Pro Bono Australia’s new education program to bring global conversations to local perspectives

Sector leader and communications expert Jackie Hanafie will drive the refreshed education program to bring global conversations to our local audience through a series of masterclasses, panel discussions and inspired conversations every two weeks. 

It’s no doubt that 2020 was the year of the webinar. As the effects of COVID-19 shut down offices around the world we turned to online learning and collaboration.

Pro Bono Australia recognises the need for change in a webinar-centric world and will this week launch a brand new, revamped education program with sector leader and international communications expert Jackie Hanafie at the helm.

A former Pro Bono Australia journalist, Hanafie has spent the past 15 years working at the intersection of strategic communications and advocacy in the social sector both in Australia and internationally and now runs her own specialist consultancy providing strategic communications and advocacy counsel to international NGOs.

Jackie Hanafie will lead Pro Bono Australia’s revamped education program.

Hanafie will collaborate with Pro Bono Australia this year to bring a fresh perspective to Pro Bono Australia’s diverse audiences.

Hanafie said she was excited to take on the role of curator to help drive the education program by widening the net and offering local and global thinkers via a fortnightly mix of content that informs and inspires Australia’s social economy.

“We’ve developed an innovative program of masterclasses, panel discussions and conversations with inspirational speakers that address the key and emerging themes not only affecting the Australian social sector but widening the lens to bring a global perspective to our local audience,” Hanafie said. 

“Thanks to COVID-19, we’re no longer limited to the best talent in our respective cities, the world has realised that we are a truly global community able to learn from each other.” 

She said there were many conversations happening overseas that haven’t quite made it to Australian shores. 

“I hope that by bringing some of these bigger discussions to light we can educate, inform and inspire the sector in a new way that hasn’t really been done before,” she said. 

The new education program will address key issues in Australia but also initiate broader discussions around important topics such as diversity, race, transparency, social innovation and co-design.

Pro Bono Australia founder Karen Mahlab AM said it was an exciting time for the organisation with a new educational direction. 

“We’re thrilled to have Jackie rejoin the Pro Bono Australia team this year and bring her vast experience and knowledge of the social sector in Australia to help us reimagine our education program,” Mahlab said. 

“We’re looking forward to expanding upon what has already been a successful education program developed over many years. 

“By developing a content-led strategy Pro Bono Australia will take a much more agenda-setting role within the sector, driving conversations around emerging issues and bringing the sector up-to-speed with what’s happening at home in Australia but also abroad.”

The first event of Pro Bono Australia’s new 2021 education program will be launched next week. To be the first to hear of new topics and dates, sign up to our resources email here.