Whatever the outcome of the US presidential election, one thing is clear—the US is a nation in crisis. Escalating tensions with China, a global pandemic and fracturing race relations suggest we are witnessing a turning point in American history.
But what does all this mean for Australia and the rest of the world? What will the world’s biggest superpower look like after the election and what are the implications for Australia?
Join former Foreign Affairs Minister Bob Carr and Professor of Global Governance Mary Kaldor in conversation with a panel of leading young Australians to address these vital questions.
With a cross to prominent US political correspondent and best-selling author John Nichols.
This Zoom event is the public launch of Conversation at the Crossroads.
Keynote Address: The Hon Bob Carr
The Honourable Bob Carr is Industry Professor (Business and Climate Change) at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). Professor Carr works with the Institute for Sustainable Futures and the UTS School of Business, bringing his unique skills and experience to diverse portfolios, including business and industry, international relations and climate change research and policy. He is the longest-serving premier of NSW and a former foreign minister of Australia.
Keynote Address: Professor Mary Kaldor
Mary Kaldor is a Professor of Global Governance and Director of the Conflict and Civil Society Research Unit in the Department of International Development at the London School of Economics. Professor Kaldor also directs the unit’s largest research project, the Conflict Research Programme (CRP), an international DFID-funded partnership investigating public authority, through a theoretical lens of the political marketplace and the concept of civicness, across a range of countries in Africa and the Middle East.
Hosted by: Tasneem Chopra
A cross-cultural consultant, Tasneem Chopra addresses issues of diversity, equity and inclusion across organisational leadership in government, corporate and community sectors. Chopra is a Director for The Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI), The Crescent Institute, the South Asian Australian’s Researching Ideas (SAARI) and an advisor to InTouch Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence and the La Trobe University School of Humanities. In 2019 she was named Anti-Racism Champion by the Australian Human Rights Commission, and in 2020, she received the Order of Australia Medal.
Featuring: John Nichols
John Nichols writes for The Nation as its national-affairs correspondent. His pieces have been circulated internationally, quoted in numerous books, and mentioned in debates on the floor of Congress. Nichols is a frequent guest on radio and television programs as a commentator on politics and media issues. He is a best-selling author. Books include Horsemen of the Trumpocalypse: A Field Guide to the Most Dangerous People in America and The Genius of Impeachment. Of Nichols, Gore Vidal said “Of all the giant slayers now afoot in the great American desert, John Nichols’s sword is the sharpest.”
Feauturing: Joseph Camilleri
Joseph Camilleri is Emeritus Professor at La Trobe University, where he held the Chair in International Relations (1994-2012). He was founding Director of the Centre for Dialogue 2006-2012. He is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Social Sciences, and Managing Director of Alexandria Agenda, a new venture in ethical consulting He has authored or edited some thirty major books and written over 100 book chapters and journal articles. He writes on security, dialogue, conflict resolution, religion and culture, global governance, Australia and the Asia-Pacific region. He has convened several international dialogues and conferences, most recently Towards a Just and Ecologically Sustainable Peace (2019).
Featuring: Lisa Carson
Dr Lisa Carson is the voluntary coordinator of the Young Women’s International League for Peace & Freedom in Australia, part of a global organisation that was nominated for the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize. Her research and activism revolve around inequity and ways in which to bring about socially progressive change with a focus on foregrounding marginalised perspectives and better connecting theory, practice and advocacy. She is a Research Fellow at the University of New South Wales and holds a PhD, Masters, and Bachelor of Arts from the University of Melbourne along with First Class Honours from RMIT.
Featuring: Tim Lo Surdo
Tim Lo Surdo is the Founder and National Director of Democracy in Colour – Australia’s first racial and economic justice organisation led by people of colour. Deeply passionate about people-powered change, Tim has helped low-paid workers, set up Hospo Voice – a new union in hospitality. Previously, he headed Campaigns at Oaktree (largest youth-led anti-poverty organisation), served as senior adviser to two federal Senators, and was Campaigns Director at Jhatkaa (a movement of 1.9 million people taking action for a fairer India), and National Communications Director at UN Youth Australia.
Featuring: Gemimah and Miriam Omari (the Omari Sisters)
Gemimah and Miriam Omari (the Omari Sisters) are originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Omari Sisters and their brother were refugees for eight years in Malawi before coming to Australia. Hope, strength and endurance were the source and inspiration of their singing during their years in Malawi. Since then that experience has taken on new meaning. Their singing expresses their commitment to the dignity of all human life and the unity of the human family.