The Ethics Centre
Protest, punishment, power and partnerships: The Ethics Centre has unveiled its public program for the year ahead featuring free residencies, thought-provoking presentations and pertinent conversations – with a focus on how to bring ethics to the centre of everyday life.
The Ethics Centre is a fiercely independent not-for-profit that, for over 30 years, has advocated for a more ethical society. The Centre's programs are recognised for stimulating public awareness and understanding, creating a safe space for open, honest and often difficult conversations.
Executive Director of The Ethics Centre, Dr Simon Longstaff AO said: "In an increasingly challenging world, it's essential that we be able to talk together about the issues we face. For over three decades The Ethics Centre has created spaces where it's safe for people, of diverse experience and opinions, to tackle difficult or controversial topics. This year's program builds upon that tradition."
Following the glorious return of live festivals in 2022, the Centre's flagship Festival of Dangerous Ideas (FODI) will present a special event this year, full of surprises. On 29 July, Sydney will ignite minds for Festival of Dangerous Ideas REDACTED. Delving deep into power and secrets, a top-secret international headliner will lead this whirlwind activation. Uncomfortable conversations, diverse perspectives, unexpected experiences and critical thinking await those lucky enough to secure tickets. FODI REDACTED simply asks 'do you trust us?' Details to be announced soon.
A first for the Centre, the inaugural The Ethics Centre Residency Program will invite thinkers, leaders, makers and facilitators to create and share in a collaborative and inspiring space at Ethics' HQ in Sydney's CBD. Residents will get complimentary access to use the Centre's eco-renovated heritage venue to undertake projects that are aligned to ethics. Coming from a range of practice including philosophy, science, architecture, design, social impact, AI, film, theatre, dance, experimental performance, visual arts, hybrid, and likely different, new or undefined practice.
The popular series 'The Ethics of…' is back, tackling the meaning, mess and morality of life, throughout 2023, kicking off with Protest and then Punishment. How far should you go for what you believe in? Amid World Pride Sydney, hear from human rights lawyer and chair of Amnesty International UK, Dr Sen Raj and The Ethics Centre's Senior Philosopher Dr Tim Dean on the ethics of protest as it is today. How has it changed? Is it effective? Is it dangerous? In The Ethics of Punishment explore the role we all play in the way we punish as a society and as individuals. Why do we accept certain forms of punishment and not others? Is punishment necessary in society or are there other, fairer ways to bring about justice? Each event is more than just a talk; led by Australia's best philosophers and speakers, they are intimate live and engaging interactions that involve thought experiments and opportunities for participants to share their experiences, views and learn from each other.
The Ethics Centre Executive Director Dr Simon Longstaff AO will host the new series 'In Conversation with...' , an opportunity to delve into hotly relevant and difficult issues we are grappling with – and perhaps see things from a different perspective. On 4 April, Simon will be joined by proud Wiradjuri and Wailwan woman and lawyer, Teela Reid, for Reckoning not Reconciliation to unpack the Voice to Parliament, exploring: What is the Voice to Parliament? Can the national conversation for constitutional recognition reconcile the truth of our nations' past? How do we embrace the discomfort of this moment and what does it mean – for us collectively and individually? What do we need to know to make an informed decision?
This year marks the launch of The Ethics Centre's first Youth Advisory Council. The Council will help find innovative ways to bring ethics to the centre of young people's lives. It will be a platform for young people to share their insights and develop initiatives that will help others navigate the unique ethical challenges they face now and into the future. Expressions of interest are open for interested people aged 13 to 25 years.
And finally, it's been more than 30 years since Simon placed a circle of 12 chairs in Sydney's Martin Place with a sign that read: "If you would like to discuss ideas with a philosopher, join the circle". In 2022, The Ethics Centre reactivated Circle of Chairs at Festival of Dangerous Ideas, seeing it become one of the Festival's most popular interactive sessions ever. This year, Circle of Chairs will return to connect city, regional and remote communities in respectful, meaningful and urgent conversations on the topics that matter to us the most. Stay tuned for dates and locations.
More details available online at www.ethics.org.au
–
/Public Release. This material from the originating organization/author(s) might be of the point-in-time nature, and edited for clarity, style and length. Mirage.News does not take institutional positions or sides, and all views, positions, and conclusions expressed herein are solely those of the author(s).
