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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June 2022
RISING Festival – Melbourne Forum double-bill
A festival three years in the making! Put on your walking shoes and immerse yourself in a fabulous Rising 'double bill' for Melbourne Forum. Golden Square "art, empire, identity, spirituality overlap in China town". Four floors of the Golden Square car park is being activated…
Find out more »The ‘new normal’ – Chinese espionage
Chinese espionage tradecraft and covert action and why the US and its allies, including Australia, need to stay focussed. The People’s Republic of China's massive ‘whole-of-society’ approach to espionage is creating a new paradigm on how intelligence activities are conducted, viewed, and addressed by nations.…
Find out more »Thriving
An innovation agenda for turning our biggest global societal challenges into opportunities to thrive. Whether you’re a board director, a business leader, an executive, a professional in the sustainability field, or someone who wants to be better informed about ways to take positive action, this…
Find out more »Too many Victorians in Gaol?
For decades Victoria had a reputation as a State with low rates of crime, and, commensurately lower rates of imprisonment. But in recent years there has been a dramatic change. Whilst we still live in a State boasting very low crime rates by international standards,…
Find out more »Underground Mega Structures – Saviours or Death Traps?
Humankind has always looked to the underground as a savior to its most pressing perils. Professor Dix argues that solutions to many of the worlds most urgent problems today can be found in intelligent development underground. Drawing on examples as diverse as Hitlers secret city…
Find out more »IPCC Sixth Assessment Report – lessons from the Australasia factsheet?
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Sixth Assessment Report, Climate Change 2021 – The Physical Science Basis, was published drawing on the contributions of hundreds of scientists from around the world. The report provides an assessment and synthesis of peer-reviewed literature on climate science and…
Find out more »QVM – ensuring contemporary relevance for a much loved heritage icon
The Queen Victoria Market was established in 1878, so that, in our relatively youthful capital city, the Market is a genuine historic icon. Particularly since WW2 it has been a classic symbol of our multi cultural society. This has not transpired without controversy — some…
Find out more »We have a New Federal Government. So What?
Join us for this terrific panel event with John Ridley AM, Terry Moran AC, Prof Andrea Hull AO and Chris Gallagher moderated by Dr Michael Henry AM. The four panel members, drawing on their expertise and experience, will talk about and critique So What? with…
Find out more »July 2022
The end of Roe v Wade
Online from Boston two outstanding experts on the implications of the Supreme Court Decision in Dobbs v Jackson. In the media in Australia there have been wild inaccuracies about the true import of this decision (it has not ended abortion throughout USA). But nevertheless the…
Find out more »Harnessing the power of truth telling
Victoria is the first Australian state to establish an independent body (with the powers of a Royal Commission) to create an official public record of injustices experienced by its First Peoples since the start of colonisation. A key component of the Yoorrook Justice Commission's work…
Find out more »Two Lives, One Nation and Art Under Tyranny
This book group discussion takes us on a journey with Ai Weiwei - one of the world's most famous artists and activists - whose memoir tells a century-long epic tale of China through the story of his own extraordinary life and the legacy of his…
Find out more »Boardroom responses – opportunities and risks in a zero carbon, sustainable world.
Navigating the complexity and scale of moving towards zero carbon is a key focus for boards and directors while the momentum for sustainability is not abating. Expectations are increasing. Scrutiny from many directions and varied stakeholders is adding to the urgency of meaningful change. The…
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