Guide for Hosts

The Australian Festival of Democracy and Human Rights (June 1 to 8) invites groups of community members, students, scholars and advocates to consider hosting an event as part of the festival! (as well as individually attending our conference - learn more and RSVP here).

Around the world, norms and institutions that promote democracy and human rights are weakening.  They are challenged by discontent with cost of living, with longstanding and urgent environmental and social crises, and by ambitious and populist voices that do not respect restraint and social cohesion. 

From June 1 to 8, 2025, Australians celebrate the strengths and resilience of democracy and human rights systems, call out flaws, and workshop solutions.

USING THE FESTIVAL TO GROW OUR MOVEMENTS LOCALLY

The festival aims to make groups working for democracy and human rights more visible to each other and to communities, and to draw new voices into conversation about strengthening democracy and human rights in Australia and elsewhere.
 
TIMELINE

• Now: Plan an online or in-person event on a date any time between June 1 to 8. See the existing calendar to try and avoid clashes (but overlapping times are ok if that's what suits your team locally).
• As soon as energy permits: Create an event registration page online, so that people can find out more information and sign up to attend.
  
• List your event as a part of the Festival of Democracy and Human Rights by emailing [email protected] a title, date, and link to your registration page.
• Promote your event and invite and involve folks in your community
  
• 1-8 June: Host your event!
• Mid June: Report back to attendees and to festival organisers how the event went. If you have a recording, even better – we can help get this out to more people.
  

 
PROMOTION

• If you don’t have your own website, organisations like Humantix offer a way to manage event registrations and an event landing page
• Be sure to highlight that your event is a part of the Australian Festival of Democracy and Human Rights, and please use these designs in your event promotion: Black text square, white text square, banner.
• Start with why your group is doing this and why it matters.
• Include details for the event (When, Where, What, For Who, Cost) and ideally a contact person to call if people have questions. Include a way for people to sign up and what you plan to do with their information once you have it (example: you may be contacted by the event organisers for the purpose of running this event).
• Consider promoting the event on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and other social media.
• The day before the event send a reminder email or SMS.

 
ON THE DAY

• Keep an eye out for new people on the day, and help them meet others and connect
• Take lots of pictures, including a group pic!
• Post pics and anecdotes on social media with the hashtag #afdhr2025
• Celebrate afterwards!

 
AFTER THE EVENT

• Send through any photos or recordings to the Festival organisers if you would like the content included in shared Festival communications.
• Follow up with your attendees, including any summary of what your event discussed, ways people can get involved and take action and how they can get more information on the topic.

RESOURCES

• Logos for your promotional material: AFDHR black text square, AFDHR white text square, and AFDHR banner.