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Media Release

September 10 2009

Former high court judge talks cultural equity at UniSA

Unity DowBotswana’s first female high court judge, Unity Dow, will focus on the global impasse caused by rejection of traditional values in developing countries by the developed world - and the need for change, at the second annual UniSA Nelson Mandela Lecture.
 
Now retired as a judge, but still a practising author and human rights advocate, Dow uses the diamond ring versus the cow, both marriage symbols but which yield vastly different reactions, to underline the dilemma of the West’s ascendancy in a globalised world. 
 
 “There will be no true partnership between the developed countries and developing countries until there is true respect of the cultures and traditions of the latter,” she says.
 
“Developing countries must insist on a respectful place within the village and one place to start is a re-claiming of the right to define their issues.”
 
Jointly presented by the School of Law and the Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre, the lecture is already fully booked and will take place this coming Wednesday at UniSA’s City West Campus.
 
The purpose of UniSA’s Nelson Mandela lectures is to promote the fundamental rights and freedoms of individuals and the value of truth and reconciliation in life and public affairs. The event also celebrates Mandela as an Honorary Doctor of UniSA and the Hawke Centre’s international patron.
 
Hawke Centre Director, Elizabeth Ho says that Dow’s lecture is an important step towards breaking down cultural barriers globally.
 
“The need to respect cultural traditions is something that every Australian should consider,” she says.
 
“Dow has fought for the rights of women and children in Africa and has a unique point of view that is unlikely to be heard in any other forum.”
 
Event details:
2nd Nelson Mandela Lecture
Through their eyes: Of diamond rings and cows – diamonds are for love and cows are for?
Wednesday 16th September 2009
6.00pm for a 6.15pm start
Allan Scott Auditorium, Hawke Building, UniSA City West campus
For more information visit www.hawkecentre.unisa.edu.au

 


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