Deborah Williams, CEO of the UK’s The Creative Diversity Network (CDN), will be the special guest speaker of the SDIN at next week’s SCREEN FOREVER conference in Melbourne.
SDIN – the Screen Diversity and Inclusion Network – includes many of Australia’s leading media organisations as well as screen agencies and is committed to improving the diversity of talent and influences that shape Australian screen content. SCREEN FOREVER will be a key moment for members to set the direction for the Network in 2018 and beyond.
Deborah Williams will share insights on how to address the crucial issues of underrepresentation in screen practice, and how to access a greater range of talent, ideas and audiences. Her organisation, CDN, is funded by the UK’s major broadcasters and brings together organisations across the UK television industry to promote, celebrate and share good practice around the diversity agenda. As CEO, Deborah is responsible for the strategic direction of CDN, delivering all aspects of the organisation’s activities, including the ground-breaking Diamond diversity monitoring programme, diversity talent databases, online resources and the CDN awards.
Prior to joining CDN, Deborah was Diversity Manager at the British Film Institute (BFI), where she opened and managed a £1m lottery fund for diversity, designed the BFI diversity standards for film and contributed to the BFI business plan and strategy.
SDIN Chair and AFTRS’ CEO, Neil Peplow said “We are thrilled to draw on the deep work and new practices around inclusion and creative practice that the Creative Diversity Network have been developing and look for applications to the Australian screen sector. Our broadcasters, funding agencies and key bodies have signed up to an important Charter to improve diversity in the sector and we are hugely energised to set a course for action for the industry.”
Following a strategy breakfast with SDIN members on Thursday November 16, Ms Williams will also speak at the SCREEN FOREVER conference session, Conscious Competence: Good Practice in Inclusive Screen Work, on how to practically apply inclusivity in screen productions. The aim is to ensure underrepresented groups are part of the creative mix. These conversations will outline why good practice around diversity is important for the sustainability of the industry.