Kay Danes has become one of Australia's leading advocates for human rights and social justice. She has worked in some of the most challenging environments across the Middle-east, Africa and Asia as a researcher and humanitarian. Her contributions to bridging impoverished communities are recognised by Australian and Foreign officials. Her humanitarian aid work in Afghanistan was an integral part of a national debate on Australia's commitment in Afghanistan. In 2014, Kay Danes was awarded the prestigious Medal of the Order of Australia (2014) for her social justice and human rights work world-wide. The honour of the award is the principal and most prestigious means of recognizing outstanding citizens in Australia. Her Majesty Elizabeth II, Queen of the United Kingdom, established the OAM.Kay is a highly sought after speaker on the International circuit, having addressed several US Congressional forums on Democracy, the US National Press Club and the Conference on World Affairs. She was the key note speaker to the Australian Women and Leadership Symposium (2014), Australia's most prestigious women's leadership event, drawing together Australian women from aspiring leaders to the highest office holders. She has also provided consultation to the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties and the Secretary to the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture. As a former political prisoner and torture survivor, Kay uses her insights to raise awareness for the victims of extra-judicial abduction, forced disappearance and torture. Her campaigning over decades resulted in her being appointed (9 July 2014) as an Envoy Extraordinary to Australia of the Association of Envoys Extraordinary of the Royal Lao Government in Exile Worldwide. Appointments within the Association are given only to those who have performed meritorious service of an exceptional level for the Royal Lao Government in Exile and the Lao people. (http://www.aeerlge.org)In 2013, Kay was named a finalist for the Pride of Australia Medal, recognising extraordinary and inspiring Australians.In 2012, Kay was named by the Australia Day Council as a finalist in the Australian of the Year Awards for outstanding service to community. Each year Australia celebrates the achievement and contribution of eminent Australians through the Australian of the Year Awards by profiling leading citizens who are role models who inspire others through their achievements to creating a better Australia.In 2011, Kay was inducted by Rotary International as a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow for providing tangible and significant assistance for the furtherance of better understanding and friendly relations among people's of the world.Kay is also the bestselling author of these highly acclaimed books: Families Behind Bars -- Stories of Injustice, Endurance and Hope' (2008 & second edition 2011), Standing Ground -- an Imprisoned Couple's Struggle for Justice Against a Communist Regime (2009).