ECSC Inclusion Conference (Keynote Address) - Randa Kattan, CEO Arab Council of Australia

"There is no uniervsally-accepted defintion of inclusion, still there are many defintions on offer in this country that generally accept that inclusion means inviting those who have been historically locked out to come in; to learn, to play, to secure a job, to access services, to connect with others and to have their voices heard."
"Inclusion is a practice not a concept. It's a practice that recognises and accepts that we are all born IN. It becomes our responsibility as change makers to remove all barriers which uphold exclusion, as none of us has the authority to invite others in."
Randa has been an active community member for well over two decades and a vocal advocate on a range of social justice issues. She has worked in the areas of settlement, employment, youth, women and children's services and management and has intiated a range of anti-racist strategies, cultural and community building events and projects. She has led a number of organisations, campaigns, projects and programs within and outside the Arabic community and has served on a range of high level and ministerial commitees including: Premier's Council for Women, Premier's Crime Prevention Council, Anti Poverty Week NSW Facilitating Group, Implementation Commitee of Premiers Youth Patnership with Arabic speaking communities to name a few,
Randa holds a range of qualifications including social sciences, management and training and is currently completing a Masters Degree in Social Change and Development. She is the inaugral Chairperson of Sydney Alliance - a coalition of community organisations, trade unions and religious organisations - where she served for over 3 years until May 2013. In December 2014, Randa was named in the Pro Bono Australia's first Impact 25 list - an honour roll of Australia's twenty five most influential people in the non-for-profit sector.
Randa presently holds the position of Chief Executive Officer of Arab Council of Australia - a secular non-profit community organisation working to bring about social justice and improve the lives of the most vulnerable people in the community.