On 14-16 September 2005, more than 170 heads of state and government will gather at the United Nations in New York for the 2005 World Summit. Leaders will review progress made since the UN Millennium Declaration adopted by all member states in 2000.

The agenda will be based on the UN Secretary-General's report In Larger Freedom which focuses on strengthening the three central pillars of the United Nations: development; security, and human rights. The report contains a number of proposals for reforming elements of the UN's human rights machinery, including replacing the Commission on Human Rights with a Human Rights Council.

It is in this context that the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade decided to convene a public hearing, to discuss the current human rights reform agenda and to hear the views for and against the establishment of a Human Rights Council. The Committee invited a broad range of witnesses from the Australian community to participate in its roundtable discussions. Participants included UN representatives, non government organisations, and human rights and legal experts, from Canberra and inter-state.