The Great Debate: That Australia's History Unites Us

A Social Sciences Week special event
Tuesday 9 September

Student Debate 4:00pm | Refreshments Hour 5:00pm

The Great Debate 6:00pm
NATIONAL LIBRARY OF AUSTRALIA

Join us for an evening of compelling debate as six of Australia's premier academics tackle the complex question of whether Australia's history unites us.

TEAM AFFIRMATIVE:
⭐️ Georgina Downer GAICD, CEO of the Robert Menzies Institute,
⭐️ Professor Jakelin Troy FASSA, Director, Indigenous Research at University of Sydney, and
⭐️ Professor Frank Bongiorno AM FASSA, Professor of History at The Australian National University.

TEAM NEGATIVE
⭐️ Professor Michelle Arrow FASSA, president of the Australian Historical Association,
⭐️ Vonda Malone, former CEO of the Torres Strait Regional Authority, and first female Mayor of the Torres Shire Council,
⭐️Professor Dan Woodman FASSA, TR Ashworth Professor in Sociology at the University of Melbourne .

PLUS

Join us from 4:00pm for an East vs West showdown, as the winners of our Seriously Social Great Student Debate Competition present their positions on the topic.

Travelling to us from central Queensland, we have Calliope State High School and from Western Australia we have Carmel Adventist College.

Hear fresh perspectives from the bright minds of tomorrow.

The Great Student Debate is proudly sponsored by University of Canberra.

Will we have a double win for one side of the debate, or will the night be split?

Will your mind be changed?

Don't miss this thought-provoking event, packed with engaging discussions and opportunities for audience participation. Proudly presented by the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia and the National Library of Australia, the Great Debate promises an evening that will challenge your perspectives and ignite your curiosity.