How Australia and other countries can respond to threats to democracy like populism, misinformation and war is the focus of the 2023 Crawford Leadership Forum taking place at The Australian National University (ANU) next Monday and Tuesday.

Now in its 10th year, the ANU Crawford Leadership Forum is the premier event of its kind in Australia.

This year’s forum features a range of high-profile practitioners and experts from across politics, policy, business and academia.

Speakers include Senator David Pocock, Professor Brian Schmidt, Speaker the Hon Milton Dick MP, the Hon Tony Smith, Ms Alison Kitchen, Professor Peter Yu, Ms Chanel Contos, Ms Padma Raman, the Hon Dr Andrew Leigh MP and His Excellency Vasyl Myroshnychenko.

The forum will focus on a number of challenges to democracy across the globe, including the fight against dis- and misinformation, inequality and populism, national security, and war and violence.

Panelists will also explore opportunities for democratic resilience and renewal, with a focus on the role of young people in politics, grassroots and community-based democratic action, civics education, and the role of corporate Australia.

This year’s forum will be preceded by the 2023 JG Crawford Oration to be delivered by Professor Stan Grant on Monday 30 October.

Professor Grant, the inaugural Director of Constructive Institute Asia Pacific at Monash University, will examine how our history has damaged democracy, with a focus on the recent Voice referendum result.