Melbourne July 2008 -Updated
Can The Developing World Survive Climate Change?
Opportunities and challenges for developing countries. What can we do?
On Wednesday the 30th July 2008 the Inaugural One Just World Forum was held.
This forum explored the impacts of climate change on the global community, especially in developing countries. It looked at the science, the role of governments, gender impacts, community collaboration and how we might together address the interests and needs of those at greatest risk.
MODERATOR
Peter Mares – Journalist with the ABC for more than 20 years who currently presents The National Interest on ABC Radio National (Fridays at 6pm and Sundays at noon). Peter is also an author and an adjunct research fellow with the Institute for Social Research at Swinburne University of Technology.
HOST
The Hon Bob McMullan MP. Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance
In February 1988, Bob was sworn in as Senator for the Australian Capital Territory. In 1990 he was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer and in 1991 became Manager of Government Business in the Senate. In 1993 Bob was appointed Minister for the Arts and Administrative Services and became a member of the Cabinet, the first time the Arts portfolio was represented in Cabinet. In January 1994, he was appointed Minister for Trade. Following a redistribution of Canberra’s House of Representative seats, Bob stood for the seat of Canberra in 1996, and was elected. Following a redistribution in 1998, Bob became Member for Fraser. Between 1996 and 2007 Bob held a number of Shadow Ministerial positions. After the election of the Rudd Government in November 2007 Bob was appointed as Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance.
- Listen to Peter’s Introduction and Bob’s Opening Speech
- Download MP3 (Right Click then “Save As”)
SPEAKERS
Dr Graeme Pearman – Noted multiple award winning scientist and committed environmentalist. A science advisor to former US Vice President Al Gore and consultant on Gore’s notable documentary, An Inconvenient Truth. Graeme is recognised nationally and internationally as an expert in research and the impacts of the increasing levels of carbon dioxide in the global atmosphere.
- Listen to Graeme’s speech
- Download MP3 (Right Click then “Save As”)
Professor Robyn Eckersley – Professor in the School of Social and Political Sciences, University of Melbourne. Robyn is a widely recognised expert in environmental philosophy, politics and policy including global environmental politics, particularly the international politics of climate change.
- Listen to Robyn’s speech
- Download MP3 (Right Click then “Save As”)
Dr Brett Parris – Chief Economist and Team Leader of the Economics, Climate & Natural Resources Team at World Vision Australia, and a Research Fellow in the Department of Econometrics & Business Statistics and the Development Research Unit at Monash University. Brett’s work currently focuses on the interactions between climate change, economic development, food security and energy futures.
- Listen to Brett’s speech
- Download MP3 (Right Click then “Save As”)
One Just World is a series of national after-work forums focusing on global poverty and development topics of high public interest and relevance. Our aim is to help Australians become informed and involved in helping the 800 million people worldwide who are fighting to escape the poverty spiral.
Dear Chief,
Greetings from SUN
I am interest to join your good initiateves. please create opportunity.
With best regards,
Nizam Uddin Anon
Executive Director
SUN
Bangladesh
Hi,
As we are discussing one just world, its important to know where the tax payers money is going and especially how it is used. As an Australian citizen paying tax as well i have a few questions about how the Australian aid given to other nation is determined. I am aware that Australia contributes to alot of aid organizations in conflict nations. But is there careful analysis of what the aid is going to be used for and most importantly if it reaching the poeple that really need it.
As Australian with a African background and who still has relatives in in parts of Ethiopia i am astonished to hear terrible things taking place in that region. I am not a too sure how much aid is given to Ethiopia but if Australia is one of the nations who has ties with ethiopia given the close relationship between Australia and America then i think we have an obligation to know where our contribution is being used.
I am student who is just learning about some of the atrocities taking Place in Ogadenia(a region in Ethiopia) which has mainly Somalian natives. The people there live under constant threat and are starving from the worst draught in history. The bigger issue of the situation is the fact the Ethiopian goverment is using the Aid intended for this region as a ransom against the poor natives. This poeple who are targeted as part of the goverments ethnic cleansing are often forced to turn in male relatives who escaped prosecution in order to feed there children. I am aware of this because as native from that region i am constantly a bearer of bad news. I have recently lost my uncles, 3 cousins and many other relatives to this prosecutions which have no justification.
I dont expect anyone to do anything about this but at least if we are aware of situations like this then we can preassure our powerful goverment which has ties to this nation to do something or at least analyse where funding to stop people from starving is been used against them.
If you want to find out more about this all you have to do is type in Ogaden on Youtube.com to get a glimpse of what is hapening in that region.