Former State Premier to talk at UQ 2009 Diversity Week

Australia's first female State Premier and former Federal Health Minister Professor Carmen Lawrence will participate in a lively discussion on different worldviews as part of UQ Diversity Week 2009 celebrations.

The theme of UQ Diversity Week 2009 (May 25-29), In Others' Shoes, challenges the wider community to consider the world through multiple lenses - to reflect upon how a person's worldviews are shaped by the people and societal beliefs around them.

The week culminates with the presentation of the Vice Chancellor's Equity and Diversity Awards (May 28), with a panel discussion as part of the celebrations.

Professor Lawrence and Professor Kevin Clements, Director of the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies at The University of Otago, New Zealand, are guest panellists.

Some of Professor Clements's career highlights include Secretary General of International Alert, based in London; the Vernon and Minnie Lynch Professor of Conflict Resolution and Director of the Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University; and Head of the Peace Research Centre at the Australian National University.

The Vice Chancellor's Equity and Diversity Awards is a free event for UQ staff, students and their guests.

UQ Senior Deputy Vice Chancellor Professor Michael Keniger said Diversity Week allowed the University to connect with the community and celebrate its many different religious, cultural, sexual and ethnic backgrounds.

"This is the ninth year the event will be held illustrating its immense success within and beyond the University," Professor Keniger said.

"Diversity Week enables the University to focus the attention of students and staff on fundamental issues to do with the core values that sustain and inform the many elements and groups that together constitute society."

Those interested in attending the Vice Chancellor's Equity and Diversity Awards can register at http://www.uq.edu.au/diversity-week/index.htm or by contacting Kristy Gan k.gan@uq.edu.au.

Media: Eliza Plant at UQ Communications (07 3365 2619)