La Trobe University Centre for Dialogue

Organisation

The Centre is interdisciplinary, research-based, educationally minded, policy-driven and network-oriented.

Its main functions are:

• Pure and applied research of international standing
• Educational courses and projects designed to promote cultural literacy in schools and institutions of higher and continuing education
• Community engagement aimed at nurturing inter-cultural dialogue and co-operation
• International networking, collaborative projects and exchanges, especially in Asia Pacific
• Policy advice to governmental bodies, international agencies and non-governmental organisations

The La Trobe Centre for Dialogue fosters on-going interaction between scholars, and representatives of key constituencies including government, industry, labour, international organisations, professional associations and the community sector more generally.

It will initially focus on dialogue across:

• Cultures, religions and civilisations – relevant to many contemporary national and international conflicts;
• Competing globalisation discourses – not just the different perspectives of intellectuals, but the policy positions of key constituencies, including government, international organisations, industry, labour, the professions and the wider community.

Supervision of the Centre's activities

Director

• Professor Joseph A. Camilleri, BA (Melbourne), MA (Monash), PhD (London)

Board of Management

• Ms Elizabeth Proust, Chair of the Centre for Dialogue
• Professor Joseph Camilleri, Director of the Centre for Dialogue
• Adjunct Professor Morag Fraser AM, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences La Trobe University
• Professor Sandy Gifford, Director, Refugee Health Research Centre, La Trobe University
• Right Reverend Philip Huggins, Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Melbourne’s Northern Region
• Professor David de Vaus, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, La Trobe University
• Professor Spencer Zifcak, Director of the Institute of Legal Studies, Australian Catholic University

Board of Advisors

• Mr Brian Ashen, Buddhist Council of Victoria
• Professor Gary Bouma, UNESCO Chair in Interreligious and Intercultural Relations - Asia Pacific, Monash University
• Associate Professor Di Bretherton, School of Behavioural Science, University of Melbourne
• Mr Mick Butera, Executive Director, NIETL/Northlink
• Professor Desmond Cahill, School of Global Studies, Social Science and Planning, RMIT
• Mr Dennis Cliche, Chief Executive Officer, Yarra Trams
• Mr Hass Dellal OAM, Executive Director, Australian Multicultural Foundation
• Mr Hugh Evans, International Director, The Oaktree Foundation
• Dr Rhonda Galbally AO, Chief Executive, Our Community
• Dr Peta Goldburg, Head of School of Religious Education, Australian Catholic University
• Senior Constable Ali Gurdag, Multicultural Liaison Unit, Victoria Police
• Mr George Lekakis, Chairperson, Victorian Multicultural Commission
• Ms Joumanah El Matrah, Director, Islamic Women’s Welfare Council of Victoria
• Adjunct Professor Charles Mott, School of Historical and European Studies, La Trobe University
• Reverend David Pargeter, Director, Commission for Mission, Uniting Church in Australia Synod of Victoria and Tasmania
• Ms Maureen Postma, General Secretary, Victorian Council of Churches
• Mr Erskine Rodan, Immigration Lawyer, Erskine Rodan and Associates
• Professor Abdullah Saeed, Director, Centre for the Study of Contemporary Islam, University of Melbourne
• Mr Tony Schiavello, Managing Director, Schiavello Group of Companies
• Ms Dalal Smiley, Metropolitan Fire Brigade
• Mr Yasser Soliman, Council for a Multicultural Australia
• Mr Malcolm Thomas, President, Islamic Council of Victoria
• Mr Gary Thomas, Director, Indigenous Education, La Trobe University
• Mr Simon Tisher, Multicultural and Interfaith Officer, Jewish Community Council of Victoria
• Mr Steven Wojtkiw, General Manager and Chief Economist, Victorian Employers' Chamber of Commerce and Industry