Posted on November 20, 2017
ADAO applauds the Australian Government for recognizing the dangers of asbestos and establishing the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency (ASEA) in 2013. As a leader in asbestos and awareness in Australia and around the world, ASEA combines education and advocacy to promote asbestos awareness and management throughout the country.
This year, ADAO is honored and excited to present at ASEA’s 4th International Asbestos Awareness and Management Conference on November 26-28, 2017 in Canberra. I am so grateful to the Australian government for inviting me to be a part of this landmark event for a fourth year. Unfortunately, this time around I won’t be able to make it to Australia in person, but thanks to technology I look forward to participating via Skype.
According to ASEA, “this year’s summit will be different from previous international conferences, with major focus on debate for Australia’s next national strategic plan. The summit will bring together well renowned local and international experts in asbestos management, health, advocacy and governance to look at what is best practice in managing the legacy issues and dangers of asbestos in our community over the coming years.”
This 3-day conference funded by the Australian government, moderated by Australian Broadcasting Corporation Senior Journalist Matt Peacock, brings together some of the biggest players in the global fight to ban asbestos. The program features nearly 30 distinguished speakers representing Australia, the U.S., and the Netherlands. Australia Senator Michaelia Cash will give a ministerial address, and keynote speeches will come from the World Health Organization (WHO) and Nienke Smith, from the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment. On Monday, I’ll participate in a panel discussion titled “Proactivity: national and international programs,” along with Sari Sairanen, Director, Health Safety and Environment at Unifor and Dianne Foggo of the Victorian Asbestos Eradication Agency.
Australia’s exemplary proactive measures, including a full asbestos ban and continued emphasis on education and prevention, should be followed by our international community. We hope other governments will follow Australia’s lead in increasing national asbestos awareness efforts and that the USA will soon recognize the need to ban asbestos to protect public health and our environment.
I look forward to the opportunity to participate in this spectacular conference and strengthen international alliances for a world free of asbestos. Watch for ASEA conference updates and videos in the near future.
In unity,
Linda