UNSW Centre for Ideas UNSW Centre for Ideas

Acclaimed Tamil-language author Perumal Murugan’s books were once burned by far-right groups, and now he’s longlisted for one of the most prestigious awards in literature.  

Explore Murugan’s profound literary odyssey, from the challenges of being a Tamil writer in rural India, to the turmoil of book burning and societal backlash. This exclusive event explores Murugan’s latest work, Pyre, as he navigates societal complexities of villages “full of quiet menace”, so tense it leaves readers “gasping for air” (The New York Times). In an evening of conversation, chaired by award-winning author and UNSW lecturer Roanna Gonsalves, explore Murugan’s extraordinary literary resilience, his literary legacy and the cultural tapestry he weaves. 

Perumal Murugan, a Tamil speaker, and Roanna Gonsalves, an English speaker, will be in conversation in their respective languages. A live interpreter will provide consecutive interpretation throughout the event.Presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas and supported by Adelaide Writers’ Week. 
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Fear of a nuclear apocalypse, despot leaders and a world at war – how did the sharpest minds of the Cold War leave such a legacy of fear? Samuel Moyn’s Liberalism Against Itself: Cold War Intellectuals and the Making of Our Times takes aim at liberalism, portraying it as a failed creed marred by a paranoia of communism.  

Known for his challenging perspectives and boasting a cult following on the left, the Yale Professor explores the transformation of Cold War liberals who, in his view, traded the Enlightenment's moral core for a fixation on individual liberty. Hear this compelling conversation as UNSW political philosopher Jessica Whyte and Samuel Moyn dissect why today’s liberals provide only pessimism, instead of vision. Presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas and Australian Human Rights Institute, and supported by Adelaide Writers’ Week. 

Secure your seat at Refuge, 23rd May 2024:  https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/refuge-viet-thanh-nguyen-shankari-chandran-registration-836801865907?aff=podcastad
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Against the frenetic energy and colour of Delhi, a Muslim school teacher is caught between his love of history and contemporary India. Anjum Hasan’s work sheds light on the complexities of life, love, writing history, and how national and patriotic myths can be maliciously subverted. 

Author Anjum Hasan’s latest book, History’s Angel, is a darkly funny portrait of one of Australia’s most important neighbours. Mild mannered teacher Alif feels the burden of his own time pressing down, but his wife is focused on a bigger house, his son wants to quit school and strike it rich, and his colleagues begin to question a Muslim teaching Indian history. 

Hasan and fellow Indian fiction luminary, and UNSW academic, Roanna Gonsalves talk about how we understand ourselves, how we reflect on our histories, and drawing inspiration from others in a time of suspicion and indifference.

Presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas and supported by Adelaide Writers’ Week. 
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Human existence has always been bound with the health of our natural world. What can we learn from how a changing climate has already, for centuries, dramatically shaped the development and demise of civilisations across time? 

In the 2024 Gandhi Oration, renowned historian and author Peter Frankopan unraveled the historical narrative, framing the natural environment as the crucial factor impacting humankind.  

ABOUT THE GANDHI ORATIONSince 2012, UNSW Sydney has hosted the annual Gandhi Oration celebrating the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi as a champion of human rights. The Oration features discussions on the significant human rights issues of our time. Past speakers have included Senator Pat Dodson, Peter Greste, Pat Anderson, Shoma Chaudhury, Reverend Tim Costello, Rosie Batty and Shen Narayanasamy. 

Presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas, and supported by Adelaide Writers’ Week and The Wheeler Centre.
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This third session of the Accountability in crisis: the rise of impunity as a challenge to human rights explores how to restore public faith in the values and structures underpinning representative government and the role of key stakeholder groups such as business, media and civil society in resisting impunity, reclaiming accountability and reinforcing human rights.

Moderator: Natasha Mitchell, host of the ABC Radio National's flagship live events program and podcast Big Ideas​​​​​​​

Speakers:Ed Coper, author, Facts & Other LiesAndrea Durbach, Emeritus Professor and former Director of the Australian Human Rights Centre (now Institute)Helen Haines MP, independent Federal Member for Indi in the state of VictoriaSimon Holmes à Court, founder, Climate 200Shireen Morris, constitutional lawyer, senior lecturer and director of the Radical Centre Reform Lab at Macquarie University Law School​​​​​​​

Presented by the Australian Human Rights Institute, UNSW Sydney
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In this opening session of the 2023 Australian Human Rights Institute conference, Accountability in crisis: the rise of impunity as a challenge to human rights, the panel considers the key conference theme of the elevation of impunity over accountability and the consequences for national democratic institutions and global stability.

Accountability and its corrosion is explored through the lens of government, business, media and civil society. The discussion considers whether checks, balances and human rights are seen as obstacles to the exercise of power rather than principles of good governance.

Speakers:

Jeremy Heimans (moderator), co-founder and Chairman, PurposeChris Sidoti, international human rights consultantLenore Taylor, Editor, Guardian AustraliaSaffron Zomer, Executive Director, Australian Democracy Network 

 

Presented by Australian Human Rights Institute, UNSW Sydney
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