We are happy to launch the Indian Newslink Sir Anand Satyanand Lecture 2014 with the announcement that Sir Donald McKinnon, former Commonwealth Secretary General and former Foreign Minister & Deputy Prime Minister will be the Guest Speaker and that Hon Phil Goff, Member of Parliament and former Foreign Minister and Former Trade Minister will be the Master of Ceremonies.
Sir Don is currently the Chair of Regional Facilities Auckland, prior to which he was the Chief Executive Officer of the Auckland War Memorial Museum.
The Lecture, fourth in an annual series, will be held on Monday, July 28, 2014 at Pullman Hotel in Auckland City. The event will include cocktails and networking, dinner, the main Lecture and question and answer session.
Radio Tarana is the Title Sponsor of the Lecture this year.
Democracy challenged
Sir Don’s role as the Guest Speaker at this year’s Lecture comes at a time when the world faces challenges to democracy generally, and, against the many democratic institutions that have been built over the last 500 years.
He will examine the problems and challenges that we face as a result of people’s disillusionment with democracy or those who are looking seriously at other forms of government.
“The volume of discussion in recent times in international magazines suggests we have to positively respond to this environment or lose the argument by default in favour of systems that have superficial appeal, lack a substantial foundation and have no real evidence of working,” he said.
Sir Don will look at new governing moves in Russia, why China has done so well recently, why many Latin American countries resist true democratic institutions, why military dictators look appealing and why some countries do not seem to suit democracy.
He will expound on the fact that it is only true democracy that can give all peoples real increasing standards of living.
“More oxygen is needed so the role that New Zealand can play locally, regionally and globally will also be addressed,” Sir Don said.
A profile of Sir Don and details of the Lecture will appear in our next issue.
For more information, please write to editor@indiannewlsink.co.nz
