25 November 2013
The University of South Australia will be the first ever education partner of the much loved festival of music and culture WOMADelaide by sponsoring the festival’s sustainability talks program – the Planet Talks at Botanic Park from 7-10 March 2014.
The UniSA sponsored Planet Talks program returns to the festival’s Speakers Corner area for a second year with a line-up of stimulating and inspiring speakers from Australia, Europe and the USA.
Hosted by the ABC’s Robyn Williams and Bernie Hobbs, the 2014 program includes UK Barrister, award winning author and Ecocide campaign founder, Polly Higgins; Peter Garrett; Annabel Crabb; Simon Sheikh; Tanya Ha; Professor Chris Daniels; Professor Steffen Lehmann; Paul Gilding; Peter Ward (USA), Simon Holmes a Court; Richard Slaughter; Peter Owen; Tory Shepherd; Tim Hollo and more.
In six thought-provoking panel discussions over three days, the Planet Talks will explore a range of new ideas and topics that deal with our sustainable relationship to the planet.
WOMADelaide director Ian Scobie said he was delighted to welcome UniSA as a key partner noting many parallels in their respective industries beyond their shared 22-year history in Adelaide.
“In many ways UniSA is the perfect education and Planet Talks partner for us as they represent so many of the virtues that WOMADelaide has promoted over the past two decades,” Mr Scobie said.
“We both connect people to a global community through education, unique experiences, innovation and inspiration and the University’s sponsorship of the Planet Talks is now taking WOMADelaide fans’ experiences beyond discovering new sounds, sights and flavours to uncovering new ideas.
“And with Chris Daniels and Steffen Lehmann representing UniSA’s Barbara Hardy Institute and Zero Waste SA Research Centre respectively, the Planet Talks also has two leading lights in the area of environmental research and sustainability directly contributing to the dialogue.”
UniSA Vice Chancellor Professor David Lloyd says WOMADelaide is more than just a festival, having played a groundbreaking role in bringing the world to Adelaide through music, culture and creativity.
“As the education provider for the largest number of international students in the State and with an alumni network around the world, this partnership is a great fit for UniSA because it reflects our global engagement,” Prof Lloyd said.
“The UniSA Planet Talks series provide and opportunity to explore some of the pressing societal issues of our time.
“Through our partnership with WOMADelaide UniSA intends to stimulate the mind as well as the senses.”
Media contact: Michèle Nardelli office: 08 8302 0966 mobile: 0418 823 673 email: Michele.nardelli@unisa.edu.au
