Festival of Dangerous Ideas

Democracy has often been presented as an ideal, where citizens can participate and benefit from a fair society. But as we face growing inequality, political turmoil, and loss of faith in modern life, the price of preserving democracy might be proving too steep.    Masha Gessen is an opinion columnist for The New York Times and a Distinguished Professor at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at the City University of New York. They have written extensively on The Russian-Ukrainian war, Israel/Palestine, Vladimir Putin, and Donald Trump.  Paul Ham is an author and former Sunday Times correspondent, with a Master’s degree from the London School of Economics. Paul lives in Paris and devotes his time to writing history and (when possible) to teaching Narrative History at Sciences Po, France’s preeminent tertiary school for the humanities. David Runciman is Professor of Politics at the University of Cambridge and was Head of the Department of Politics and International Studies from 2014-2018. Chaired by journalist, Geraldine Doogue.

The process of global collapse has begun – driven by the damage we have caused to the Earth’s natural systems. And governments and corporations aren’t going to save us.  So are we going to cling to our old individual ways of fighting each other for the final scraps? Or should we adapt and support each other through this transition?  Sociologist Jem Bendell says while it might be too late for the breakdown of society, it’s not too late to figure out how we want to survive this crisis, together. Jem Bendell is a graduate of the University of Cambridge, with twenty years of experience in sustainable business and finance, as a researcher, educator, facilitator, advisor, & entrepreneur, having lived & worked in six countries. Clients for his strategy development included international corporations, UN agencies and international NGOs. The World Economic Forum (WEF) recognised Professor Bendell as a Young Global Leader for his work on sustainable business alliances. 

The increase in mental health and neurodivergent diagnoses in recent years indicates that we’re more aware of our brains than ever before.   Does improved social awareness, self-identification, representation and access mean we’ve reached a turning point in the way we acknowledge and treat mental health and neurodivergence in society? Or are we at risk of over-pathologising ourselves and the world around us? Alice Dawkins is the Executive Director of Reset.Tech Australia, a policy organisation with a focus on regulating digital risks and online harms.  Sandersan Onie is an award-winning researcher at the Black Dog Institute and Harvard Medical School and is passionate about a mentally healthier world, especially how culture, AI, and tech can contribute to this vision.  Jean M. Twenge, Professor of Psychology at San Diego State University, is the author of more than 180 scientific publications and seven books, including Generations: The Real Differences between Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, Boomers and Silents—and What They Mean for America’s Future and iGen: Why Today’s Super-Connected Kids Are Growing Up Less Rebellious. Sonny Jane Wise is an Autistic Bipolar ADHDer, who offers a powerful and relatable voice in the neurodiversity space. Their books resources, workshops and talks have led to organisations and services adopting a neurodiversity affirming framework and embedding inclusion within their policies.  Chaired by journalist, radio presenter, and podcaster Natasha Mitchell.

Masculinity has become a battle ground. From the gender pay gap, to domestic violence and rape, the idea of what it means to be a man has been heavily scrutinised in recent times.  Meanwhile the gender wars – fuelled by mainstream conservatives, technology and social media – has shifted society’s ideas in a dangerous direction. Has the recent focus on women had a negative effect on masculinity? Are men and boy’s feelings of shame and exclusion contributing to a crisis? And is masculinity necessarily toxic?  Tarang Chawla is an award-winning keynote speaker, writer, advocate and recovering lawyer. He serves as Commissioner at the Victorian Multicultural Commission where he works to bring the voices and lived experiences of culturally diverse people to policymakers. He is also the co-founder of Not One More Niki, a grassroots non-profit working to end men’s violence against women. Professor Michael Flood is an internationally recognised researcher on men, masculinities, and gender, violence against women, and violence prevention.  Anna Krien is an author and regular contributor to The Monthly magazine and The Saturday Paper.  Chaired by anthropologist and the founder of Habitus, Monty Badami.  

In an age of creeping authoritarianism, anyone who questions the logic of competing narratives when it comes to historical conflicts risks being silenced. Russian American journalist Masha Gessen says however, in order to learn from history we have to question our world and recognise the signs of when we're sliding into darkness.  Gessen examines how the intersection of history, memory, propaganda and censorship enforces the narratives of today – and what happens when narrative becomes dogma. Masha Gessen is an opinion columnist for The New York Times and a Distinguished Professor at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at the City University of New York. They have written extensively on The Russian-Ukrainian war, Israel/Palestine, Vladimir Putin, and Donald Trump. They have won numerous awards, including the George Polk Award, the Hannah Arendt Prize for Political Thinking, and the National Book Award.  Chaired by journalist Hamish Macdonald.

