Australia’s relationship with China: prospects and perils

Welcome to the Social Policy Connections audio podcast on the topic of moral implications of Australia’s close economic ties with China.

The following podcast features a discussion between Dr Thomas Bartlett and Dr Paul Rule on Wednesday May 23^rd 2010 in the Study Centre of Yarra Theological Union.

Thomas Bartlett and Paul Rule have been teaching and researching about China in universities in Australia and the United States as well as visiting and living in China through the changes from the Cultural Revolution to the present economic dominance. Both have recently retired from teaching Chinese history at La Trobe University but remain active in research and publications on China. Thomas mainly writes about Qing dynasty history but also has a strong interest in current events in China. Paul specializes in the study of Chinese religion past and present.

If you would like attend one of our events please refer to our website www.social policyconnections.com.au. Please feel free to subscribe to our podcast via itunes or via an RSS feed located on our website’s home page, as we will be publishing podcasts regularly, free of charge.

New Hope for Africa: the churches’ role in peacemaking, development’

Welcome to the Social Policy Connections audio podcast,

The following Social Policy Connections event was held in association with Act for Peace, the international aid agency of the National Council of Churches in Australia, on Saturday April 19 2010, at Study Centre of Yarra Theological Union.

Our guest speaker was the Reverend Dr Andre Karamaga, a Rwandan Presbyterian Minister , who lost family during the Rwandan Genocide is General Secretary of, the All African Conference of Churches, which represents 173 churches and Christian organisations from 40 African countries, with 140 million adherents.

Dr Karamaga’s talk was entitled “New Hope for Africa: the churches’ role in peacemaking, development’

If you would like attend one of our events please refer to our website www.social policyconnections.com.au. Please feel free to subscribe to our podcast via itunes or via an RSS feed located on our website’s home page, as we will be publishing podcast regularly, free of charge.

Reflections on Pope Benedict’s encyclical, Caritas in Veritate

The following reflections on Pope Benedict’s encyclical on Human Development,
Caritas in Veritate, were recorded Thursday November 19th 2009 at the Wyselaskie Auditorium.

Our three guest speakers were

The Archbishop Philip Freier, Anglican Archbishop of Melbourne

Julie Edwards
CEO, Jesuit Social Services

Rufus Black
Master of Ormond College

This event was held in conjunction with the Yarra Institute for Religion and Social Policy.

A Response to Global Warming

A civil engineer, Geoff Lacey is also well known as a pioneering environmentalist and naturalist. He is the author of a landmark work on the ecology of the Yarra: 'Still glides the Stream': the Natural History of the Yarra from Heidelberg to Yarra Bend (2004). He is an honorary Senior Fellow at the University of Melbourne. Geoff Lacey discussed how society has failed to adequately respond to the global warming crisis and proposes a prophetic model as an impetus for change. Professor Lacey explained how the prophetic model will empower humanity to solve this global catastrophe. Stephen Ames drew out some theological reflections on the implications for how we might adjust to environmental threats. Stephen is an Anglican priest, a Canon at St Paul's Cathedral and lectures in the History and Philosophy of Science programme at the University of Melbourne. He is one of the founders of Social Policy Connections, and first president of the Yarra Institute for Religion and Social Policy.

Please click HERE to download a transcript of Professor Lacey’s lecture

Please click HERE to listen to listen to the lecture.

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Micah Challenge & the UN Millennium Development Goals: what has been achieved and what more can we do?

If you would like attend one of our events please refer to our website www.social policyconnections.com.au. Please feel free to subscribe to our podcast via itunes or via an RSS feed located on our website’s home page, as we will be publishing podcast regularly, free of charge.

The following lecture was presented on the 16 of October 2008, at Social Policy Connections first event in the new Study Centre of Yarra Theological Union. Our guest speaker was the Rev Joel Edwards, incoming Director of Micah Challenge International. The Micah Challenge International is an international campaign by churches to mobilise public support to lift millions out of hunger and acute poverty.
Rev Edwards, who is also a member of the UK Equality and Human Rights Commission and Tony Blair's Faith Foundation, was born in Jamaica and has lived in England from the age of eight. From 1997 till recently he headed the World Evangelical Alliance. Reverend Edwards had earlier talked with Prime Minister Kevin Rudd about how Australia could use its influence to expand support for the Millennium Development Goals.

And now, Rev Joel Edwards who chose as his topic “The Micah Challenge & the UN Millennium Development Goals: what has been achieved and what more can we do?”

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The Global Financial Crisis: Opportunity for Transformation

The following lecture entitled “The Global Financial Crisis: Opportunity for Transformation” was presented by Professor John Langmore on Thursday September 10^th 2009 in the new Study Centre of Yarra Theological Union.

In this podcast Professor John Langmore gives a succinct, comprehensible overview of the causes of the current economic crisis. He goes on to suggest political and financial reforms which would not only prevent a similar crisis in the future, but also bring about a more just and equitable society.

For those of you who are not familiar with our institution, Social Policy Connections is an independent, ecumenical organisation, motivated and informed by Christian social thinking. Our purpose is to expand awareness of social justice issues in Australia and overseas, and to influence public policy for the benefit of all people, especially the most disadvantaged. Social Policy Connections is not aligned with any political party.

For more information on upcoming Social Policy Connections events please visit our website located at www.socialpolicyconnections.org.au