Arab Council Australia, in partnership with OurDNA, hosted a special social dinner and information evening on Thursday, 26 March 2026, at Al Aseel Restaurant, located within The Paper Mill precinct.
The event brought together a select group of community representatives and leaders for an engaging evening focused on the future of inclusive health and medical research in Australia. The gathering formed part of ongoing community engagement efforts aimed at ensuring diverse voices are represented in national research initiatives.
During the evening, Hassan Moussa, CEO of Arab Council Australia, spoke about the organisation’s engagement with OurDNA and its efforts to introduce the program to diverse Arabic-speaking communities. He then welcomed Dr Chris Richards, who delivered an informative presentation outlining the vision and objectives of the OurDNA initiative.
The presentation was followed by an open and engaging discussion, where attendees had the opportunity to ask questions, share their perspectives, and contribute ideas to help shape the program’s direction. Members of the OurDNA team were also present, engaging directly with participants and addressing community concerns.
OurDNA is a flagship initiative of the Centre for Population Genomics, a joint venture between the Garvan Institute of Medical Research in Sydney and the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute in Melbourne. The program aims to address the underrepresentation of multicultural communities in genetic databases—an issue that can impact the accuracy of diagnoses, treatments, and medical research outcomes.
By working closely with community organisations such as Arab Council Australia, the initiative seeks to ensure that cultural perspectives, values, and preferences are meaningfully integrated into its processes.
The evening was marked by a spirit of collaboration and dialogue, highlighting the importance of community involvement in building a more equitable and representative healthcare system for all Australians.
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