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Burning questions: Will we choose transformation and sustainability or apocalypse?
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Burning questions: Will we choose transformation and sustainability or apocalypse?

Jim Nyland Professor
Campus Review
16/12/2019

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Abstract

It is noteworthy how far we have come in defining and shaping a concept of engagement. Universities in Australia are helping to build the future, in partnership with others across the globe also, as part of a new economic and social order. The scope of issues and themes they are dealing with is literally breath-taking. From the intellectual issues of a post-truth world to cities and communities of the future Australia, and from action strategies for economic development to the meaning of civic life – there are insightful and hopefully controversial and stimulating debates and ideas put before those involved in university engagement … and the general public. Ideas tested in healthy and open debate and put into the public domain are the lifeblood of democratic engagement. Engagement Australia (EA) has been immersed in this culture of debate and challenge. So far so good. We have an array of vital issues before us, each one of which is significant in itself. The contributions selected for discussion will help us to think through difficult challenges and reach decisions in our ‘heimat’ – our own place and locality and culture where it will be meaningful, or not! This is exactly the point in having debates and is why the Australian government’s recent intervention to assure freedom of speech in our universities is timely.

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