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Words and Ideas

This year’s Darwin Festival Words & Ideas program is bound to get you thinking. Tackling global issues with a series of talks and discussions, a line-up of international experts explore matters of conflict, violence, religion, ethnicity and identity. 

Sunday at CDU 

Head to the Casuarina Campus for a series of discussions tackling big issues affecting the world today. Former ambassador to the Middle East and South East Asia Richard O’Brien explores conflict resolution, religious identity and the challenges facing community governance in Northern Ireland, the Middle East and South East Asia. A former member of the Irish Foreign Service, O’Brien shares his experience in promoting cross-community dialogue and understanding, and the respect of different religious traditions. 

Looking to Europe or closer to home? Join an expert panel of arts luminaries as they discuss programming in Aussie arts centres and festivals – should our festival be about connecting us to our northern neighbours or should we be bringing a slice of Europe to the Top End? 

From elections in the Philippines and Malaysia, to challenges faced by democratically elected politicians in Indonesia and Myanmar, leaders are changing the face of South East Asia’s politics. South East Asian political expert Bridget Welsh delves into the state of democracy in South East Asia.

WHEN   SUN 14 AUG | 1PM, 2.30PM & 4PM
AT         CHARLES DARWIN UNIVERSITY THEATRE
COST    FREE (BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL FOR ALL TALKS) Find out more by clicking here!


More from the Words & Ideas program.

Eating Dinosaurs!

WHEN   MON 15 AUG | 6pm
AT         MAGNT Theatrette

Click here for the event listing.

SPUN: Wild

WHEN   SUN 14 AUG | 7pm
AT         The Lighthouse
COST    $25

Click here for the event listing.

The Smiling Face of Islam

WHEN   SUN 7 AUG | 6pm
AT         Christ Church Cathedral

Click here for the event listing.

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