This public seminar will look at how we can better connect with multicultural parents and young people as Australia’s internet policies and regulations continue to evolve.
We’ll explore questions like:
- How well do migrant families understand new internet policies – and what do they mean in everyday life?
- How do these rules shape the day-to-day experiences of multicultural families?
- How can we better include migrant perspectives in policymaking, and engage with communities both before and after new policies are introduced?
Bringing together speakers from government, civil society organisations, and community media, the seminar will reflect on what has been done and share practical ways to improve communication, build digital confidence, and support culturally diverse families to navigate online spaces safely.
We’ll also explore broader issues such as children’s online safety and privacy, digital inclusion and the challenges multicultural families can face when engaging with digital systems and regulations in Australia.
Designed for community workers, educators, policymakers, parents, and researchers, this event aims to spark thoughtful conversations and help build stronger connections between multicultural communities and Australia’s changing digital landscape.
The seminar will run from 10.30am-12.00pm, followed by complimentary canapes and the opportunity to further network.
Please join us in-person at ACMI or online. For those registering online attendance, a Zoom link will be sent to you a day prior to event.
Panellists
Heena Sinha Cheung
Dr Heena Sinha Cheung (MAICD) is the founder of My Safe Circle, a child safety and survivor advocacy initiative focused on prevention, education, and empowering families to navigate online and offline risks safely. She is also the Director and COO of My Second Home and Co-Founder of Simple-AI, where she works on leveraging AI and digital systems to improve community outcomes and organisational efficiency. As a survivor advocate, speaker, and community leader, Heena works closely with multicultural communities across Australia, with a strong focus on culturally inclusive engagement, digital literacy, child safety, and policy conversations affecting families and young people. She has spoken at parallel events during the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW) and continues to advocate for stronger prevention-focused approaches to child safety, survivor empowerment, and community education. Her work bridges advocacy, technology, education, and lived experience to create safer and more informed communities.
Edmee Kenny
Edmee Kenny (she/her) is Senior Policy Advisor at the Centre for Multicultural Youth. With over 15 years’ experience working across migration, multicultural and youth policy for NGOs in Australia and internationally, she brings deep expertise in social justice, inclusion and strategic advocacy. Edmee holds a Master of Social Policy and is a published author on topics related to multiculturalism. She is passionate about meaningful community engagement in research and policymaking.
Fotis Kapetopoulos
Dr Fotis Kapetopoulos has more than 35 years of experience across multicultural media, policy, arts leadership, research, and higher education. He is a journalist, policy adviser, audience researcher, and creative industries practitioner. He completed a PhD in Media at Deakin University focused on independent multicultural media. Fotis is Secretary and founding director of Independent Multicultural Media Australia (IMMAA) and serves on the board of the Melbourne Press Club. Fotis is senior journalist and engagement manager at Neos Kosmos English Edition and contributes commentary to The Age and Sydney Morning Herald. His work has also appeared in Artlink, Overland, and other publications. He previously served as Multicultural Media Adviser and Assistant Multicultural Policy Adviser to former Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu, directed Multicultural Arts Victoria, and later founded Kape Communications. He developed arts management programs including New York and Athens creative industry tours. Fotis has taught at the University of Melbourne and Melbourne Polytechnic, undertaken placements at the Smithsonian Institution and Arts Council Singapore, and served on arts and academic peer review panels including Creative Victoria, Creative Australia, RMIT, and Melbourne Polytechnic.
Tebeje Molla
Dr Tebeje Molla is an ARC Future Fellow and Associate Professor in the School of Education at Deakin University, Australia. His research centres on educational disadvantage and policy responses at systemic, sectoral, and institutional levels. His recent work examines the educational experiences and attainment of African heritage Australian youth from refugee backgrounds. Dr Molla’s interdisciplinary research draws on critical sociology and the capability approach to social justice and human development. Among his notable publications are Higher Education in Ethiopia(2018, Springer), African Heritage Australian Youth (2023, Routledge), and Understanding Educational Disadvantage (in press, Bloomsbury).