ABOUT THE EVENT:

The International Day of Nonviolence is symbolically fixed on the anniversary of the birth of Mahatma GANDHI, the Indian thinker and politician who elaborated and applied the philosophy and strategy of nonviolence as early as 1906.

The life and times of Mahatma Gandhi have much to teach the contemporary world. A leader for Indian independence, for an end to racism and to the evils of the caste system, Gandhi gave a lifelong commitment to basic human rights. In pursuit of that goal, he summoned courage, displayed consummate organisational skills, and taught the enduring philosophy, language and practice of non-violence.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:

Tushar Gandhi is the President and Founder of the Mahatma Gandhi Foundation established in India in 1997. Mr. Gandhi is the great-grandson of Mahatma Gandhi and son of Journalist Arun Manilal Gandhi. The Foundation works to continue the legacy of equality, empowerment, and justice for the “have nothing” constituents of our society. Mr. Gandhi is associated with organizations like Lok Seva Trust, Australia India Rural Development Foundation, and the Gandhi Research Foundation.

He is a peace and human rights activist and strives for a world without violence. Mr. Tushar writes and speaks on peace, nonviolence, justice and compassion and liberal ideals and stands against extremism and bigotry. His first book, “Let’s Kill Gandhi!”, a chronicle of the conspiracy and murder of Mahatma Gandhi published in 2007.

Margaret Hepworth is an award-winning Author, Educator and Speaker and a thought leader in peace education. Margaret is the Executive Officer of Initiatives of Change Australia and the founder of The Gandhi Experiment. Margaret's work in peace education has taken her across Australia, India, Pakistan, China and Indonesia. Author of The Gandhi Experiment – Teaching our Teenagers how to become Global Citizens and Collaborative Debating, Margaret has developed tools and strategies for effecting positive change and mindful action. Margaret is the recipient of the Sir John Monash Award for Inspirational Women's Leadership 2016 and the IABCA Community Achievement Excellence Award 2019.

Dr Keith Suter AM is the Managing Director of the Global Directions think tank. He is considered to be one of Australia’s most influential Global futurists and media commentators in national and foreign affairs. He is an economic and social commentator, strategic planner, author and broadcaster.

Dr Keith also teaches political science on the Sydney international campus of Boston University, USA. Additionally, he is the Director of Studies of the Australian Branch of the International Law Association, and NSW Chair of the International Commission of Jurists.

Dr Keith has been a member of the international think tank The Club of Rome since 1993.