Suraya Pakzad's speaking tour

Melbourne - Adelaide - Sydney - Perth

Catalyst Australia with Voice of Women (Australia) and Amnesty International are pleased to support a speaking tour of Afghan human rights activist Suraya Pakzad.  Suraya is the founder of Voice of Women.  From a humble start with one small classroom in Suraya’s home, VWO grew into a network of underground girls schools across Kabul which ran until the Taliban government fell in 2001 and girls could be finally educated in public.

Suraya is known both within and outside Afghanistan for her commitment to protecting the nation’s women.  She has received numerous international awards, including the Women of Courage 2008 Award and was recognised last year as one of the world’s 100 top influential people by Time Magazine.  In September she will receive yet another prestigious award - the Global Citizen Award from Bill Clinton.

Money and Power Conference Resources

Thanks to all those who attended the Money and Power conference held on Friday 6th August in Sydney. The conference covered a number of hot topics including The Australian Government's response to the GFC, the Australian banking system, the mining tax and resources sector, political donations and the corporate workplace.

Catalyst wanted to test community attitudes about the rise of unchecked corporate influence. A poll conducted by the Australia Institute produced some alarming results, and suggests that corporate Australia has more than an image problem. 

Responses to this survey showed high levels of public distrust in corporate behaviour, and concerns about the level of influence big business exerts over our political system.  One of the strongest areas of public agreement was to the statement that workers need protection from bosses who do the wrong thing.