Who gets to belong: Culture, rights and a fairer Australia

Grab a seat, grab a thought, and get ready for a warm, thought-provoking evening that’s less like a lecture and more like a dinner party with your smartest, most compassionate friends. This isn’t about shouting from podiums — it’s about listening, learning, and laughing a little while we unpick what ‘belonging’ really means in Australia today.

Hosted by RACS (Refugee Advice & Casework Service) in collaboration with Belvoir St Theatre, this event brings together powerhouse voices who’ve lived, written, and fought for belonging. You’ll hear from writer and broadcaster Benjamin Law, community leader and refugee advocate Shabnam Safa OAM, Plate It Forward founder Shaun Christie-David, and Walkley award-winner Sarah Malik. They’ll explore identity, community, and the often-unspoken values that shape who gets a seat at the table — and who doesn’t.

Whether you’re here to connect with your own migration story, care deeply about human rights, or just curious about how we talk about ‘Australian values’, this conversation is for you. No jargon, no grandstanding — just honest talk with heart. Think of it as essential reading, but spoken aloud, in a room full of kindred spirits.

The evening includes:

• A moderated panel that moves with grace — never rushed, never dry
• Personal stories that stay with you long after the lights come up
• Plenty of room for reflection — and maybe even a few quiet nods of recognition in the dark

It’s rare to find an event that’s both deeply meaningful and effortlessly engaging. This is one of them. Arrive curious. Leave inspired — or at the very least, a little more thoughtful about who we are as a nation.