The culture wars are seeping out of the real world and infiltrating our pages and stages.  Art has always traversed unfamiliar and even dangerous territory. But with recent calls to boycott cultural institutions, donors pulling funding, and the cancellation of works and talent, are some discussions too fraught to engage with? Louise Adler is the Director of Adelaide Writers’ Week. She has spent over 30 years in the culture business and continues to be committed to the dissemination of dangerous ideas. Brook Garru Andrew is an artist, curator and writer who is driven by the collisions of intertwined narratives emerging from the mess of the “Colonial Wuba (hole)”. His practice is grounded in his perspective as a Wiradjuri and Celtic person from Australia. Violette Ayad was born on Whadjuk Noongar Boodja to Palestinian and Lebanese parents. She is now based on Gadigal land where she works as an actor, writer, director, and voice artist.  Gil Beckwith has a significant career in the Arts and Not For Profit industry in senior finance and administration management roles. Her working career spans over 40 years and includes working for Sydney Theatre Company, Melbourne Festival, the Victorian AIDS Council, and most recently CEO of Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. Emile Sherman is an Academy Award and Emmy Award-winning film and television producer who co-founded See-Saw Films in 2008. Based in Sydney and London, See-Saw Films has worked with many of the world’s leading filmmakers and actors.  Chaired by philosopher and Executive Director of The Ethics Centre, Simon Longstaff.

The world order that we’ve lived with for most of our lives is experiencing a tectonic shift. We’ve experienced unprecedented levels of growth and prosperity – but as a growing cohort of demagogues and autocrats continue to lead our world, there is something quite telling in how populations are responding to our levels of ‘success’.  Is our world order functioning the way it was set up to? And how do we decide who best represents our decisions and values?  Avani Dias is a reporter with Four Corners and was the ABC’s South Asia correspondent in India for the past two-and-a-half years.  Cheng Lei is a bilingual and bicultural TV journalist who worked in Shanghai, Singapore and Beijing for 18 years for CNBC and China’s state TV English channel. Hamish Macdonald is an award-winning journalist who has covered wars, disasters, and major world events.  Professor Weaver is the founding Director of the Tech Policy Design Centre at the Australian National University.  Chaired by journalist Matt Bevan.  

Are you BOLD, BRAVE and CURIOUS? FODI is back, baby. We’ve gathered the world's best for a weekend of provocation and inspiration. 87 speakers and artists including 16 international guests across 88 sessions at Carriageworks, Sydney for one massive weekend of danger. Presented by The Ethics Centre, FODI is a place to come and be curious together. A sanctuary where all are welcome. Safe from hype. Safe to listen. And safe to ask hard questions.  Satisfy your taste for danger, tickets won’t last long. 2024 PROGRAM LIVE AND ON SALE NOW at festivalofdangerousideas.com

Festival of Dangerous Ideas (FODI) returns to Carriageworks on 24-25 August 2024.  Offering a haven for exploration and a harbour for the curious, FODI 2024's theme, Sanctuary allows audiences to engage with the ideas behind the headlines of the 24 hour news cycle. In a litany of entrenched ideas, shallow information and self-censorship, we desperately need a space where we can engage with challenging ideas in good faith. FODI 2024 is an opportunity to hear powerful and provocative speakers from around the world talk on important and rousing topics. And also a space, a sanctuary, where audiences can engage with these ideas in a way that we, unfortunately, can’t in the wild. In FODI's Sanctuary you are safe from hype and safe to listen and to ask questions. Program announcement and tickets on sale in June. Sign up for the latest updates: https://festivalofdangerousideas.com/

What is the purpose of democracy when it’s become more challenging than ever to tell the left and right apart?  Journalist and filmmaker, Tariq Ali says Western democracy has failed and we are now seeing the emergence of an extreme centre, which ensures no challenges to this form of neoliberal politics is permitted.  Tariq Ali is a British-Pakistani political commentator and a prolific writer, journalist and filmmaker. He has been a leading figure of the international left since the 1960s. His books include The Duel: Pakistan on the Flightpath of American Power, The Obama Sydrome and The Extreme Centre: A Warning.