Pre-summit
Wednesday 25 November
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6:30pm Welcome
Welcome gathering
Informal drinks for delegates arriving from interstate. Registration desk open.
Two days in Sydney, with a welcome gathering on Wednesday evening and a community day on Friday.
Day one
Thursday 26 November
From awareness to action
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Welcome
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8:45am Opening
Welcome to Country, opening remarks and official opening
Our hosts, the Australian Advisory Committee and the New South Wales Government open the Summit, with messages from federal leaders in Canberra.
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Local government on the front line
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10:00am Plenary
Opening plenary — The State of Antisemitism in 2026
The national and global picture, the data behind it, and how hate escalates across every form.
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10:20am Keynote
Keynote — When hatred becomes local: what does a mayor actually do?
Two mayors who have led their communities through real tension, on public space, protest, intimidation and civic leadership under pressure.
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The government response
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11:15am Panel
Panel — Law enforcement, community protection and foreign interference
Police, community security organisations and Commonwealth agencies on who does what when hate reaches a community, and how councils fit in.
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12:05pm Break
Networking lunch
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Research and dialogue
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1:00pm Research
Research spotlight — Strong Cities
New university findings on what local government needs to build cohesion.
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1:30pm Talk
In conversation — Ahmed Hassan AM and Rabbi Gabi Kaltmann
A decade of Jewish–Muslim dialogue: two leaders who kept talking through the hardest years, on how it is done.
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Action
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2:45pm Workshop
Breakout workshops, led by Ahmed and Gabi
Choose your track. Every council leaves having named what it will start, what it will change, and what it will take back to its own chamber.
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3:50pm Q&A
Open floor
Delegates put their workshop questions directly to the speakers.
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4:10pm Keynote
Closing keynote — A democratic emergency
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4:40pm
Conference adjourns
Summit gala
Thursday evening
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6:30pm Dinner
Pre-dinner drinks and dinner
A dinner bringing together delegates, government, diplomatic and community leaders.
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7:50pm Talk
Leaving hate behind
A former violent extremist and a former far-right leader, now working side by side, on how radicalisation takes hold and the pathways out.
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9:10pm Award
Moral Courage Award and a minute of silence
Recognising outstanding local leadership against hate.
Day two
Friday 27 November
Community day, by chartered coach
The closing day brings delegates together for shared experience, formal outcomes and public commemoration.
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Morning
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Transfer
Delegates assemble and depart
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Experience
An introduction to Jewish life and practice
Hands-on challah baking alongside an open, ask-anything conversation with a rabbi, designed so every delegate can take part, whatever their background. Delegates then join a guided visit to a major synagogue in small groups.
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Lunch
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Outcomes
The outcomes moment
The tangible commitments councils have made are formally presented and recognised — the point at which two days of work becomes a public undertaking. A community lunch follows, shared across the full delegation.
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Ceremony
Ceremonial gathering and closing plenary
A moment of commemoration and solidarity at a site of deep significance to the community, where councils from every corner of Australia stand together.
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Summit concludes
Speakers
Confirmed speakers appearing across the Summit, gala dinner and workshops. Further speakers will be announced.
Ahmed Hassan OAM
Community leader and youth advocate
Ahmed Hassan is a Melbourne community leader and youth advocate. The 2022 Victorian Young Australian of the Year, he works across community, government and civic life to strengthen social cohesion and create pathways into education and employment.
At the Summit he joins Rabbi Gabi Kaltmann for the Research and dialogue in-conversation session, and leads the afternoon workshops.
Rabbi Gabi Kaltmann
ARK Centre
Rabbi Gabi Kaltmann is the rabbi of Melbourne’s ARK Centre and a member of the Australian Multicultural Council. He is known for his work in interfaith dialogue and social cohesion, including the Pillars of Light Festival.
Together with Ahmed Hassan OAM, he hosts the Research and dialogue in-conversation session and leads the Summit’s afternoon workshops.
Sheina Gutnick
Public Affairs Advocate, CAM Australia
Sheina Gutnick is Public Affairs Advocate for Combat Antisemitism Movement Australia. Drawing on a background in psychology and community education, she works with governments and councils on practical responses to antisemitism and social cohesion.
By registering you will join a movement in ensuring antisemitism cannot take root in our local community. Take a stand against the world's most ancient hatred and bring all Australians together.
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