Experts debate democracy at Victoria University
From 31 July to 4 August, Victoria’s Democracy Week will bring together internationally recognised experts, politicians, political commentators and young leaders from New Zealand and around the world.
Over the course of the week a series of lunchtime panels and debates will be held at Victoria’s Kelburn Campus, while a number of evening sessions will be open to the public at the University’s Pipitea Campus and the National Library in central Wellington. This includes sessions on populism, women’s political representation and whether New Zealand should adopt a written constitution.
Events throughout the week will explore topics such as electoral participation, voter behaviour, youth political engagement and political campaigning in the age of social media.
Democracy Week reflects Victoria’s leadership in promoting thought and discourse around advancing better government, one of eight areas of focus for the University.
Pro Vice-Chancellor and Dean of Law, Professor Mark Hickford, says, “In bringing these people together, we’ll be showcasing one of Victoria’s key strengths—our ability to act as a hub of discussion, debate and analysis of the critical issues affecting us as New Zealanders, and as global citizens.”
Democracy Week runs from 31 July to 4 August. Media are welcome to attend all events.
Democracy Week events:
Monday 31 July
12.30–1.30pm: If young people voted
The Hub, Kelburn Campus
Speakers:
- Andrew Becroft, Children’s Commissioner
- Rory Lenihan-Ikin, VUWSA President
- Laura O'Connell Rapira, Rock Enrol co-founder
- Josiah Tualamali'i, Pacific Youth Leadership and Transformation Council Chair
- Bronwyn Wood, Victoria University citizenship education expert (chair)
Tuesday 1 August
12.30–1.30pm: Make New Zealand vote again
The Hub, Kelburn Campus
Speakers:
- Kate McMillan, Victoria University comparative politics expert
- John Dryzek, University of Canberra democracy and governance expert
- Megan Whelan, RNZ's Community Engagement Editor
- Bryce Edwards, New Zealand politics expert (chair)
5.45–7pm: Constitutional blueprints
Lecture Theatre 2 (GBLT2), rear courtyard, Old Government Buildings, 55 Lambton Quay
Speakers:
- Andrew Butler, Partner, Russell McVeagh
- Moana Jackson, Ngāti Kahungunu and Ngāti Porou, Convenor of Matike Mai Aotearoa—the Independent Working Group on Constitutional Transformation
- Marcelo Rodriguez Ferrere, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Law, University of Otago
- Linda Clark, Special Counsel, Kensington Swan (chair)
Wednesday 2 August
12.30–1.30pm: Wellington Central Candidates’ Debate
The Hub, Kelburn Campus
Speakers:
- Grant Robertson (Labour)
- James Shaw (Greens)
- Nicola Willis (National)
- Geoff Simmons (TOP)
5.45–7pm: Populism versus deliberative democracy
Lecture Theatre 2 (GBLT2), rear courtyard, Old Government Buildings, 55 Lambton Quay
Speakers:
- John Dryzek, Centenary Professor in the Centre for Deliberative Democracy and Global Governance, University of Canberra
- Simon Jackman, Professor and Chief Executive Officer, United States Studies Centre, University of Sydney
- Janine Hayward, Professor in the Department of Politics, University of Otago (chair)
Thursday 3 August
12.30–1.30pm: Political campaigning: News feeds vs newspapers
The Hub, Kelburn Campus
Speakers:
- David Farrar, pollster and Kiwiblog editor (National)
- Danyl Mclauchlan, novelist and Dim-Post blogger (Greens)
- Rob Salmond, political analyst, blogger (Labour)
- Jennifer Lees-Marshment, University of Auckland political marketing expert
- Kate McMillan, Victoria University comparative politics expert (chair)
5.30–7.30pm: Film screening—No (2012)
Memorial Theatre, Student Union Building, Kelburn Campus
5.30–6.45pm: Women’s political representation in New Zealand and abroad
Te Ahumairangi (ground floor), National Library, corner Molesworth and Aitken Streets
Speaker:
- Hilde Coffé, Associate Professor in Comparative Politics, Victoria University
Friday 4 August
12.30–1.30pm: What’s the worst that could happen?
The Hub, Kelburn Campus
Speakers:
- Max Harris, The New Zealand Project author
- Bronwyn Hayward, University of Canterbury political science expert
- Simon Jackman, CEO, US Studies Centre, University of Sydney
- Holly Walker, ex-MP, author of The Whole Intimate Mess (chair)