About one in five Australians is grappling with a mental illness at some point in his life and the number is growing. Stigma is - still today - the main obstacle to progress in the field of mental health. Why is this stigma so difficult to overcome and how can we develop effective intervention against...

'Greater freedom’ is the new buzz word in Australian politics. The federal government plans to repeal the “hate speech” provisions of the Racial Discrimination Act – effectively removing the restriction to offend, insult or humiliate people because of their race. So what does freedom mean in Australia and do existing laws really limit our freedoms...

The evolving use of large datasets is prompting intense debates on privacy and security. From medical records through to GPS signals, the ability to collect large amounts of data holds great potential for innovation and productivity. But governments are grappling with the problems of how the data is harvested and how to govern its use...

Many say that continuous growth unsustainable. But if ‘de-growth’ is unstable, what are we to do? This panel discussion from the recent Sustainable Living Festival looks not at the problem, but at possible solutions. How do we transition to a more sustainable system? Guests Richard Denniss Executive Director of The Australia Institute and Adjunct Associate...

The internet has spawned an alternative economy, connecting consumers who want to swap, share and rent goods and services rather than buy from conventional retailers. So is this good for the community and the planet? Join the panel at the Festival of Sydney as they discuss collaborative consumption. Guests Ross Gittens, Economics Editor, Sydney Morning...