CONFERENCES & PRESENTATIONS
Kay Danes is an active and dedicated member of multiple organisations committed to providing a diverse array of services aimed at supporting and empowering communities. Her involvement spans across various initiatives, encompassing both local efforts within Australia and far-reaching international programs. These organisations focus on delivering essential support, resources, and assistance to individuals and groups in need, addressing a wide spectrum of social, economic, and humanitarian challenges. Through her participation in these organisations, Kay contributes to fostering positive change and improving the quality of life for people in different parts of the world, demonstrating a strong commitment to global citizenship and community development.
POLITICAL FORUMS
US Congressional Forums on Laos conducted in Washington DC, USA have, over the years, brought together policy experts, diplomats, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), human rights and environmental groups, community leaders, business leaders, Members of the U.S. Congress, political and religious dissidents and others to discuss issues of concern regarding the nation of Laos and the region.
US Congressional Forum and National Press Club: April 06-10, 2009. Centre for Public Policy Analysis. Presentation by Kay Danes on human rights violations and political prisoners in Laos. (Download)
US Congressional Forum: Record Volume 148, Number 139 (October 24, 2002), the Hon. Patrick Kennedy, Page E1958. Included: Amnesty International, US Congressman Frank Wolf, US Congressman Patrick Kennedy, Philip Smith, Director of the US Centre for Public Policy Analysis, 200 Lao Community members. (Download)
US Congressional Forum: Dr Kay Danes presentation on Laos. Also presenting: US House of Representatives, Congressmen, Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA), Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), Rep. George Radanovich (R-CA), Rep. Mark Green (R-WI) and Rep. Dam Smith (D-WA) Washington, DC (US). Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 139 (Thursday, October 24, 2002).
US National Press Club: Keynote Speaker Dr Kay Danes to the US National Press Club, Washington (US) “Hmong Human Rights Issues.’ (2009) (Download)
Senate Committee Hearing: Testimony of Dr Kay Danes to the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee, 11 October 2021, Canberra. (Download)
NSW Leadership Conference: Keynote speaker Dr Kay Danes to the 6th Annual Inspiring Change Conference: PASSION PURPOSE PEOPLE- "Women Without Borders", Community Migrant Resource Centre, Parramatta, NSW. (Link)
Queensland Women's Week: Keynote speaker Dr Kay Danes (and panelist with QLD Attorney-General Hon Yvette D'Ath and QLD Shadow Child Safety Minister Hon Ros Bates, MP.) Queensland Women’s Week, ‘Super Women Conference’, March, Brisbane, QLD.
UNIVERSITY
Lecturer:
Peace and Conflict Studies
Human Rights
Law & Justice
Southern Cross University: Panellist. Southern Cross University 8th Annual Praxis (October 2021)
Southern Cross University: Panellist. Southern Cross University. ‘Women, War and Peace’ workshop hosted by the School of Law and Justice, Gold Coast Campus.
Southern Cross University Conference: Postgraduate Association, PhD Candidate Presentation: ‘Long-term Local and International Strategies for the Protection of Humanitarian Workers in Global Conflict Zones,’ 16-17 June 2016, Coffs Harbour.
Southern Cross University Conference: Panelist & Presenter. Southern Cross University's public seminar. ‘Re-charging your advocacy battery: Making use of the Media in Advocacy & Lobbying,’ 28 July, Gold Coast with Prof. Hughes.
Nangarhar University: Keynote presenter Dr Kay Danes to the Healthy Communities Conference (Mental Health). Herat University (aid work), Afghanistan.
(Video of Mission Part 1) and (Video of Mission Part 2)
Bond University: Presenter and Panellist Dr Kay Danes, to the Bond University Women’s Network, ‘International Women’s Day Reception’, March, Gold Coast.
University of Colorado: Multi-panelist Dr Kay Danes to the 61st Conference on World Affairs Boulder, University of Colorado, Colorado, Boulder (US). Sessions:
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The Purpose of the Universe Is to Create God;
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Trial by Media;
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Slavery Is Not Dead;
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Genocide: Beyond Outrage;
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PTSD: You Forgot, I Can't;
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The Basic Incompatibility Between Religion and Science;
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The Truth About Torture;
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Activating the Activist; and
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Holiday in Hell, or the Accidental Smuggler: The Case of Schapelle Corby.
PRIVATE ORGANISATIONS & NON PROFITS
Dr Kay Danes is an active peace practitioner and serves the international community through service projects that fight disease, provide clean water and sanitation, improve the health of mothers and children, support education, and growing local economies directly to build the optimal conditions for peaceful societies.
