Eunice Odongo is a child rights lawyer with a particular interest in child justice, child protection and migration. She's a graduate of Leiden University Law School, holding an Advanced Master in International Children's Rights. She is a skilled prosecutor, currently working at a Children's Court, hence regularly interacts with children in conflict and in contact with the law. She is a strong believer that the child's involvement in matters affecting them is paramount. Hence, every action and decision must be made WITH them.

Committed to and has a wealth of expertise in Child Protection, Safeguarding, Government Investigation, Investigative Interviewing and Institutional Child Safety Risk Assessment.

A specialist in Child Protection, Safeguarding Practice and Professional Practice Crisis Intervention, Jeanie has worked and volunteered across the not for profit and statutory sectors nationally and internationally for 13 years.

Emma is devoted to empowering children and families. She aims to be a safe holding space for children as they heal, grow and develop. Through the use of the therapeutic relationship Emma supports children and families to gain deeper insight into behaviours, emotions and attachment and so improve the mental health and wellbeing of children. Emma has worked in Education as an Early Childhood and Primary Teacher, Director and Adult Educator for the past 15 years. Emma has a Masters of Social Work and obtained Advanced Clinical Training in Child Centered Play Therapy and Interplay Family Therapy through Play Therapy Australia and runs her own Private Practice.

James McDougall is one of Australia’s most experienced child rights experts with experience and knowledge in youth justice, child protection, children’s and youth services, family violence and child safety. His broad experience has enabled him to build knowledge and expertise in systems mapping, planning and governance. He has played a key role in the establishment and ongoing achievements of the Australian Child Rights Taskforce, a key coordinating and reporting coalition for child rights reporting and advocacy in Australia.

Donna is the founder of Interplay and is a qualified social worker, play therapist, and play therapy clinical supervisor who has worked with children and families for over 25 years. Donna delivers training across Australia and Asia and is an inspirational presenter. She has been working with children in a variety of government and private settings, working therapeutically with families in her private clinic and non-profit organisation, Play Therapy Advantage.

South-African born Dee McLachlan is a film director, journalist and humanitarian. She is most known for her sex-trafficking thriller, The Jammed and has worked and lived in Africa, the Americas, the UK and now Australia. She founded the news site GumshoeNews(.com) in 2013, and has been actively involved in, and reporting on combatting corruption in child protection.

Rita is a graduate of the University of Sydney holding undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications in law, science, psychology and education. Her academic awards include the 'Jones Memorial University Medal' for most outstanding academic and professional record. She has worked as a lawyer, advocate, policy adviser, researcher, academic and consultant in a range of settings including in academe, government and in non-governmental organisations.

Eugenia Patru is a board certified and licensed social work expert witness whose practice is located in the Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA area. Ms. Patru was trained at the University of Michigan and the Center for Forensic Psychiatry in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Her expert witness testimony was qualified regularly on a national basis since 1978 in matters such as mental condition and child maltreatment.

She began her working life as a nurse then spent several years in the police force. For the last 30 years she has worked as a Speech Pathologist and been a registered foster carer for 20 years. Having raised a foster child from the age of 2 to adulthood, Jill is passionate about the welfare of children at risk and has grave concerns about our child protection system.

Diana is the Director of Good Prospects Speech Pathology and Psychology in South Australia as well as being the Speech Pathology Branch rep for Advocacy and Influencing. Diana was involved in the formation of the Disability Justice Plan for South Australia in 2016 and has ore recently consulted with the South Australian Law Reform Institute (SALRI) into their report on the need for an Intermediary Service for people with Complex Communication needs in the SA Justice system.

Associate Professor Elspeth McInnes AM BA Hons1 PhD of Education Futures Unit, University of South Australia is a researcher of sociology in education with applied interests in early childhood and education contexts regarding trauma informed practice, developing wellbeing cultures, culturally responsive and inclusive approaches to care and education, child protection and supporting family safety, social policy and family wellbeing.