Women’s Climate Conversations online
Our very popular Women’s Climate Conversations online series brings together women from diverse backgrounds in online conversations with WCC Founder Dr Janet Salisbury and other WCC members. In these events we discuss aspects of the WCC vision, values and commitments in the light of initiatives and insights from women from diverse backgrounds and disciplines.
Participants have been struck by the inclusivity of these conversations as we bring together women to share insights on the interconnected factors affecting women and Earth. Feedback from participants suggest what we offer is unique and captures a form of deep listening rarely seen elsewhere.
See also our ‘Other events’ page for other events and activities, including those hosted in collaboration with other organisations.
New! Listen to podcasts of our September online conversation
Next event
Partnership on climate between First Nations and settler women: Potential and opportunities
Wednesday 19 February 2025
7-8:30pm AEDT (Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne)
Please check your local time zone
In what has been called a ‘transformational decade’ towards 2035 emissions reduction targets, this conversation will explore how two underrepresented groups in climate change decision making, First Nations and settler women, can form innovative partnerships to amplify, while not conflating, First Nations and all women’s voices to support gender justice and self-determination to transform nation-building towards climate security and long-term human and planetary wellbeing.
For this important conversation, WCC Founder, Dr Janet Salisbury, will be in conversation with Bec Blurton (Managing Director, First Nations Affairs and WCC Steering Circle member) , Robyn James (Global Leader for Gender Equity at The Nature Conservancy) and Terri Reid (Project Coordinator, Wiyi Yani U Thangani Institute for First Nations Gender Justice, ANU).
Meet our conversationalists …
Bec Blurton is a Noongar Traditional Owner, experienced working with communities across Australia. She is an experienced executive with 15+ years in project delivery, program design and people leadership in human rights and social justice. She is the Managing Director of First Nations Affairs, an advisory firm that partners with industry, government and Aboriginal corporations towards a just transition. In this role she works to:
elevate First Nations voices and lived experience in policy and programs that impact them
understand and embed the principles of the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
understand and promote First Nations self-determination
promote and work towards Nation Building
drive meaningful and sustainable reconciliation.
Terri Reid is a proud Wuthathi, Meriam and Gamilaroi woman from Brisbane and is the Project Coordinator at the Wiyi Yani U Thangani Institute for First Nations Gender Justice at the Australian National University. Opened in 2024 to promote First Nations gender justice and equality in Australia, the Wiyi Yani U Thangani Insititue elevates the voices of First Nations women and girls, knowing that they hold the solutions to drive transformative change.
Tetri has a Batchelor of Business Administration from UTS and previously held positions with the Federal Government Business Grants Hub. She is a member of the Australian Indigenous Leadership Centre and is passionate about Indigenous business, economic empowerment and future prosperity for Indigenous youth.
Robyn James is the Global Director of Gender Equity for The Nature Conservancy (TNC). Over a 20+ year conservation career, she has developed deep experience in gender, equity and social justice, community-based conservation, philanthropy, and government policies and programs. She joined TNC in 2010 and previously held staff positions managing projects and as the Melanesia Conservation Director, focused on expanding sustainable and equitable livelihood development and better inclusion of women and others in all conservation and development.
Prior to joining TNC, Robyn held research, teaching, conservation and planning positions at the University of Queensland and Queensland State Government. Robyn has university degrees in applied science and natural resource management from The University of Queensland, Australia and has been published in a number of academic journals. Robyn is currently undertaking her PhD on women in Conservation at the University of Queensland School of Social Sciences.
Women’s Climate Conversations archive
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2024
September - Women negotiating climate. With Dr Sally Box, Kesaya Baba and Tamara Inkster-Draper
July - Caring for future generations and all Earth life. With Susan Moylan-Coombs, Professor Susan Harris Rimmer and Dr Elise Stephenson
May - Gender, climate change and disaster risk. With Dr Mary Picard, Amanda Lamont, Professor Margaret Alston AM OAM and Toni Hassan
February - Women speak out on COP28. With Mamta Borgoyary, Angelica Mantikas, Tishiko King and Sarah Ransom
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2023
September - Meeting the climate crisis inside out. With Jamie Bristow and Christine Wamsler
August - Women bringing new agendas to COP28. With Katrin Geyer, Anna Reynolds and Natalie Sifuma
July - The old world and the new: Women’s leadership journeys in a changing climate. With Cheryl Durrant, Gabrielle Kuiper and Willow Berzin
February - Women Speaking Out: The case of the Waratah Coal mine, climate change and human rights. With Alison Rose, Patricia Julien, Lala Gutchen and Murrawah Johnson
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2022
June - Women call for unified national plan for action on climate. With Kerry Chikarovski and Cheryl Durrant
April - Women call for unified national plan for action on climate. With Helen Dalley Fisher and Sienna Aguilar
March - Changing Climates: Equality today for a sustainable tomorrow. With Victoria McKenzie and Dr Zohl dé Ishtar
February - What really counts? Women speaking out for change. Jane Caro AM and Jane Gleeson-White
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2021
October - After the pandemic. What happens next? And why is women's leadership is important? With Dr Emma Dawson and Professor Susan Harris Rimmer
September - With Associate Professor Melissa Hart and Dr Angela Maharaj
August - Listening to First Nations knowledge to inform Earth-centred, collaborative governance. With Dr Mary Graham and Dr Michelle Maloney
July - Women’s voices changing the public conversation on climate change. With Dr Rebecca Huntley and Dr Jonica Newby
June - Finding compassion in public discourse and policy making. With Dr Lynne Reeder and Revd Dr Sarah Bachelard
May - Listening as we go: connecting over shared values despite difference. With Millie Rooney and Julie Lyford OAM
April - Building a unified national agreement for Australia’s climate response. With Rhiân Williams and Val Lang AM
March - How can women’s leadership inspire collaborative national action on climate change? With Cristina Talacko and Dr Kim Loo.
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2020
June - Talking together. Moderated by Lyn Stephens with Dr Janet Salisbury
May - Women turning the tide. Moderated by Lyn Stephens with Dr Janet Salisbury, Dr Honey Nelson and Louise Tarrant
May - About the Women’s Climate Congress. Moderated by Lyn Stephens with Dr Janet Salisbury