Events
at the University of Melbourne
The University is committed to hosting events and activations on its campuses in a COVIDSafe way, in accord with government restrictions and guidelines. Some of our events are presented on campus, others online – be sure to check the details. Find out more about the University’s COVIDSafe plans
Featured events
Co-hosted by the University of Melbourne’s Initiative for Peacebuilding and the Australia Myanmar Institute.
Convenors (and contact) – Professor Joseph Lo Bianco and Dr Tania Miletic
This one-day symposium on pursuing transformation and peace in Myanmar brings together Myanmar and Australian government leaders, researchers and practitioners to reflect on and further prospects for conflict transformation in Myanmar through presentations, panel discussion and participatory engagement.
This event is free and open to all interested in attending.
Accessibility: This event is both in person and online. The Forum Theatre utilises a hearing aid loop. It is also wheelchair accessible: enter Arts West via Professor’s Walk using the southernmost automatic doors; via the ramp behind the main staircase proceed to the bank of three elevators on the North side to Level 1. Accessible bathrooms are available on Level 1 opposite the Forum Theatre.
Program Details:
9:00am Opening speeches and Welcome to Country
9:15am Reflection and Commemoration with Ms Sophia Htwe
9:30am Pursuing Conflict Transformations in Myanmar with Her Excellency NUG Foreign Minister Zin Mar Aung (via Zoom)
10:00am Overview of past peace process and principles for future conflict mitigation and long-term reconciliation with Bertil Lintner (via Zoom), followed by A/Professor Nicholas Coppel and Dr Tun Aung Schwe
11:15am Morning Tea
11:30am Panel on Prospects for Positive Change
12:30pm Lunch hosted by Peace-Meal and viewing of art installation by Mayco Naing
1:45pm Justice and Restoration: Dealing with the Generals with Minister for Justice NUG U Thein Oo (via Zoom) and Janelle Saffin MP
2:30pm Building a More Equitable Economy: After the Generals with Professor Sean Turnell (via Zoom) and Dr Htwe Htwe Thein
3:30pm Out of the ashes: destruction and recreation of health care in Myanmar with Professor Paul Komasaroff, Dr Raymond Tint Way, Dr Thet Htay and Emily Tip
4:30pm Panel: Now and future-focused action for Conflict Transformation, with Sophia Htwe and Paing Hset.
5:00pm Reflections on Conflict Transformation and Myanmar with Dr Emma Leslie (via Zoom)
5:20pm Australia and a future democratic Myanmar, comments from Dr Tun Aung Shwe
5:30 Closing remarks, Professor Joseph Lo Bianco
…
Photographic Exhibition by Mayco Naing
Mayco Naing, is today an important figure in contemporary Asian photography. Mayco rose to prominence when the universities had been shut down by the military and she got a job at a photo studio for 3000 kyats (about $3) a month. Having spotted an YPF poster in 2010, she attended her first master classes, received the Creative Prize, exhibited abroad (the Lyon Biennale, the Bangkok Biennale, festivals in Lishui and Dali in China). Mayco was finally able to have her first solo exhibition at home. Her portrait series, entitled Identity of Fear, captures the Zeitgeist of the Burmese generation born around the time of the 1988 revolution, raised with little education, conservative values, and coming of age under a repressive military regime. Drawing on her newly-found freedom of expression and the desire to share her experience, Mayco hopes to be able to train as many citizen artists and photojournalists as possible, especially in regions where ethnic minorities are still facing armed conflicts.
2024 Downing Public Lecture: Where Does Wealth Come From?
Presented by Professor Sandra E. Black, Professor of Economics and International and Public Affairs, Columbia University
Recent decades have seen substantial increases in wealth inequality; this is particularly troubling given the high persistence of this inequality across generations. Yet we have surprisingly little understanding of how and why wealth is transmitted across generations. Is this persistence driven by innate biological differences across families, or is it driven by growing up in different environment with access to different opportunities?
Professor Sandra E. Black will discuss the recent research in economics that tries to answer this question, focusing on how one can disentangle the role of nature versus nurture. Professor Black will then take a step back and discuss what we actually mean when we think about differences in wealth.
Background: Downing Lecture Series
Distinguished visiting economists are invited to present at the Downing Lecture for the purpose of promoting analysis and discussion of economic and social research policy. The lectures series have been made possible by a generous fellowship that was established by friends and colleagues of the late Professor Richard Downing (BA (Hons) 1936), in memory of his life and work.
Richard Ivan Downing was Ritchie Professor of Research and Economics in the University from 1952 until his death in 1975. Not only did Professor Downing make significant contributions to economic research in this position, he also put much effort into guiding and fostering the research interests of students and staff. For twenty years he edited The Economic Record. He also played a prominent part in founding the now Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research.
The lecture will be delivered in-person. Join us for pre-lecture drinks from 5.30pm to 6.30pm. The lecture will commence at 6.30pm.