Wednesday 29 October, 2025
3.00pm-4.30pm AEDT
The Diplomacy Training Program (DTP) and the Australian National Contact Point (AusNCP) for the OECD Guidelines on Responsible Business Conduct (OECD Guidelines) are co-hosting a special series of webinars to build awareness of the OECD Guidelines and the work of NCPs.
This webinar will have a focus on the importance of the OECD Guidelines to ensuring that Australian companies respect the rights of Indigenous Peoples, and especially their right to FPIC – in Australia and internationally. It is well documented that extractive industries, in Australia and globally, are at particular risk of negatively impacting Indigenous peoples – their lands and livelihoods, including their sacred sites.
This webinar will build understanding of the corporate responsibility to exercise due diligence, and the role of the Guidelines and NCPs in respecting and promoting the rights of Indigenous Peoples.
NOTE: At least half an hour will be allocated for questions and answers, and comments. Through the webinar, and after, useful links will be shared.
John Southalan is a mediator, lawyer and academic based in Perth. He has been a (part-time) Independent Examiner with the AusNCP since 2019, responsible for the management and mediation of complaints filed with the AusNCP about multinational compliance with the OECD Guidelines.
Frederic Wilson is the Regional Program Officer for the human rights and advocacy program of DTP partner, Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP). Frederic’s advocacy springs from his own experience as a member of the Indigenous Dusun Putih Llivagu people of Sabah, Malaysia. He grew up amid widespread discrimination towards Indigenous Peoples (Orang Asli) in Malaysia. Frederic is also the Chairperson of the Asia Steering Group member of Zero Tolerance Initiative (ZTI), a global coalition of Indigenous Peoples empowering human rights defenders in Indigenous communities addressing businesses violating human rights.
Abbey Shillingford is a proud Ngarluma and Yindjibarndi woman from Western Australia. She is legal practitioner with over 10 years’ experience in Native Title, currently serving as Manager Heritage and Native Title at Genesis Minerals Limited. Abbey works to build respectful, mutually beneficial relationships between Traditional Owners and the resources sector. Abbey is an advocate for Indigenous self-determination and meaningful participation in decisions affecting Country, working to ensure that Traditional Owners have a strong voice in shaping the future of their lands, waters and communities, particularly in the context of resource development. She is also an alumna of the Diplomacy Training Program’s Human Rights Advocacy and Business Program and Indigenous Youth Program in Australia.
Serena Lillywhite is a leading international expert on the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. She is regularly invited to speak at high-level OECD and UN forums. Serena was recently awarded Member of the Order of Australia (AM) recognising her many years of service through NGOs such as the Brotherhood of St Laurence, Oxfam, OECD Watch and Transparency International, as well as her contribution to higher education at institutions.
