Conversations at the Crossroads
Conversations at the Crossroads is an independent Australian civic network focused on democratic renewal through thoughtful, informed conversation. Founded around 2020 by Professor Joseph Camilleri (Professor Emeritus, La Trobe University) and colleagues, the network runs public events, citizens assemblies, educational series, and podcasts aimed at connecting progressive social movements and scaling deliberative participation.
Their stated mission is to "bring people back together, to be inspired and energised, and to learn from each other" — equipping people to become drivers of change in their communities. They operate nationally and internationally.
Their major 2026 initiative, Reclaiming Democracy Together, launched on 9 May at Melbourne Town Hall (the 125th anniversary of Australia's Parliament opening) with around 2,000 participants. It is conceived as a seven-year program structured around three pillars: education for democracy, connecting social movements, and scaling large-scale public deliberation.
They also ran an online Citizens Assembly on nuclear energy using a deliberative method developed at Stanford University.
Links
- Website: crossroadsconversation.com.au