Events

After Copenhagen: Looking for real solutions

8 March 2010

James Hansen expressed his concern about the widening gap between scientific knowledge and public understanding of climate change to an audience of more than 500 at a Sydney Ideas lecture. The NASA scientist who is often called the Grandfather of Climate Change, was heavily critical of Obama’s cap and trade solution, advocating a fee and dividend policy in its place. Hansen warns that Australia must cut its coal exports or risk becoming a “drug dealer” for a world addicted to fossil fuels.

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Stripping bare the body

25 February 2010

Mark Danner is one of the world’s most experienced war reporters, and has covered trouble spots such as El Salvador, Haiti, Bosnia and most recently Iraq. In his new book Stripping Bare the Body: Politics, Violence, War, a collection of his writings, he develops a unique perspective on the use of violence in these conflicts and expands on Prussian Carl von Clautisz’ theory that ‘war is a continuation of politics by other means’. Fear is a lucrative political emotion, and politicians can use fear to achieve a great deal. The violence of war also exposes the limits of our beliefs, and strips away any facades to exposes the true power in society. In his search to answer questions about the morality of the USA’s involvement in the current war in Afghanistan, he examines the US’s involvement in conflicts in Haiti, the Balkans, Latin America and the Middle East.

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Reflections on street level bureaucracy

16 February 2010

Schooling, public safety, and a wide range of social welfare policies are implemented only when they are delivered by front-line workers in interactions with citizens. Because these “street-level bureaucrats” can and must carry out their work with a degree of autonomy, their responses to various work challenges are critical and often separate determinants of public policies as they are actually experienced. These public policies are critical to sustaining a prosperous and inclusive society, and are essential to public trust in government.

These propositions were originally developed by Michael Lipsky in his 1980 book, Street-Level Bureaucracy: Dilemmas of the Individual in Public Services. Now, on the 30th Anniversary of publication and in preparation for an expanded edition, Professor Lipsky will offer reflections on the uses of the concept of “street-level bureaucracy” over the intervening period, and on the ongoing issues presented by street-level bureaucrats for effective policy implementation.

Launch of the Dow Sustainability Program

15 February 2010

At an executive luncheon in Sydney the US Studies Centre launched a three‐year research program on sustainability. Chairman, CEO and President of The Dow Chemical Company, Andrew Liveris, announced US$2 million in support for the Dow Sustainability Program. Mr Liveris spoke about Dow's role in developing sustainable solutions as the global demand for energy, water and resources continues to grow. Watch the speech and see photos of the event here.

Political polarisation: Lessons from the United States

1 February 2010

David Brady, Professor of Political Science & Leadership Values and Deputy Director, Hoover Institution, Stanford University, took part in a Q & A seminar hosted by the Grattan Institute. His knowledge comes from a breadth of areas including public policy, women's movement and internet voting; making him well equipped to discuss political polarisation, and what Australia can learn from the United States.

Barack Obama: The man and his presidency so far

1 December 2009

The Centre for Continuing Education at the University of Sydney celebrated 25 years of educational excellence with a public lecture by Professor Fred Greenstein, notable US presidential historian and author, and Professor of Politics Emeritus at Princeton University.

By examining Barack Obama’s political skill, policy vision, cognitive style and emotional intelligence, and comparing these with other notable world leaders and presidents of the past, Greenstein examined the significance of Barack Obama’s leadership in the 21st century and what his global appeal means to Australia.

One year of Obama

18 November 2009

Geoffrey Garrett, CEO of the US Studies Centre, discussed President Barack Obama’s first year in office. Professor Garrett, one of Australia’s leading commentators on the US, analysed Obama’s domestic and foreign policies and their impact on Australia and the world.

One year of Obama: A discussion with James Fallows, Paul Kelly, Robert Hill and Geoffrey Garrett

2 November 2009

A year since the historic election of Barack Obama as US President, debate rages over whether and how Obama has brought ‘change' to the White House. From the war in Afghanistan to tackling climate change, no one denies that the actions and in-actions of the Obama administration have profoundly affected Australia and the rest of the world.

James Fallows, National Correspondent for the Atlantic Monthly, The Honourable Robert Hill, recently returned Australian Ambassador to the United Nations in New York and Paul Kelly, Editor-at-Large of The Australian, discussed One Year of Obama in a forum moderated by Professor Geoffrey Garrett, Chief Executive of the US Studies Centre.

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Obama: One year in the making

27 October 2009

November marked the first anniversary of the historic election of Barack Obama as US President. Debate rages over whether and how Obama has brought ‘‘change' to the White House. But no one denies that the actions and inactions of the Obama administration have profoundly affected Australia and the rest of the world. What has Obama accomplished so far, what challenges lie ahead, and what does it all mean for Australia?

Geoffrey Garrett, Chief Executive at the US Studies Centre, and Brendon O'Connor, Associate Professor in American Politics at the US Studies Centre discussed President Barack Obama's first year in office and provided further analysis on Barack Obama's leadership.

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Guantanamo redux: The Obama effect and its significance for David Hicks and Australia

20 October 2009

In this seminar, a panel of experts including Kate Eastman, Geoffrey Garrett and Katie Wood, reflected upon steps recently taken in the US Congress to amend the Military Commissions Act 2006 and prepare for the January 2010 deadline imposed by the Obama administration for closure of Guantanamo Bay. What exactly is likely to change as a result of this process? What parts of the Bush administration's legacy on counter-terrorism are likely to remain intact? What ramifications has the Obama administration's policy redirection had so far for Australia? What impact might the Obama administration yet have in influencing the course of global policy-making on counter-terrorism and the treatment of detainees? More specifically, what could be the effect of US legislative change on the life and legal status of David Hicks, an Australian citizen who continues to live under conditions imposed as a consequence of his conviction under the Military Commissions Act? These, among other questions, were discussed by the panel.