat University (Thailand). He is an associate editor for Democratisation and co-editor of Lobbying the Autocrat (University of Michigan Press, 2023).
Researcher’s Roundtable: Monday 11 November @ 1:00pm AEST

Prof Andrea Carson
La Trobe University
Professor Andrea Carson is a 2024 Visiting Research Fellow at the University of Oxford’s Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, where she is researching public trust in electoral bodies amid disinformation campaigns during elections. She is a Professor of Political Communication in the Department of Politics, Media and Philosophy at La Trobe University, where her research focuses on media trust, political communication, digital campaigning, and elections. Professor Carson has received multiple Australian Research Council (ARC) grants, including a Discovery project examining political trust. She is the recipient of La Trobe University’s 2023 Vice Chancellor’s Overall Research Excellence Award. She also conducts comparative research on digital platform regulation and strategies to mitigate misinformation and disinformation.
Researcher’s Roundtable: Monday 11 November @ 1:00pm AEST

Dr Timothy Graham
La Trobe University
Dr. Timothy Graham is an Associate Professor in Digital Media at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and a computational social scientist specialising in online networks and platforms. His research interests include propaganda, online influence, digital publics, and algorithmic curation. Dr. Graham is a 2022-2025 Australian Research Council (ARC) DECRA Fellow, leading the project Combatting Coordinated Inauthentic Behaviour on Social Media. He is also Chief Investigator at the QUT Digital Media Research Centre and an Associate Investigator at the ARC Centre of Excellence in Automated Decision-Making and Society. In 2024, he will lead a new ARC Discovery Project, Understanding and Combatting Dark Political Communication. Dr. Graham has authored over 40 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters and is frequently quoted in global media outlets, including The New York Times, BBC World News, and The Guardian.
Researcher’s Roundtable: Monday 11 November @ 1:00pm AEST

Prof Michelle Riedlinger
Queensland University of Technology
Michelle Riedlinger is an Associate Professor in the School of Communication at Queensland University of Technology, where she researches emerging trends in online environmental, agricultural, and health communication. Her expertise includes independent fact-checking, the role of alternative science communicators, and public engagement with science. Michelle is also the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Science Communication, where she fosters scholarly discussions on how to improve the relationship between science and the public.
Researcher’s Roundtable: Monday 11 November @ 1:00pm AEST

Lachlan Ulyett
Griffith University and United Nations Intern
Lachlan Ulyett is an undergraduate student in international relations at Griffith University, an accredited audio engineer, and an intern at the United Nations Information Centre for the Pacific. He combines his technical expertise with a focus on emerging security issues, particularly in the areas of disinformation and counter-extremism, using open-source technologies to analyse and address these global challenges.
Workshop: Monday 11 November @ 1:00pm AEST and
Workshop: Tuesday 12 November @ 11:10am AEST

Taase Tavita
Office of the Electoral Commission, Samoa
Taase Tavita is the Principal IT Programmer at the Office of the Electoral Commission, where she has played a pivotal role in the development and management of the Electoral Management System (EMS) for over 10 years. Since joining the Commission as a full-time employee 16 months ago, Taase has led two major reforms to the EMS, including transitioning the system to a web-based platform with an integrated information portal for online voter registration. This innovation has significantly improved the system’s efficiency and accessibility. Taase holds a Bachelor’s in Computer and Information Sciences (Software Development) from New Zealand and a Diploma of Information Technology from Australia.
Workshop: Monday 11 November @ 1:00pm AEST

Dr. Ferran Martinez i Coma
Griffith University
Dr. Ferran Martinez i Coma is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Government and International Relations at Griffith University, with a focus on elections, electoral integrity, comparative politics, political parties, and electoral behaviour. An applied political scientist, Dr. Martinez i Coma has extensive experience in consulting, public policy, and teaching.
Before joining Griffith, he worked at the University of Sydney’s Electoral Integrity Project and at the Centro de Investigaciones y Docencia Economicas (CIDE) in Mexico City. He has served as a policy adviser at both the national and local levels in Spain, including as a Senior Adviser in the Spanish Prime Minister’s Policy Unit and a Technical Adviser in Barcelona City Hall.
Dr. Martinez i Coma has authored 17 policy reports for international organisations such as the Organization of American States (OAS), International IDEA, and various think tanks. He regularly contributes to publications such as SBS and *Piedras de Papel* on political matters and issues of global significance. His research has been published in leading journals in political science, sociology, and economics.
Panel: Monday 11 November @ 2:30pm AEST

Ana Mataiciwa
Supervisor of Elections, Fijian Elections Office
Ana Mataiciwa was appointed Supervisor of Elections in May 2024. Previously, she had served with the Fijian Elections Offices for over nine years, including a tenure as Manager Legal and an acting appointment as Supervisor of Elections since January 2023. She has over 12 years of legal practice experience.
Panel: Monday 11 November @ 2:30pm AEST

