Melbourne Forum gives you access to the highest level of expertise and real-world lessons that our conversation leaders – all with a reputation for excellence – bring to the table under the Chatham House rule.
Further insights or resources are explored on Digital Dialogues or Ex Libris.
Events Search and Views Navigation
September 2020
Life and Times – Living on Digital Platforms
A Melbourne Forum Interest Group
Hosted by Nicholas Jackson
Keeping up work and social life means moving between multiple digital platforms each day and learning many new skills. How do we do it? And what effects is it having on our communication or well-being? Let's talk about digital platforms, who and what they are,…
Find out more »Secret Trials in Australia
Take a break with Julian Burnside AO QC
Hosted by Ian Dunn AM
The decision by the Commonwealth Government to prosecute a former Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS) officer and his lawyer Bernard Collaery has caused great consternation among Australian lawyers and commentators who are concerned about the rule of law and human rights. And the news that…
Find out more »Post pandemic school system: Catalyst for change or retreat to safety?
Take a break with Jim Watterston
Hosted by Nicholas Jackson
The continuing impact of COVID-19 on schools and school systems around the world, and more particularly in Australia, has (to paraphrase Mark Twain) been the best of times and the worst of times. Teachers have been lauded for their front-line leadership capacity and innovation that…
Find out more »Viewpoint Diversity
A Melbourne Forum Interest Group
Hosted by Dr Michael Liffman
While the extent of the ‘cancel culture’ phenomenon may sometimes be exaggerated, I believe that the milder claim - that we operate in opinion ‘bubbles - is largely true, and a real threat to Australia’s civil society. Our political system, our media, and the innate…
Find out more »Life and Times – Maintaining Creative Excellence
A Melbourne Forum Interest Group
Hosted by Nicholas Jackson
Rob McGuaran, a Director of a busy and successful Architecture Practice and an Educator, will lead us in discussion of how to continue to exercise creative minds, maintain a culture of creative thinking and mentor whilst working remotely, during a Pandemic! We may all be…
Find out more »What the hotel quarantine Inquiry has shown us
Take a break with Michael Bachelard
Hosted by Ian Dunn AM
On 2 July, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced a judicial inquiry would be held into the COVID-19 hotel quarantine program established as part of the response to the coronavirus pandemic. The inquiry was established to examine the decisions and actions of government agencies, hotel operators…
Find out more »October 2020
Viewpoint Diversity
A Melbourne Forum Interest Group
Hosted by Dr Michael Liffman
"Following an initial exploration of our varying understanding of this issue at our first session I hope we can bring further focus (and a few more participants) to our discussion through the links which have been put on our discussion board, especially the talk by…
Find out more »Non-Fiction Book Group: Twilight of Democracy
A Melbourne Forum Interest Group
Hosted by Peter Lamell
Are we repeating 1930s authoritarianism? 'Given the right conditions, any society can turn against democracy. Indeed, if history is anything to go by, all of our societies eventually will’ is the bleak prognosis for liberal democracy in this book which blends deeply-felt memoir with cool…
Find out more »How does Australia fit in the China worldview?: An Insider perspective
Take a break with Daryl Guppy
Hosted by Nina Christesen
What is the real purpose of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)? What is the impact of BRI on the future economic stability and prosperity of Australia? What does Australia forego by not participating? Australia understands U.S. trade policy in fine detail and considerable multi-agency…
Find out more »The US election and its aftermath
Take a break with David Rosenbloom
Hosted by John Ridley AM
Staged against the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic, the 2020 US presidential election campaign has been like no other and it continues to offer plenty of intrigue. The highly anticipated first debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden quickly descended into chaos. Then Trump contracted COVID-19…
Find out more »