Join Ausheritage for a FREE online symposium on Thursday 18 September 2025 at 3pm AEST as they  explore some of the challenges and opportunities relating to strategic long-term planning for culture and heritage in times of crisis and deep uncertainty about the future. Australian and international experts and practitioners will explore various dimensions of uncertainty in Australia and the Indo-Pacific region – both how they are or may impact cultural and heritage places and collections and, in turn, how culture and heritage can help communities navigate these challenges.

Topics covered include:

• pressures, crisis and opportinutues currently in our region; and
• changing practices in strategic planning

Three keynote speakers will explore the changing environment in the Indo-Pacific region and new opportunities. They will be followed by an expert panel discussing contemporary issues after which there will be an opportunity for Q&A and general discussion involving all the presenters and online participants.

AusHeritage speakers

• Vinod Daniel OAM, Chair of AusHeritage
• Alex Marsden, Deputy Chair of AusHeritage and Symposium moderator

Keynote speakers

• Professor Nick Bisley, Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences, Prof International Relations, La Trobe University
• Mr Seb Chan, Director & CEO, Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI)
• Dr Sandra Fatorić, Visiting Scholar, Faculty of Archaeology, Leiden University, The Netherlands

Panellists

• Ms A. Vijaya, Principal Director, Architectural Division, Indian National Trust for Arts & Cultural Heritage (INTACH)
• Ms Sarah Feijen, CEO Artlab, AusHeritage Director
• Mr Peter Romey, Australia ICOMOS and former AusHeritage Director

You can download the Symposium program here.

Registration is essential.

A link to the webinar will be sent to all registered attendees before the event.

Image: Tourism Australia

Presented by AusHeritage and hosted by the University of Melbourne.