UniSA Nelson Mandela Lecture Series

2012

Delivered by Eyal Weizman, Professor of Visual Cultures and Director of the Centre for Research Architecture, Goldsmiths, University of London

Walls and wars, rights and ruins: the revelations of forensic architecture

From the rubble of Gaza through the destroyed villages of Darfur, the scorched earth of the Guatemalan highlands, to the satellite surveillance of nuclear sites in Iran, architecture and its ruins are the vehicle for understanding and communicating the meaning of contemporary and recent affairs. Indeed, with the urbanization of conflict, architecture defines the pathology of our era.

5 September 2012, Allan Scott Auditorium, UniSA

2010

Dr Ashis Nandy, Fellow, Centre for the Study of Developing Societies, India
Prominent International Sociologist and Political Scientist

Is it Necessary to Love Your Neighbours?
Living with Radical Diversities and the Right to be Oneself

Dr Ashis Nandy has been described as 'India's most arresting thinker' and was listed as one of the top 100 public intellectuals in the world by Foreign Policy magazine. His lecture occupies controversial territory, challenging Western inspired cultural correctness where anything "culturally marked" may not be criticised. He proposes the right to be oneself, but not the right to harm or vilify others. He shares ideas about diverse communities living together through an "alternative cosmopolitanism", with ongoing stability, but not pretended "love", as a central aspect of the experience. In so doing he cites communal urban examples that have endured for centuries on this basis.

The lecture was held in conjunction with the Adelaide Festival Centre's OzAsia Festival and presented as the Festival's keynote address.

21 September 2010, Her Majesty's Theatre

2009

Unity Dow, Former High Court Judge of Botswana
Human rights legal consultant and novelist

Through Their Eyes: Of Diamond Rings and Cows - Diamonds for Love and Cows are for?

"There will be no true partnership between the developed countries and developing countries, and consequently the progress of the whole village will be compromised and undermined, until and unless there is true respect of the cultures and traditions of the latter. Developing countries must insist on a respectful place within the village and one place to start is a re-claiming of the right to define their issues."

16 September 2009, Allan Scott Auditorium, UniSA

2008

Dr Musimbi Kanyoro, Director, Population Program: Packard Foundation USA

Inaugural UniSA Nelson Mandela Lecture: Ethical Globalization: A Vision of a World Where Benefits Accrue to All

"Today's globalization is one of stark contrasts. There are more connections - markets, people and ideas linked as never before. At the same time, there are more divisions - between North and South, between rich and poor. While the connections are evident, we seem further apart in finding ways to tackle global problems in a coordinated way where the burdens and responsibilities are shared."

14 October 2008, Allan Scott Auditorium, UniSA