Guest Speakers
We are very excited about the inspiring list of guest speakers that will be featured throughout the week of AMUNC 2008! Although it is too early to release the full program of speakers at this stage, we are proud to announce the first of our many guest speakers. Guest speaker sessions will be housed in the Elder Hall, the University’s concert hall and one of the most grand in the nation.
Hon. Premier Mike Rann
Opening Ceremony, Monday 7 July 2008
Mike Rann was born in Sidcup, Kent, in 1953. He completed a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts (Honours) in Political Studies at Auckland University. After graduating, he became a political journalist for the New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation, before moving to South Australia in 1977 to become a press secretary, speech writer and adviser to three South Australian Labor Premiers, including the late Don Dunstan. He was first elected to the South Australian Parliament in 1985 as the Member for Briggs, later Ramsay.
In December 1989 he was elected to the Labor Cabinet under Premier John Bannon, as Minister for Employment and Further Education, Minister for Youth Affairs, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Minister Assisting in Ethnic Affairs. In September 1992 he became Minister for Business and Regional Development, Minister for Tourism and Minister for State Services. After a brief period as Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Mr Rann became Leader of the Opposition in late 1994.
Mike Rann became South Australia’s 44th Premier after the State election in March 2002 and was re-elected in March 2006. In his first term as Premier, he held the portfolio of Minister for Volunteers; but in the second he was appointed, at his behest, Minister for Sustainability and Climate Change - the first such appointment in Australia. As well as his duties as Premier, Mr Rann has assumed the portfolios of Economic Development, Social Inclusion, the Arts, and Sustainability and Climate Change.
Premier Rann will be officially opening the conference and welcoming delegates to South Australia.
Hon. Alexander Downer
Opening Ceremony, Monday 7 July 2008
Alexander Downer is one of the most influential South Australians of all time. His experience with not only the United Nations, but also with diplomacy and politcs, provides insight and understanding from which all delegates will benefits greatly.
Mr Downer was born on 9 September 1951. After commencing his education in South Australia, he obtained a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Politics and Economics and is a Doctor of Civil Laws (honoris causa) in the United Kingdom. Before entering Federal Parliament, Mr Downer worked as an economist and later diplomat with the Department of Foreign Affairs from 1976 to 1982, serving at the Australian mission to the EEC, Australian Representation to NATO, and Australian Embassy, Belgium and Luxembourg.
Mr Downer was elected Federal Member for Mayo in South Australia in 1984. He served as Shadow Minister in a number of portfolios before becoming Leader of the Opposition in 1994. Mr Downer then became Minister for Foreign Affairs from 11 March 1996 to 2007.
Mr Downer will speak on the theme 'Challenges and change: A time for new thinking' and its relationship to the United Nations.
Sarah Hansen-Young
Panel Debate, Wednesday 9 July 2008
Sarah Hansen-Young is an Australian Senator-elect and member of the South Australian Greens. At the 2007 federal election, she became the youngest person ever elected to the Senate, and the youngest woman ever elected to Australian Parliament, as well as South Australia's first Greens Senator.
As a young, student-activist politician, and president of the Students' Association of the University of Adelaide, Hansen-Young has been active in community groups and NGOs on environmental, human rights, women's and youth related issues, primarily through Amnesty International. She worked on several community projects in Orbost including the establishment of the Orbost Youth Centre.
In 1999 she was awarded "Australia Day Young Citizen of the Year" for Gippsland, Victoria. She was the Environment Officer of the Students' Association of the University of Adelaide in 2001 and in 2002 was elected its President — its first independent president since Natasha Stott Despoja in 1990. Hansen-Young is also a student, partway through a postgraduate law degree and holds a Bachelor's degree in Social Sciences from the University of Adelaide. She is currently employed as the Community Campaigner and South Australian and Northern Territory Regional Coordinator for Amnesty International SA-NT, and has worked as a Greens media advisor.
Dale Elliott
Interactive Forums, Monday 7 July 2008
Dale is an award winning sit-down/stand-up comedian and has travelled across Australia performing at comedy venues and functions explaining the hilarious experiences of his life both in and out of a wheelchair. Dale grew up in South Australia. He obtained his private pilots licence in 1993 when he was 17. He joined the Army as a Soldier after finishing high school. After leaving the Army he studied and gained his qualifications as a Licenced Aircraft Engineer. He then followed his dream of becoming an airline captain after gaining his commercial pilot’s licence. Dale’s life took a rapid diversion in December 2002 after a motorbike accident left him a paraplegic.
Since his accident Dale has mentored many young pilots and has volunteered his experience to youth as a commanding officer within the SA Air Cadets organisation. The experiences that Dale has encountered during his new life in a wheelchair have forced him to think outside the square, regain the confidence to participate and reach out to seize the opportunities around him.
Dale’s story has appeared on Channel 7’s Today Tonight program, highlighting the creation of the trauma and crisis management website, www.imthinkingofyou.com.au which is a world first and Dale’s latest initiative. In April 2007 Dale performed on the stage of the Melbourne Town Hall with an audience of 1500 during the Triple J Raw Comedy Competition National Final, which was later broadcast on ABC television.