From UOW Website:

High-profile speakers to address issues of public concern

Some well-known Australian identities will take part in a summer session program at the University of Wollongong over December and January – a program which has never been offered before at any of the country’s universities.

UOW’s Faculty of Arts today announced a new summer session subject of “Politics, the Community and the Common Good”.

Among the impressive line up of speakers participating are:

• • Winner of a 2009 national award for excellence in teaching from UOW’s School of History and Politics, Dr Glenn Mitchell

  • Honorary Professorial Fellow of the University, Emeritus Professor Stephen Hill, who is former Regional Director and Ambassador of the UN organisation, UNESCO. He promoted community empowerment in UN initiatives in Asia and the Pacific during the 1990s and 2000s.

• Former High Court Justice Michael Kirby who is a respected international jurist and advocate for human rights

• Businessman, philanthropist and adventurer, Dick Smith, who is founder of Dick Smith Electronics, Dick Smith Foods, Australian Geographic and is credited as the first man to fly solo around the world via the Poles and to the North Pole by helicopter. He was Australian of the Year (1986)

• Former Independent Member of the NSW Legislative Assembly, Jaycees Australia’s Outstanding Young Man of the Year (1970), Australia’s ‘National Living Treasure’ (1998), legendary anti-corruption fighter and a Fellow of the University – John Hatton

• CEO of St Vincent’s de Paul, John Falzon

• Former Chairperson of the NSW Corrective Services Commission and famed promoter of equity, Professor Tony Vinson

“The program will encourage people who are not university students to enrol and become part of a vibrant and vigorous series of lectures and debates,” according to subject co-ordinator, Dr Glenn Mitchell, who introduced the initiative.

Dr Mitchell said the program would reinforce the University’s credentials and civic mission as an agency for positive community engagement.

“It will certainly get the public involved in thinking about, and debating, issues of public concern keeping in mind of course the sacking of two local councils,” he said.

Details for those wishing to take part in the program: The course is available to UOW students for academic credit. It is also available to the wider community. There are limited places available and anyone interested in enrolling should contact the Arts Central Office on 4221 5328 before Monday 30 November, and an enrolment package will be sent.

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(UoW confirm course is free to Australian Citizens, and they confirm also to Permanent Residents. Enrollments require proof for both. Bruce)