Hugh Mackay AO: The Kindness Revolution
BOOK LAUNCH: THE KINDNESS REVOLUTION
HUGH MACKAY AO
THURSDAY 20 MAY 2021, 4PM TO 5PM
Allan Scott Auditorium, Hawke Building, UniSA City West Campus MAP
Presented by The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre
Access recording of this Presentation below or on our YouTube Channel HERE
Revolutions never start at the top. If we dare to dream of a more loving country—kinder, more compassionate, more cooperative, more respectful, more inclusive, more egalitarian, more harmonious, less cynical—there’s only one way to start turning that dream into a reality: each of us must live as if this is already that country.
2020 was ravaged by bushfires and a worldwide pandemic, taking a toll on both our mental and emotional health and the economy. Hugh Mackay reflects on the challenges we faced during that year of upheaval and the questions many of us have asked ourselves: What really matters to me? Am I living the kind of life I want? What sort of society do we want to become?
Mackay urges us not to let those questions go, and points to our inspiring displays of kindness and consideration, the sacrifices we’ve made for the common good, and our heightened appreciation of the value of local neighbourhoods and communities during the pandemic. In response, he asks: ‘Could we become renowned as a loving country, rather than simply a “lucky” one?’
As Mackay says: ‘The question is whether we are ready to apply the lessons 2020 has taught us. I am convinced the potential is there and, as you read The Kindness Revolution, I hope you will share my optimism.’
Absorbing, wise and inspiring, The Kindness Revolution captures the essence of Mackay’s life’s work as social psychologist and researcher. Written for our times, this truly remarkable book shows how crises and catastrophes often turn out to be the making of us and explains why radical kindness is the key to healing. To quote from the book’s opening chapter: ‘To be kind – always and to everyone – is to be fully, gloriously human, and every act of kindness is one more step towards a better society.’
This event will be presented LIVE in the University of South Australia's Allan Scott Auditorium to a limited audience. For this reason, REGISTRATIONS ARE ESSENTIAL. All registered attendees will be required to check-in and confirm contact details, as a requirement of our COVID-safe plan. Please stay at home if you are unwell or have any COVID-19 symptoms. We thank you in advance for your thoughtful and responsible cooperation.
SPEAKER
HUGH MACKAY AO
RESEARCHER, SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGIST AND AUTHOR
Hugh Mackay AO is a social psychologist, and the author of twenty-two books, including eight novels. His non-fiction writing covers social analysis, psychology, communication and ethics. He has had a sixty-year career in social research and was also a weekly newspaper columnist for twenty-five years.
He is a Fellow of the Australian Psychological Society and of the Royal Society of New South Wales and has been awarded honorary doctorates by five Australian universities. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2015 and is currently an honorary professor in the Research School of Psychology at the Australian National University. He lives in Canberra.
Hugh Mackay AO, Book Launch: The Inner Self and The Question of Love, 2020 Hawke Centre Program
Hugh Mackay, website
The Conversation: Hugh Mackay: the state of the nation starts in your street
Presented by The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre. Book sales by Matilda Bookshop
While the views presented by speakers within The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre public program are their own and are not necessarily those of either the University of South Australia, or The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre, they are presented in the interest of open debate and discussion in the community and reflect our themes of: Strengthening our Democracy - Valuing our Diversity - Building our Future.
The copying and reproduction of any transcripts within The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre public program is strictly forbidden without prior arrangements.
While the views presented by speakers within The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre public program are their own and are not necessarily those of either the University of South Australia, or The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre, they are presented in the interest of open debate and discussion in the community and reflect our themes of: Strengthening our Democracy - Valuing our Diversity - Building our Future. The Hawke Centre reserves the right to change their program at any time without notice.
