We are a community of curious, connected and interested Melburnians contributing to and engaging on the important issues of today and tomorrow.
Melbourne Forum gives you access to the highest level of expertise and real-world lessons that our conversation leaders – all with a reputation for excellence – bring to the table under the Chatham House rule.
We are committed to providing a platform for, and the increased visibility of, diverse voices.
With varied formats (in-person or virtual; conversation leader or members engaging with each other; learning from experts or new experiences) there are multiple ways to participate.
Explore our upcoming program of events and forums.
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September 2022
Confronting Australia’s declining physical and built environment
Can Australia's environment recover from a state of decline and withstand increasing threats? MF member Prof Graeme Samuel AC believes that Australia’s natural environment and iconic places are in an overall state of decline and are under increasing threat. The State of the Environment Report,…
Find out more »Cultivating Climate Courage
There are ways to protect our land, our food and our future, and they’re within our grasp if we are cultivate climate courage. Dr Anika Molesworth is a recognised thought-leader of agro-ecological systems resilience and international farming development. With a passion for rural communities and…
Find out more »One man in his time
We are delighted that John Bell, Founding Artistic Director of Bell Shakespeare (1990 -2015), will be sharing the late afternoon with us while he is in Melbourne for One Man In His Time: John Bell and Shakespeare at the Arts Centre. In a career of…
Find out more »20-Minute Neighbourhoods and Sustainability
The way we live in our city has changed. And with this change is an increased interest on the liveability of neighbourhoods, with people spending more time locally, working at home if possible, using public green space, cycling and walking instead of using cars and connecting with neighbours.…
Find out more »How to Prevail in the Age of Unreason
The provocative new book from one of the world’s foremost political writers. This book group discussion is bound to be stimulating and interesting. The author of The Madness of the Crowds and an editor at the UK's Spectator argues that the Western cultural elite is determined to destroy…
Find out more »Mr Morrison’s additional Ministries. How COULD this happen?
The emerging account of the former PM’s approach to Australia's Westminster system has troubled those supportive of that system and the safety afforded by checks and balances within it. Are we now more firmly on the path of Prime Ministers with ambitions associated with the…
Find out more »October 2022
The changing political demographics in Victoria
Kosmos (Kos) Samaras served as assistant secretary of the Victorian ALP from 2005-20. He, with others, then founded RedBridge Consulting which provides intense political analysis for clients across the spectrum. RedBridge was engaged by Simon Holmes a Court to provide advice in the campaigns of…
Find out more »‘Why do Women have to make nice’ – Is Society finally experiencing a cultural and gender shift?
Dangerous Dinners are back and with them the opportunity to fearlessly discuss contemporary, challenging and interesting ideas, themes and points of view. Dangerous Dinners are member-only events where instead of a guest speaker, the topic is developed and moderated by members. In a relaxed, intimate…
Find out more »Your data
Are you concerned about the Optus data breach? Are you confused about data protection laws? Are the different concepts of data security and data privacy confusing? Do you feel a lack of access and control of your data? If the answer to any one of…
Find out more »Australia & the Pacific
Australia’s deep past and its modern history are intrinsically linked to the Pacific. This and other themes will be explored by this Melbourne Forum book group. In Australia & the Pacific (NewSouth, October 2021) Ian Hoskins, an academic and public historian for 30 years, expands his…
Find out more »Benchmarking Melbourne – A Tale of Two Cities?
“While Melbourne is still very much in recovery mode, now is the time to double down on what makes our city thrive and that starts with greater collaboration, integration and investment from all levels of government to business and community leaders.” – Mark Melvin, CEO,…
Find out more »COP 27 – can the UN climate conference in Sharm el-Sheikh bring about change?
The 27th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 27) to the UNFCCC will take place in the Red Sea resort, Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt during 7-18 November 2022. The Conference of the Parties, or COP, is an annual conference in which participating nations and…
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