The Future of the Peace Movement in Australia

At a time of escalating global crises, a peaceful world has never seemed more important, or felt so far away. But as the Raising Peace festival has shown, Australians are doing so much good work in the cause of peace, from First Nations justice to anti-nuclear advocacy to environmental activism and countless acts of grassroots peacebuilding.  Our final forum brings together champions of peace from a variety of backgrounds and perspectives as, campaigners, practitioners and researchers to reflect on what we have raised this week and suggest priorities for the Australian peace movement in addressing a challenging future.

Moderator: Dr Susan Banki

Susan Banki is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Sociology and Social Policy at the University of Sydney. She is the Director of the Master of Social Justice at the university and is on the Board of the Sydney Peace Foundation. Susan’s research focuses on refugees from Myanmar and Bhutan. She writes on the ways that refugees engage in homeland activism from regions proximate to, and distant from, their homes. She has won numerous awards for her teaching.

Panellists – 

Dr Marty Branagan

Dr Marty Branagan is a long-term activist, artist and a Senior Lecturer in Peace Studies at the University of New England. Marty researches nonviolence developments, WW2 nonviolence, artistic activism, and women in environmental movements. His most recent publication is the cli-fi novel ‘Locked On!’

Professor Clinton Fernandes, UNSW

Clinton Fernandes is Professor of International and Political Studies. He has published on the relationship between science, diplomacy and international law, intelligence operations in foreign policy, the political and regulatory implications of new technology and Australia’s external relations more generally. He is the author of several publications including Island off the Coast of Asia: Instruments of Statecraft in Australian Foreign Policy (Monash University Publishing, 2018).

Oongi Barb Flick (Oongi is my totem, Proper name for the Paddemelon Wallaby)

I am a 70 year old Elder of the Yawallyi/Gamillaraay/Bigambul Nations. I have been a member of the Alice Springs Peace Group; been affiliated with MAPW in Adelaide; served on the federal government’s National Consultative Committee on Peace and Disarmament.

Dr Anne Noonan

Anne Noonan is a psychiatrist and psychoanalyst. She works in Sydney and in remote communities in Central Australia and has been involved in anti-war movements for many years. Anne’s current commitments include the promotion of international humanitarian law as the Medical Association for Prevention of War’s representative with the International Committee of the Red Cross and participation in the Australia West Papua Association.

Eva Rodriguez Riestra

Eva Rodriguez Riestra is an arts administrator, curator and researcher with a background in architecture, urban design and art history. Eva is dedicated to spatial justice and interested in the role that art, culture and creative practices can play in making cities inclusive, liveable, accessible and sustainable.  Eva is one of the founding members of Architects for Peace, a humanitarian not-for-profit organization established in 2003.  More recently Eva has been part of the working group bringing together peace-focused collections, galleries and trails to establish the Australian Network of Museums for Peace.

Carl Suen, Young Men’s Leader, Soka Gakkai International Australia (SGI-A)

I’m a member of SGIA, a Lay Buddhist Organisation dedicated to promoting Peace through Culture and Education. I’ve been part of Australians for Nuclear Disarmament (A.N.D) who organises the annual Hiroshima Day event in Melbourne. I’m also part of the organising committee for Intercultural Youth Dialogue Victoria (IYD) in Melbourne. I’ve attached Facebook links for both the Melbourne and Sydney IYD page.

Organisations:  

• Independent & Peaceful Australia Network (IPAN)
• Department of Peace and Conflict Studies, University of Sydney
• Peacifica
• Australian Network of Museums for Peace (ANMP)

Tickets from: Eventbrite