Pat Vidgen
Electoral Commission of Queensland
Pat Vidgen PSM has been the Electoral Commissioner for Queensland since 2018. With over 30 years of senior public sector management experience, Pat has held key roles across various Queensland government departments, including Deputy Director-General and Chief Operating Officer in the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, and Deputy CEO in the Public Safety Business Agency. Pat has led significant initiatives, including Queensland’s recovery from natural disasters, the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, and strategic governance advice for various public sector bodies. In 2016, he was awarded a Public Service Medal for his exceptional contributions. He holds a degree in Public Administration from Queensland University of Technology and is a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia.
Panel: Monday 11 November @ 2:30pm AEST

Julie Igglesdon
Australian Electoral Commission
Julie Igglesden is the Director of the Australian Electoral Commission’s (AEC) Defending Democracy Unit, where she leads initiatives to safeguard electoral integrity in Australia. Since 2022, she has overseen the Electoral Integrity Assurance Taskforce and worked with major social media companies to combat electoral threats. Prior to joining the AEC, Julie was a professional classical musician, performing with symphony orchestras across Australia. She continues her involvement in music through regular performances with the Canberra Symphony Orchestra.
Panel: Monday 11 November @ 2:30pm AEST

Alexander John Stanley
Office of the Electoral Commission Samoa
Tuiafelolo Alexander John Stanley, known as Tui, has served as the Electoral Commissioner for nearly two years. With a Master’s in Business Administration specialising in Management and Public Administration, as well as Diplomas in Public Sector Management and Education, Tui brings over 30 years of experience across multiple sectors of public service. As Commissioner, he has led efforts to modernise the Electoral Commission by introducing digital tools to enhance voter registration and election monitoring. Tui is known for his collaborative approach, working closely with international Electoral Management Bodies (EMBs) and local civic groups to ensure transparent and inclusive elections. Under his leadership, the Commission has focused on rebuilding public trust and improving voter confidence, establishing itself as a regional leader in electoral management.
Panel: Monday 11 November @ 2:30pm AEST

Prof Carme Colomina
College of Europe, Bruges
Carme Colomina is a Senior Research Fellow specialising in European Union affairs, disinformation, and global politics at CIDOB (Barcelona Centre for International Affairs). She is also a Visiting Professor at the College of Europe in Bruges. Carme has coauthored influential studies, including The Impact of Disinformation on Democratic Processes and Human Rights in the World (2021), a report for the European Parliament.
Her work critically examines the intersection of disinformation and global politics, with a particular focus on its implications for democracy and human rights. Carme is recognized as a thought leader in her field and contributes extensively to research on the role of disinformation in shaping political discourse worldwide.
Presenting: Monday 11 November @ 4:00pm AEST

Prof Brendan Mackey
Director of the Griffith Climate Action Beacon, Griffith University
Prof Brendan Mackey is Director of the Griffith Climate Action Beacon at Griffith University, Queensland.
He has a PhD in plant ecology from The Australian National University.
He has over 300 academic publications in the fields of climate change research and biodiversity as well as related topics in environmental science and policy.
Brendan was a Coordinating Lead Author for the 2022 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change IPCC 6th Assessment Report, Working Group II – impacts, vulnerability & adaptation.
Panel: Tuesday 12 November @ 9:30am AEST

Rosita Rokobuli
Pacific Youth Representative, Nauru
Law student from the Republic of Nauru and Miss Nauru 2023.
Panel: Tuesday 12 November @ 9:30am AEST

Dr Evan Center
UN Global Compact Network Australia
Dr. Evan Beaumont Center leads the environment and climate change programming at the UN Global Compact Network Australia (UNGCNA). In this role, he drives business engagement aligned with the UN Global Compact’s Ten Principles and the Sustainable Development Goals. With a PhD in Communication from the University of Kansas, Dr. Beaumont Center has extensively researched environmental communication, climate literacy, and corporate social responsibility. He regularly publishes and presents on these topics and is deeply passionate about sustainability. Outside of work, he enjoys cooking and spending time in the ocean.
Panel: Tuesday 12 November @ 9:30am AEST

Ana Tiraa
Ministry of Finance and Economic Management, Cook Islands
With over 20 years of experience in conservation, environmental management, and climate change, Anna currently works for the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management (MFEM) in the Cook Islands, an Accredited Entity to the Green Climate Fund. She has also served as the Director of Climate Change for the Cook Islands. Her career spans work with government entities, NGOs, the private sector, intergovernmental regional organisations, and the United Nations.
Ana brings expertise in project design, implementation, negotiation, and evaluation, focusing on sustainable development and environmental conservation in the Pacific region. She has been involved in high-level policy discussions and has contributed to climate change initiatives that aim to protect the region’s ecosystems and ensure long-term environmental resilience.
Panel: Tuesday 12 November @ 9:30am AEST

