The Ideas and Society programme is a series of debates and public lectures convened by Professor Robert Manne. The aim of the programme is to bring students, staff and the general public together to consider some of the critical questions of the times and to enliven intellectual life at La Trobe University. Its aim is also to bring some of Australia’s leading thinkers and public figures to the university campus to deepen the understanding of these critical issues.
Ideas and Society events are broadcast live on the day.
Can We Feed 9 BILLION in 2050? Panel: Tim Costello, Elizabeth Finkel, Philip Keane, and Richard Roush
Indigenous Politics – Reflections on the Stolen Generations Report, the Northern Territory ‘Intervention’, and the Constitutional Referendum A conversation between Professors Robert Manne and Michael Dodson AM
Panel Discussion – The University Panel discusson between Raymond Gaita, John Dewar and Miriam Bankovsky
The future of the left in Australia: Labor and the Greens - enemies or friends? The panel: Adam Bandt, Andrew Leigh, and Robert Manne
Education in Australia: The struggle for greater equality With guest speakers Carmen Lawrence, Richard Teese, and Dennis Altman
Mental Health in Australia - How is it rating? Australia’s mental health services now and what is needed to do more?
Is there a future for quality newspapers? Guest speakers Paul Ramage (The Age) and Eric Beecher (Crikey) discuss
Ideas & Society: Does Wikileaks matter? VIDEO: 'Does Wikileaks matter?' watch the Wheeler Centre event
Michael Kirby receives an honorary doctorate In recognition for the outstanding contribution to law and to La Trobe
Does Social Democracy have a future? Free public seminar by The Ideas and Society Program December 7
Asylum seekers & Australian Democracy On Friday October 15, the Ideas & Society Program of La Trobe University is holding an important meeting: Asylum seekers and Australian Democracy- what do we fear?
The Global Fight against Hunger Ideas and Society Program in association with the Institute for Human Security presents "The Global Fight Against Hunger".
Racism: A Debate Henry Reynolds, Ghassan Hage, Judith Brett and John Hirst debate racism in contemporary Australia. Chaired by Belinda Probert
What is wrong with Australian democracy? Malcolm Fraser, Barry Jones and Robert Manne on Australian Democracy
Focused, Ambitious and Transformative ideas - 
