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A dialogue with Thomas Friedman on the world today
2 August 2011
Three-time Pulitzer Prize recipient for The New York Times and one of the world's most well-known and influential journalists discussed the trends that are shaping our world today at the Sydney Opera House. Thomas Friedman is the author of several best-selling books including The World Is Flat, which has sold more than four million copies in thirty-seven languages.
A conversation with Thomas Friedman
29 July 2011
In partnership with the US Studies Centre and the Sydney Opera House, The Wheeler Centre hosted three-time Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and acclaimed author Thomas Friedman at the Melbourne Town Hall. A long-standing and influential commentator on the Middle East and global affairs, the best-selling author discussed the trends that will shape the future. He was joined by veteran journalist turned politician Maxine McKew.
Fault-lines in Immigration Policy: The Harvard-Sydney Immigration Summit 2011
22 July 2011
This conference was part of a longer meeting for a range of international scholars, to develop the first large database of immigration and naturalisation policies, the International Migration Policy and Law Analysis Database (IMPALA).
This event was designed to share more broadly the benefits of bringing these experts to Australia. It showcased the recent work or thinking of a range of international scholars, discussing three key areas of immigration policy: skilled migration (and the balance with family migration); refugees and humanitarian flows; and integration, settlement and citizenship.
Resilience: Can our environment keep bouncing back?
8 July 2011
The Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources at the University of Sydney hosted an important symposium on the future of world environmental and economic systems. Over the next 25 years, the global community will need to balance its increasing demand on natural resources, while managing environmental sustainability. Understanding the links between resilience and the stability of social, financial and ecological systems will be of universal importance. In particular, the resilience of managed systems, such as those used for food production, are of crucial importance to issues of food, water and energy security.
Conflict between climate, energy and water policies: lessons from the United States (Melbourne)
2 June 2011
A public lecture by Michael Webber from the University of Texas, Austin. He introduced the climate, energy and water nexus with particular reference to the situation in Texas, a jurisdiction of similar dimensions to Australia and with similar climate, energy and water challenges. He outlined the limits to new fossil, nuclear and renewable energy generation due to water scarcity, and the energy demand implications of supplementing water supplies. A. Prof. Webber concluded by outlining examples of potential knowledge, technological and regulatory solutions to the climate, energy and water nexus from Texas and the United States more broadly, and gave his thoughts on priority policy measures.
Conflict between climate, energy and water policies: lessons from the United States (Canberra)
31 May 2011
A public lecture by Michael Webber from the University of Texas, Austin. He introduced the climate, energy and water nexus with particular reference to the situation in Texas, a jurisdiction of similar dimensions to Australia and with similar climate, energy and water challenges. Webber outlined the limits to new fossil, nuclear and renewable energy generation due to water scarcity, and the energy demand implications of supplementing water supplies. A. Prof. Webber concluded by outlining examples of potential knowledge, technological and regulatory solutions to the climate, energy and water nexus from Texas and the United States more broadly, and gave his thoughts on priority policy measures.
Bob Hawke: Reflections on the Australia-United States Alliance
3 May 2011
Bob Hawke AC worked with two Republican Presidents Ronald Reagan and George HW Bush on critical global issues as diverse as the bombing of the US Embassy in Beiruit, the fall of the Berlin Wall, the creation of APEC, the end of apartheid in South Africa and bringing China into the global community. Australia's longest serving Labor Prime Minister is a loyal friend as well as a friendly critic of the US. His close relationship with Secretary of State George Shultz was a key element in shaping the trajectory post-Cold War Asia Pacific. At this event Hawke discussed his vast experience with, and views on, the US with Australia's leading political journalist Paul Kelly.
Melbourne: Current trends in civic engagement in America
19 April 2011
The Grattan Institute, the US Studies Centre, and the Australia and New Zealand School of Government presented Malkin Professor of Public Policy at Harvard University Professor Robert Putnam speaking about current trends in civic engagement in America.
The way communities engage with each other individually and collectively impacts profoundly on our democratic structures. Over the last quarter of a century, the United States has noted a perceptible decline in social capital. Contributing to the decline in both bonding and bridging capital include changes to work practices, family structure, longevity, urban living, and information technology. In light of these challenges, is it possible to achieve civic reinvention? What does history tell us?
Hollywood Left and Right: How movie stars shaped American politics
19 April 2011
At this free public forum University of Southern California professor of history Steven J. Ross told an important story that has escaped public attention: the emergence of Hollywood as a vital centre of political life and the important role that movie stars have played in shaping the course of American politics.
American Grace: How religion divides and unites America
18 April 2011
In recent years, the role of religion as lived in America today has fascinated outside observers from secular countries. The ongoing internal debate about religion, atheism and politics in America captivates our attention but how is America unusually religious, unusually diverse religiously, and yet unusually tolerant? In most countries, intense religiosity combined with stark religious differences equals wars, violence, and civil disorder. How come this has not happened in the US?
Leading US political scientist Robert Putnam draws on the two most comprehensive surveys ever conducted on religion and public life in America (specially commissioned for his book, American Grace: How Religion Divides and Unites Us with co-author David Campbell of Notre Dame University), and in a dozen in-depth portraits of diverse congregations he examines the complex interaction of religion and politics over the past half-century. He provides a balanced and considered counterweight to the polemical rhetoric of how religion both contributes to and detracts from the vibrancy and stability of American democracy.
VIDEOS & INTERVIEWS
Dr David Smith analyses how Obama's public support of same sex marriage may affect his re-election chances.
Edward Blakely discusses his new book 'My Storm' and the lessons that Australians can learn from Hurricane Katrina.
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