The Forum in 2013

Be a part of the discussions that matter	Everyone's talking in Sydney … opinions are on tap in any pub. But where can you engage with the people who influence this great nation of Australia? Welcome to The Forum. We invite leaders and experts to engage in fair and reasonable discussion. And it's free!
	March	Technology and a healthy life
	May	Leadership in Australia
	July	Our fascination with stories
	August	Happiness
	October	Social change

On the seventh day… God unplugged
March 13 and 14

Looking at the role of technology and a healthy life.

Karina Keisler is General Manager, Corporate Affairs and Public Relations for Vodafone Australia.

Dr Graham Barker is a retired clinical psychologist, pastor, and author. He enjoys spending time with his family, travelling and fishing.

Justine Toh is a Senior Fellow at the Centre for Public Christianity and an Honorary Associate of the Department of Media, Music, and Cultural Studies at Macquarie University.

Watch the videos

Leading the Aussie way
May 15 and 16

There are some leaders we instinctively warm to, and then there are others we love to loathe.

Why? What attracts us to good leaders? Is it the oratory skills of an Obama, the courage of a Churchill, the vision of a Jobs, the brashness of a Branson or perhaps the humility of a Gandhi?

Against the backdrop of the imminent federal election, our specialist panel will consider if there is anything distinctive about the way Australians lead and respond to leadership. Has Jesus' model of sacrifice and service left an indelible mark on our understanding of true leadership?

John Anderson AO is a former Australian politician. He has served as the Deputy Prime Minister of Australia.

Mark Scott AO is the Managing Director of the ABC. Mark spent almost twelve years in a variety of editorial and executive positions with Fairfax Media.

Andrew Scipione APM is the Commissioner of the New South Wales Police Force.

More details …

Secret Hollywood
Wednesdays in July

Have you ever met anyone who doesn’t like movies? They seem to be the one thing in the world we all enjoy. Why is that? What is it about movies that has this extraordinary universal appeal?

On Wednesdays in July, The Forum will be addressing these questions.

Only on Wednesdays: there will be no Thursday meeting

Change of venue: Telstra auditorium, Level 2, 400 George St (take the lift to Level 2 and turn left)

Adrian Drayton works for Uniting Creative, an agency which serves the communications needs of not-for-profit and small businesses.

Mark Hadley has been writing professionally for more than 20 years. Mark has been reviewing films, television programmes and children’s books for the past ten years.

Ben McEachen has been writing about movies since 2000. He has been the editor of Empire magazine and a freelance film reviewer for national newspapers, radio and television.

More details …

Australia: the happiest place on earth?
July 31 and August 1

Recent worldwide surveys suggest Australia's quality of life should make us the happiest place on earth. Is that the case? What makes for lasting happiness?

1 click 2 end the pain?
October 9 and 10

What is the impact of social networking technology on making social change. Can we make a difference in this new millennium?