Dreams of the Future: Powerful Stories for Change

Anjali Sharma (she/her) is a climate justice advocate and changemaker. At just 16, she became the lead litigant in Sharma vs Environment Minister, a landmark class action arguing that the Australian government has a duty of care to protect young people from climate change. Although initially successful in 2021, the ruling was overturned on appeal. Undeterred, Anjali continues to campaign for this duty to be legislated in Federal Parliament. Passionate about climate justice, she amplifies the voices of young people and communities of colour, highlighting the disproportionate impacts of the climate crisis.

Ziggy Ramo is a rapper, producer, and truth-teller whose artistry disrupts the status quo. Of Wik and Solomon Islander heritage, his work is a powerful confrontation of settler colonialism and institutional racism in Australia. Drawing inspiration from artists like Kev Carmody and Lauryn Hill, alongside activists such as Charlie Perkins and Adam Goodes, Ziggy fuses music, storytelling and social commentary to challenge perspectives on race, masculinity and mental health.

Aretha Brown is an artist, screenwriter, and activist who made headlines with her powerful speeches at the 2017 and 2018 Invasion Day protests, later becoming the youngest and first female Prime Minister of the National Indigenous Youth Parliament. A confident speaker, she has appeared at major festivals, the Tate Modern, and University of the Arts, London. Her visual art has been exhibited at NGV and Melbourne University, while her satire and stand-up explore identity, activism, and Melbourne’s underground culture.

Megha Kapoor is a renowned editor, creative director and writer known for her timeless aesthetic and commitment to diverse storytelling. As the former editor of Vogue India, she expanded its global influence, championing creativity and redefining its visual language. Born in India and raised in New Zealand, she founded INPRINT, a multidisciplinary publishing platform, and previously worked at Vogue Australia. With a global perspective, Kapoor continues to amplify meaningful narratives that reflect the world’s evolving cultural landscape.

Sisonke Msimang is the author of two books: Always Another Country: a memoir of exile and home (2017) and The Resurrection of Winnie Mandela (2018). She also has written for a range of publications including The New York Times, Al Jazeera, The Guardian and Newsweek.

Torrey Peters is the author of the novel Detransition, Baby, which won the 2021 PEN/Hemingway award for debut fiction and was named a Best Book of the Century by the New York Times. Her second book, Stag Dance, has just been published this March.

Craig Foster AM, the 2023 NSW Australian of the Year, is a former Socceroo, broadcaster and human rights advocate. After captaining Crystal Palace FC and earning 29 caps for Australia, he became a respected SBS analyst and a leading voice for refugee rights, anti-racism and social justice. Foster has helped free political prisoners, aided Afghan women fleeing the Taliban and spearheaded the ‘Game Over’ campaign for refugee freedom, leveraging his platform to drive meaningful change through advocacy and law.