Hope 2012

Presented by Sydney Festival and ABC Radio National

We're in the midst of a technological revolution, with the global village spinning ever faster, its economics more precarious and conflicts screaming louder. Yet the Arab Spring and other effective voices inspire us with possibilities for change. Citizens, it seems, have found a way to express themselves confidently and exert political influence.

Join some of Australia's remarkable and surprising thinkers as they speak passionately about the causes closest to their heart and the changes they seek to encourage. Hope 2012 is hosted by Wendy Harmer and includes inspirational Professor Shane Houston from the University of Sydney, comedian and disability advocate Stella Young, international theatre director Nigel Jamieson, activist, writer and social networker Senthorun Raj and human rights campaigner Sophie Peer.

The evening also includes musical performances from Sydney songstress Holly Throsby, urban troubadour Perry Keyes and Stiff Gins, transporting us with their stunning harmonies.

Hope 2012 will be available to download at abc.net.au/rn soon.

Speaker Biographies

Wendy Harmer 

Wendy Harmer is one of Australia's best-known humourists. She performed her one-woman shows on the West End, at the Sydney Theatre Company and at the Melbourne, Edinburgh, Montreal and Glasgow Mayfest Comedy Festivals. Wendy enjoyed huge popularity leading Sydney radio station 2Day FM's top-rating Breakfast Show for 11 years, and recently recorded a 16 part podcasting series with Angela Catterns for ABC Radio Local called IS IT JUST ME?. She has hosted, written and appeared in a variety of TV shows including ABC's THE BIG GIG and STUFF, a four-part television documentary series which premiered on ABC TV in March 2008.

A former political journalist, Wendy is the author of eight books for adults including her best-selling novel FAREWELL MY OVARIES with her latest novel FRIENDS LIKE THESE published in April 2011. Her highly successful children's book series PEARLIE IN THE PARK (2003) has sold over 600,000 copies worldwide.

Professor Shane Houston 

Professor Shane Houston is the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Strategy and Services) at the University of Sydney. He is an activist for aboriginal equality and a descendant of Queensland's Gangulu people.

Shane has an extensive background in education and health with a PhD from Curtin University exploring the way Aboriginal values are incorporated into health funding decisions. He is dedicated to building a fairer and more compassionate Australia and is currently working on integrated strategies to advance Indigenous participation, engagement, education and research.

Nigel Jamieson

Nigel Jamieson is one of the world's leading theatre directors. Originating in London, Nigel has worked at Trickster Theatre Co, and has founded the London Festival of New Circus and the London International Workshop Festival.

In Australia, Nigel has directed many large scale events including Tin Symphony for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Opening Ceremony and the Closing Ceremony of Commonwealth Games in Manchester in 2002.

Nigel's theatre work includes multi-award winning shows such as the Indonesian collaboration The Theft of Sita, All of Me, and Wake Baby which have all toured extensively worldwide. Honour Bound his 1997 production about Guantanamo Bay, was named Best Mainstage Production and Best New Australian Work at the 2006 Sydney Theatre Awards.

During the last two years he has worked closely with the Elcho Island Indigenous community of North East Arnhem land and the Chooky Dancers, recently producing Ngurrumillmarramiriyu. Other recent projects include a work about Gallipoli for the Sydney Theatre Company and direction of Festival First Night for Sydney Festival.

Nigel is the director of As the World Tipped, an aerial show created in reaction to the Copenhagen Climate Change conference.

Sophie Peer 

Sophie Peer is the Campaign Manager for ChilOut (Children Out of Immigration Detention) and has long been a human rights campaigner and advocate for change. Sophie's career and sense of citizens being able to seize the day began under her first employer, the Commonwealth Government. Sophie has worked and volunteered for non-government organisations of all sizes both in Australia and overseas, her passion lies in ensuring that human rights are universally upheld and that rights holders are heard.

Senthorun Raj 

Senthorun Raj is currently the NSW President of Amnesty International Australia. He is an activist, writer and social networker with a passion for social justice, cultural studies and politics.

Senthorun completed a Bachelor of Arts (Honours Class I and University Medal) majoring in Gender and Cultural Studies at the University of Sydney, his honours thesis examined constructions of sexuality and persecution in refugee law in Australia. He is currently in the process of finishing a law degree and is working as the Senior Policy Advisor for the Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby (NSW).

He writes regularly on matters relating to sexuality and politics, and has published papers on human rights, sexuality and refugee law, intimacy and citizenship, gay male domestic violence and racist humour. 

Senthorun was also a keynote speaker for Amnesty International's 50th Anniversary Human Rights Conference in 2011.

Stella Young 

Stella Young is a disability activist, comedian and the editor of ABC Ramp Up, an online space for robust debate and discussion about disability.

Stella has a Bachelor of Journalism from Deakin University and a Diploma of Education from the University of Melbourne. Based in Melbourne she worked as senior programs officer at Melbourne Museum form 2007-2010.

She's also thoroughly obsessed with knitting.