La Trobe Organised University Debating (LOUD)

The La Trobe Organised University Debating (LOUD) club has begun to organise weekly debates. They are a good chance to try out your powers of persuasion and oratory.

Topics are not difficult and only require your general knowledge to debate. They include issues of climate change, military intervention, developing countries, indigenous relations and more. Alternatively, you may prefer to join the adjudication where you listen and give your feedback on who won and why.

When: Tuesdays at 5.30pm–7.30pm
Where: Union house in Function room 3

Teams of three speakers are formed and the topic gets released at 6pm. Debates start at 6.15 pm and usually last for about an hour.
We also have team spots availiable for the Melbourne ‘Australian National Debatng Championship’ during the easter break. Please visit the website www.easters2010.com
For any queiries please email us at debatelatrobe@gmail.com or call Adam the secretary on 0451 191 598.

What Responsibilities do Australians Owe the Global Poor? Report

On the 16th of February a number of leading NGOs and AusAID hosted a panel discussion at the Sidney Myer Asia Centre. The panellists included Peter Singer, Bob McMullan MP, Tim Costello, Robyn Archer, John Roskam and Claire Slatter who discussed what role Australian aid should play and how much Australians ought to give. The event was overflowing with over 900 attendees.

One Just World in conjunction with the International Women’s Development Agency are hosting their next event on March 10- How Women Can Change The World (and how men can help) at the BMW Edge, Federation Square 6:00pm onwards. The cost is FREE and the information invaluable. Check out www.onejustworld.com.au for further information.

Seminar: What responsibilities do Australians owe the global poor?

World Vision’s ‘One Just World‘ campaign has organised a debate/seminar around the question of “What responsibilities do Australians owe the global poor?”

When: Tuesday 16th of February at 6:00 PM

Where: The Carrillo Gantner Theatre, Sidney Myer Asia Centre, The University of Melbourne (The modern building in front of the tram terminus on Swanston Street) (View Map)

The panel has a number of well known names and includes:

  • Peter Singer – Ira W De Camp Professor of Bioethics at the Centre for Human Values, Princeton University; Laureate Professor, University of Melbourne; author of The Life You Can Save
  • Tim Costello – CEO, World Vision Australia
  • Robyn Archer (moderator) – leading singer, writer, artistic director and public advocate for the arts
  • Hon Bob McMullan MP – Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance
  • Claire Slatter – Development Specialist and Senior Lecturer in Social Science, Fiji National University
  • John Roskam – Executive Director, Insitute for Public Affairs

Debate: The Global Financial Crisis

Dr. Matt Killingsworth and Tia SpanosThis was originally an event that would mirror the Politics & I.R program’s lecturers’ debate. Being a student association however, meant that LIRA’s intention would be to involve greater student participation in the event. This did not necessarily mean a greater student audience, but also student involvement in the debate itself. Tia Spanos took up the challenge to debate Dr. Matt Killingsworth on the theme of ‘Australia and the global financial crisis (GFC)’. The aim of ther debate was to discuss the impact of the GFC upon Australia’s economy and furthermore, to debate whether Australia’s response (the stimulus package, etc.) was sufficient and whether the outcomes have so far been favourable. Due to the relevance of the theme at the time, but also the irregular dynamic of a battle between a staff and a student member, attendence to the event was very positive. Approximately 60-65 people were present; this included several staff members of the Politics & IR program, students of politics and international relations (from all years), as well as economics, journalism and general arts students. It was a vibrant mash-up of students and this made for a vibrant set of post-debate questions; which ranged from questions on macroeconomic impact of the GFC to the effect of the GFC on the Labour Party’s presence, to questions pondering Australia’s route to economic security in comparison to countries such as France and Germany and how the debators were individually ‘stimulated’ with Rudd’s stimulus package.

Overall, the event brought closer together the students and staff of the Politics & IR program and allowed positive engagement and dialogue. The event allowed for increased presence in the university and furthermore provided a dynamic and educational atmosphere for all to participate in.