Threads of Change with Atena Kashani

River Nile School and City of Melbourne are collaborating to deliver the next instalment of Threads of Change - a quarterly event series bringing together community members, educators, service providers, artists and advocates to explore how we work, walk and learn alongside refugee and migrant communities.

Our second event will continue the important conversations started during Refugee Week, amplifying the voices of women from refugee backgrounds, and featuring guest speaker Atena from the Refugee Council of Australia, as well as a youth-led panel facilitated by River Nile School students.

Through storytelling, reflection and conversation, the evening will explore themes of belonging and identity, representation and power, courage and responsibility, and the importance of listening, learning and unlearning. Atena will draw on her lived experience and advocacy work to unpack the ways systems, narratives and communities shape people’s sense of inclusion, voice and possibility.

The event will also centre the voices of young people from River Nile School through a student-led panel exploring community, culture and identity; navigating education and systems; aspirations for the future; and the strengths, leadership and contributions young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds bring to their communities.

Designed to spark dialogue, deepen connection and challenge dominant narratives, Threads of Change invites participants to reflect on their own perspectives and practices while building stronger, more inclusive communities together.

The evening will also include shared food and connection with community - celebrating culture, story and belonging through refugee- and migrant-owned catering businesses and local organisations.

Join us to listen deeply, connect meaningfully, and be part of conversations that move us toward more equitable, human-centred and community-led futures.

About Atena

Atena is a passionate advocate, speaker and ambassador with the Refugee Council of Australia who uses storytelling and lived experience to challenge stereotypes, advocate for refugee rights and create spaces for deeper understanding and connection.

Her work focuses on identity, belonging, representation and social change, with a strong commitment to amplifying the voices and experiences of people from refugee backgrounds. Through speaking engagements, advocacy and community work, Atena encourages individuals and organisations to reflect critically on systems, assumptions and the role we all play in creating more inclusive communities.

At the centre of her work is the belief that stories have the power to shift perspectives, build empathy and inspire meaningful change.

📝Event Schedule:

4:30PM-5:15PM

Arrival & Registration

• Guests arrive and sign in

• Light Refreshments & networking

• Watch extracts from interviews with River Nile School students and broader community about their million stories of past, present and future

5:15PM-5:30PM

Welcome, Acknowledgement of Country, Housekeeping, Context, Housekeeping

• Welcome by River Nile School

• Acknowledgement of Country by [RNS student leader]

• Housekeeping

• Context and introductions

5:30PM-6:00PM

River Nile School Youth Panel

• Join 3 amazing young people from River Nile School for an insightful youth panel, exploring topics of community, culture and identity; navigating education and systems; aspirations for the future; and the strengths, leadership and contributions young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds bring to their communities.

6:00PM-7:00PM

Atena Kashani talk on refugee experiences

• Join this powerful conversation as Atena Kashani draws on her lived experience and advocacy work to unpack the ways systems, narratives and communities shape people’s sense of inclusion, voice and possibility.

7:00PM-8:00PM

Food, Drinks & Connection

• Food and Drinks will be made available to purchase from a refugee/migrant owned-business

• Opportunities to connect with local youth/community organisations

• Invitation to continue the conversation beyond the event and form connections with community

8:00PM

Closing Reflections and Event Finish

• Final reflections and event closing

Learn more about River Nile School here - River Nile School

Learn more about the City of Melbourne here - City of Melbourne

Learn more about Atena Kashani here - Atena Kashani