Emmanuel (Manu) Peni
Project Sepik, Papua New Guinea
Emmanuel Peni, a passionate advocate for environmental protection and Indigenous rights from the Sepik River region of Papua New Guinea, is dedicated to defending the Sepik River system from the proposed Frieda River Mine. Emmanuel’s work emphasises the importance of Indigenous knowledge and community-driven conservation, inspiring individuals worldwide. His TED Talk, The Sustainable Brilliance of Indigenous Design, has garnered over a million views and showcases the resilience and innovation of traditional practices. Emmanuel’s advocacy also highlights the struggle against corporate and governmental pressures that use deceptive tactics to access land and resources, underscoring the need for Indigenous voices in environmental decision-making.
Panel: Tuesday 12 November @ 9:30am AEST

Dr Anurag Deep
UNESCO
Dr. Anurag Deep is an educational researcher specialising in learning processes, focusing on the analysis of learner interactions and artefacts. He holds a PhD in Educational Technology from the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay and a master’s in Environmental Studies from the University of Delhi. Dr. Deep has designed and implemented training courses on Education for Sustainable Development and Media Literacy at UNESCO MGIEP, contributing to global efforts to enhance education in these critical areas.
Workshop: Tuesday 12 November @ 11:10am AEST

Dr Becky White
WHO
Dr. Becky White is a consultant and researcher with 20 years of experience in health promotion, digital health, and infodemic management. As an infodemic management consultant with the WHO’s RCCE-IM team, she has worked on projects involving social listening, monitoring information trends, and analysing misinformation, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. White holds a PhD in Public Health and serves as an Adjunct Research Fellow at Curtin University in Perth, Australia. She is also an IUHPE-accredited Health Promotion Practitioner.
Workshop: Tuesday 12 November @ 11:10am AEST
Panel: Tuesday 12 November @ 1.15pm AEST

Lenka Dojcanova
WHO
Lenka Dojcanova is a Risk Communications Officer at the World Health Organization’s Division of Pacific Technical Support, with over a decade of experience in public and risk communication, community engagement, and infodemic management within the United Nations system. She works closely with Pacific Island nations to strengthen communication capabilities and prepare for health emergencies. Lenka has led numerous communication campaigns, improving public trust and increasing transparency in health and security initiatives. She holds a Master’s degree in International Relations from Uppsala University and advanced certifications from Harvard School of Public Health and the United Nations System Staff College.
Workshop: Tuesday 12 November @ 11:10am AEST
Panel: Tuesday 12 November @ 1.15pm AEST

Afreeda Germean
United Nations Intern and Griffith University
Afreeda Germann is an international undergraduate student from Sweden pursuing a degree in Government and International Relations at Griffith University. She is also a 2024 Mayor’s Student Ambassador to the City of Gold Coast. Having lived in diverse regions, including Sweden, the Kurdish region of Iraq, and Australia, Afreeda is deeply interested in the global impact of disinformation. She currently interns with UNIC Canberra for the Disinformation Pacific 2024 Conference, where she is expanding her understanding of disinformation challenges and solutions.
Workshop: Tuesday 12 November @ 11:10am AEST

Mekenzie Mulligan
United Nations Intern and University of Canberra
Mekenzie Mulligan is a second-year student at the University of Canberra, currently interning with the United Nations Information Centre for the Pacific. A dedicated member of UN Youth Australia, Mekenzie is passionate about global youth engagement and the intersection of international relations and sustainable development. She is eager to leverage her academic background and internship experience to contribute to international advocacy and policy initiatives.
Workshop: Tuesday 12 November @ 11:10am AEST

Samantha Iyar
Journalist, Island Times Newspaper, Palau
Samantha Iyar (Sammy) hails from the beautiful islands of the Republic of Palau and is passionate about storytelling through journalism and mass communication. She recently graduated from Ming Chuan University in Taiwan, where she majored in Journalism and Mass Communications. Samantha currently works as a social media manager and junior journalist for Island Times Newspaper, gaining experience in reporting and contributing to the vibrant media landscape of Palau.
With a keen interest in visual storytelling, she enjoys capturing her surroundings through short videos and photography with her Sony DSLR camera. Samantha is committed to learning and growing as a journalist and strives to use her experiences to create engaging content and share the unique stories of her island home with the world.
Workshop: Tuesday 12 November @ 11:10am AEST

