In celebration of Cultural Diversity Week 2015, the City of Darebin will host an Intefaith Breakfast. The topic of the event will be “Freedom of speech, responsibilities and respect – Where are the lines drawn?” The guest speaker will be Tanja Kovac, a prominent lawyer involved in the MV Tampa case.
Coinciding with events associated with Cultural Diversity Week (14th-22th March) and Harmony Day (21st March) the theme for the seminar is: “Freedom of speech, responsibilities and respect – Where are the lines drawn?”
Western democracies champion freedom of speech, but how far is too far? Should people have the right to say what they think? Should people simply be expected to have a thick skin and laugh off offensive satire or ignore it? Should governments restrict free speech as a part of combatting extremism? What does the law say? How should people of faith make sense of the issue and play a role in healing the divide?
To help us explore this important and complex topic, the keynote speaker will be Tanja Kovac.
Tanja began her career as a lawyer at Slater & Gordon acting in a number of high profile human rights cases, including as part of the legal team assisting Amnesty International in the MV Tampa case. She was heavily involved in lobbying for the Victorian Charter of Human Rights & Responsibilities. In 2009, she founded Human Rights are Aussie Rules, a national human rights education program teaching young people about freedom, respect, equality and dignity through sport. Tanja’s writing has appeared in The Age, The Daily Telegraph, The Australian, The Canberra Times, The Punch, Crikey and more. Come and hear Tanja who will help us explore this important and complex issue.
What: “Freedom of speech, responsibilities and respect – Where are the lines drawn?”
When: Thursday 19th March, from 7am to 9am
Where: Preston Shire Hall, 286 Gower Street, Preston, Vic, 3072
Cost: Free – please RSVP for catering purposes
RSVP: Kenichi Kurioka on phone 8470 8630 or email Kenichi.Kurioka@darebin.vic.gov.au
More information: Aziz Cooper ~ 8470 8519
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