Rotary District 7690 Conference 2024: Keynote speaker Dr Kay Danes presenting 'Hostage to Humanitarian'. (April 2024 New Bern, NC, USA). (Presentation starts at the 41 min mark)
Rotary District Conference: Dr Kay Danes presentation to Rotary District 7690, International Zoom Room (Online). 'Building a Safe and Successful Online Environment for Rotary Service.’ 28 June 2020.
Rotary Conference: Invited Presenter Dr Kay Danes presents: ‘Hostage to humanitarian’, Rotary Conference Goondiwindi, Queensland, Australia.
Rotaract Conference: Keynote speaker Dr Kay Danes to the Australian Annual Rotaract Conference. October 2021. Brisbane, QLD.
Alliance of Celebrants Qld Inc. Annual Conference: Keynote speaker Dr Kay Danes presentation: ‘Henna to Honeymoon’- an exploration of marriage practices in Middle Eastern Culture. Event funded by Australian Attorney General's department.
Gold Coast Business Conference: Invited Presenter Dr Kay Danes: ‘Women World Changers’, Women in Business: Women World Changers, Gold Coast, 4 February.
Quota International: Invited Presenter Dr Kay Danes: ‘Global Experiences: Working in Conflict Zones’, Quota International, Jimboomba, Australia (2015).
Australian Women Leadership Symposium (2014): Invited Presenter Dr Kay Danes speaks about ‘Women who Dare in Human Rights’, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Brisbane Writer's Festival: Invited Guest Author. Session Villains or Heroes. State Library of Queensland. with Nigel Brennan, 10 September.
IMPACT, Gold Coast Youth Summit (Education/Leadership), Mar 17, 2023 (Australia). Enhancing the capacity of young people of all cultures, identities and abilities to build resilience and be inspired to transform their future.
RDA Gold Coast
Our Director Estella Rodighiero was honoured to meet Dr Kay Danes, OAM at the Early Risers Gold Coast Women in Business Club's International Women's Day breakfast this morning.
Dr Danes (left) is a human rights law advocate with GAP Veteran & Legal Services (Australia), and is one of our incredible Impact Gold Coast Youth Summit speakers!
Her work is primarily focused on human rights advocacy and humanitarian response, operating in armed conflict, disasters and other complex emergencies. When Afghanistan fell to the control of the Taliban in August 2021, Kay assisted thousands of Afghans and other foreign nationals physically escaping persecution. She successfully coordinated the lawful evacuation of over 3500 Afghans to Australia. Kay is currently providing risk-mitigation services to at-risk individuals and groups dealing with the Ukraine crisis.
Kay is also a former hostage and has a compelling, personal story of ‘moving forward’ from hostage to humanitarian. She endured torture and adversity and her experiences have been incorporated into an in-house training program (Hostage—Survive with Dignity), designed for Australian Defence Force personnel deploying to armed conflict.
Kay has addressed several U.S. Congressional forums on democracy, the US National Press Club, and the Conference on World Affairs with an audience of 91,000!
LITERARY FORUMS & WORKSHOPS
Dr. Kay Danes has been an active participant in a variety of writers' workshops throughout her career. These enriching experiences have been organised by diverse entities, including local councils seeking to foster community engagement in literature, schools aiming to inspire young writers, and prestigious writers' festivals that attract literary enthusiasts from around the country. Through these workshops, Dr. Danes has not only shared her expertise but also continually honed her craft, engaging with fellow writers and aspiring authors in collaborative and inspiring environments.
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Borderline Australia Youth Mental Health (Annual Event)
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Mental Health First Aid (Philippines)
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Gold Coast Writer's Association
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Brisbane Writer's Festival
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Somerset Literary Festival
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Redland City Council Literary Workshops
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University Conferences
MENTORING AUTHORS
Dr. Kay Danes has established herself as a valuable asset in the literary world, having successfully assisted numerous authors in securing highly profitable publishing contracts with prominent publishing houses. Her expertise and connections have proven instrumental in helping writers navigate the complex landscape of the publishing industry. Moreover, Dr. Danes' influence extends beyond traditional publishing, as several of her clients have gone on to achieve remarkable success in the entertainment industry, securing coveted movie and television adaptation deals for their literary works. This dual achievement not only enhances the authors' visibility but also significantly increases their potential for financial success and broader audience reach.