Rashan Senanayake
Founder & CEO of Inspired Education Australia
Rashan is inspiring innovation & emerging technologies around Australia as the founder and CEO of Australia’s leading professional development for 21st century education & industry: Inspired Education Australia.
In addition to this, Rashan is also the Design Director for Inspired Design Australia, servicing and helping other entrepreneurs, start-ups and small to medium businesses with ‘Design for Business’.
Rashan was born in Sri Lanka and migrated to Australia at a young age. Following which his secondary & tertiary education excelled in various leadership roles and highlighted a love for design. Developing this passion for design, Rashan took steps to become a practicing Architect. He graduated in (Design) Architecture with first class honours from the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in 2011 and completed his Master in Architecture in the top 10 of his year level in 2012. However, shortly after Rashan’s career changed when he left conventional practice to impact Australian education.
Workshop: Tuesday 12 November @ 11:10am AEST

Prof Sara Davies
Deputy Director (Indo-Pacific Research), ARC Centre of Excellence
for the Elimination of Violence against Women (CEVAW), Griffith University
Professor Sara E. Davies, PhD, FASSA, FAIIA, is a Professor of International Relations at Griffith University’s Griffith Asia Institute and Deputy Director (Indo-Pacific Research) of the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Her research examines strategies for scaling up prevention and protection capacities for at-risk populations during shocks such as conflict, mass atrocities, and disease outbreaks. Recently, she has focused on early warning systems for preventing conflict-related gender-based violence and community capacity-building for disease outbreak emergencies in South and Southeast Asia. Professor Davies’ work has been instrumental in shaping policy and practice in these critical areas.
Panel: Tuesday 12 November @ 1:15pm AEST
Workshop: Tuesday 12 November @ 3:00pm AEST

Dr Phyu Phyu Oo
Griffith University
Phyu Phyu Oo is a Research Fellow at the Centre of Excellence for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (CEVAW) at Griffith University. With over 15 years of experience in public health, sexual and gender-based violence, and conflict zones, Phyu Phyu is a dedicated scholar and practitioner. She has collaborated with United Nations agencies, international NGOs, and academic institutions across the Indo-Pacific, contributing to research and interventions aimed at reducing violence against women and supporting survivors in complex and challenging environments.
Workshop: Tuesday 12 November @ 3:00pm AEST

Dr Rachel Devi
Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Fiji
Dr. Rachel Devi is the Head of the Family Health Unit at the Ministry of Health and Medical Services in Fiji. A public health specialist, Dr. Devi holds an MBBS from the Fiji School of Medicine (2007) and a master’s in international public health from the University of Sydney (2017). She is currently pursuing her PhD at the University of New South Wales. With over 17 years of experience working within the Ministry of Health, Dr. Devi has focused on improving family health programs in Fiji, with particular emphasis on maternal, child, and reproductive health.
Panel: Tuesday 12 November @ 1:15pm AEST

Folau Hola Mafi
Ministry of Health, Tonga
Folau Hola Mafi is a Health Promotion Graduate working in the NCD-Health Promotion Unit within the Public Health Division of the Ministry of Health, Tonga. In this role, Folau leads and coordinates Healthy Setting Programs across churches, villages, schools, and workplaces, serving as the Coordinator of the Health Promoting Church Partnership (HPCP). Through HPCP, she collaborates closely with church leaders and health partners to harness the church’s influence in promoting healthy lifestyles and preventing non-communicable diseases (NCDs). She is also responsible for health communication programs, including risk communication and community engagement (RCCE) during emergencies and disasters, a new initiative for the Health Promotion Unit. Her experience includes lifestyle counseling on diet, smoking, and mental health, along with conducting training sessions in physical activity across various community settings. She believes that communication is a powerful tool for empowering individuals to make informed health choices. With over 13 years in health promotion, Folau holds a Bachelor of Public Health Certificate and a Diploma in Counseling.
Panel: Tuesday 12 November @ 1:15pm AEST

Karim Dickie
UNANZ
Karim Dickie is the President of the United Nations Association of New Zealand and a public servant based in Wellington. He serves on multiple boards, including the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs and the Royal Commonwealth Society. Karim also acts as the Executive Director of the Caribbean Council (NZ). His past roles include serving as Executive Secretary to the Ambassador of Timor-Leste and as a contributor to Radio New Zealand. Karim holds a Bachelor of Arts from Victoria University of Wellington and has studied at Massey University.
Workshop: Tuesday 12 November @ 3:00pm AEST

Donnell Davis
UNAA
National President UNAA – informing, inspiring and engaging our peoples for a safer, fairer, more sustainable future.
Workshop: Tuesday 12 November @ 3:00pm AEST

Thank you to all our speakers!
We’re grateful for your involvement at Disinfo Pacific: A Regional Conference on Information Integrity held 11-12 November 2024 in Brisbane, Australia.