Former Iranian President, Khatami, visits La Trobe
H. E. Seyed Mohammad Khatami at La Trobe University.
People attending the public lecture.
Khatami meets with the Honourable Steven Bracks and Professor Joseph Camilleri.
Khatami meets with religious leaders at the Bishops Court.
On 26 March 2009 the Centre for Dialogue hosted an address by H. E. Sayed Mohammed Khatami, the Former President of Iran (1997-2005) and pioneer of the 'Dialogue of Civilisations'. The address, entitled 'Dialogue Among Civilisations: The Dos and Don'ts of Theory and Practice' was the only public address given by Khatami in Melbourne. Over 1 800 people attended, with another 1 000 people turned away after all three lecture theatres were filled.
Drawing on his experience as a leader of the reform movement in Iran and as a leading religious scholar, Khatami discussed the role of the dialogue among cultures and civilisations in international relations. He emphasised the importance of digital media and the way it might facilitate dialogue between different elements of society around the world, circumventing governments as an intermediary.
During question time Khatami expressed his disapproval of all forms of extremism and terrorism, arguing that it is based on a "fundamentally warped logic which refuses to acknowledge the basic rights of the pluralism of world cultures".
Videos of the address are available on request from the Centre for Dialogue.
The public address received national and international attention. An article in The Age provided a background to Khatami's visit, and an article in the New Straits Times Online covered the event.
As the hosting body, the Centre for Dialogue organised for Khatami to meet with prominent individuals and organisations in an itinerary that included:
- The Board of Imams
- The Australian Institute for International Affairs
- National Centre of Excellence for Islamic Studies Australia (NCEIS)
- The Honourable Steven Bracks, Former Premier of Victoria
- The Most Reverend Dr Philip Freer, Anglican Archbishop
- Mr Harry Jenkins, Speaker of the House of Representatives
- The Honourable Malcolm Fraser, Former Prime Minister of Australia
- Ms Maria Vamvakinou, Federal Member for Calwell
Khatami also gave an interview to ABC's Lateline.