Australian Arbitration Week Wellbeing Program

Talk, Walk and Run for Wellbeing

In an effort to promote the importance of wellbeing amongst the arbitration community, ACICA is pleased to introduce the AAW Wellbeing Program – Talk, Walk and Run for Wellbeing. For the first time, AAW participants will have the opportunity to join social events which encourage outdoor physical activity and a substantive session aimed at normalizing the conversation around mental health in our field.

According to the IBA Report on Mental Wellbeing in the Legal Profession (published in October 2021), one in three members of the legal profession say their work has a negative, or extremely negative, impact on their wellbeing. This is a startling statistic that has prompted discussion at ACICA about how we can support wellbeing initiatives in our community.

During AAW, there will be a walk and a run led by members of the arbitration community including representatives from ACICA before the substantive sessions begin on Tuesday, 10 October and Thursday, 12 October. This will provide those who join with an opportunity to take in Perth’s incredible riverfront including the parklands that line the river. We understand that not everyone networks and creates connections in the same way. These events aim to create a setting to converse with colleagues in a less formal environment while enjoying one of the great benefits of life in Australia – the beautiful outdoors.

In an effort to raise awareness of how wellbeing can be impacted by our work, we have organised a substantive session on Tuesday 10 October to explore and champion the latest developments, research and best practice initiatives in the area of mental health for the legal profession. By discussing these issues openly, we aim to raise greater awareness of the mental health challenges our profession faces.

We hope you will join us in creating space for wellbeing at this year’s AAW.

View the Program Outline via this link and sign up for the Talk and the Walks & Runs below or through the AAW Calendar of Events.

Walk & Run for Wellbeing

Date: Tuesday, 10 October 2023
Time: 6:30am AWST
Meeting Point: Bell Tower, Elizabeth Quay

Run led by Matthew Lee (Principal, Burford Capital) and Daisy Mallett (Independent Arbitrator & Legal Consultant)
Distance approximately 5km, duration approximately 40 minutes*
Walk led by Deborah Tomkinson (ACICA Secretary-General) and Judith Levine (ACICA Vice President & Independent Arbitrator)
Duration approximately 40 minutes*

Date: Thursday, 12 October 2023
Time: 6:30am AWST
Meeting point: Bell Tower, Elizabeth Quay

Run led by Amanda Murphy (Principal, Sustainability and ESG Legal, BHP) and Michael Robbins (Special Counsel, DLA Piper)
Distance approximately 5km, duration approximately 40 minutes*
Walk led by Georgia Quick (ACICA President & Partner, Ashurst) and Erika Williams (ACICA Counsel & Independent Practitioner)
Duration approximately 40 minutes*

*ACICA shall not be deemed responsible or liable for any injury, illness or death arising out of, or in any way directly or indirectly, connected with the wellbeing walks and runs taking place during AAW. Those who participate acknowledge they are participating voluntarily, and understand that exercise can be a potentially hazardous activity.

Talk for Wellbeing – ACICA webinar

Speaking of Balance: Wellbeing in International Arbitration

Date: Tuesday, 10 October 2023
Time: 4pm – 5pm AWST
VIRTUAL ONLY
Speakers:

Amanda Lee, International Arbitrator, Consultant at Costigan King and Founder of ARBalance
Desi Vlahos, Commissioner on the IBA Professional Wellbeing Commission & Senior Lecturer at the Australian College of Applied Professions
Professor Samuel Harvey, Executive Director and Chief Scientist, Black Dog Institute

Moderated by: Deborah Tomkinson, ACICA Secretary-General