The Future is a Collective Project Worth Fighting For

Drinks with Eliza Chaney

Hosted by Professor Rachel Fensham

We are delighted to welcome Eliza Chaney, co-founder of Future Forward Australia, to Melbourne Forum. Eliza will lead a conversation that aims to inspire intergenerational dialogue about re-engaging young Australians in politics, economics, and civic life, emphasising that the future must be shaped collaboratively across generations. 

The key themes that Eliza will explore are:

1. The fragility of trust in institutions
2. Generational disconnect – challenges faced by young Australians
3. Why it matters: a shared stake in the future, weakening social fabric = need for intergenerational collaboration
4. The next generation compact – from frustration to participation
5. Hope and civic resilience

Eliza Chaney is an economist, youth advocate, and consultant, currently completing a Master of International Business at the University of Melbourne, specialising in global strategy. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, International Relations, and Economics from the University of Western Australia.

Her experience spans research in labour economics, strategy roles with political leaders and campaigns, and management consulting across climate, engineering, and resources. She currently works as an economist with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, specialising in the energy transition.

In 2024, she represented Australia at the UNFCCC COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan as a Global Voices Fellow.

In 2025, Eliza co-founded Future Forward Australia, a youth-led collective driving engagement and collaboration for a better future for our country.

Eliza believes in the power of a shared intergenerational belief that the future is a collective project worth fighting for.

Please join Eliza, an inspiring young leader, to learn more about how we can help bridge the generational divides to build a better Australia.