The current state of industrialised societies is a projection of our collective habits of thought which have created a certain societal structure since the establishment of modern nation states.
These structures were largely formed in the 19th century and are no longer fit for purpose: they have led us down a path of extractivism, excessive consumption and extreme social inequities. Today in the 21st Century, these structures perpetuate multiple environmental, political and economic crises.
In this webinar, we'll explore how societal governance needs to evolve to accommodate what it is to be human in the 21st Century, and this will include a discussion about how sortition and citizens assemblies can facilitate greater civic participation in our economy and society.
ABOUT OUR SPEAKERS
BERNARD THOMSON
Bernard Thomson grew up in the UK and spent the latter part of his adolescent years in southern Germany. He studied economics and philosophy of science at the London School of Economics, where he concluded that an academic career was not for him. His core interests are in social and organisational development. His interests in finance and economics are based on the more fundamental issue about how human society is supported or hindered by our economic and financial structures. He holds a number of positions on various not for profit organisations including Economic Reform Australia, Rethinking Economics Australia, Citizens Assemblies SA and Australian Hemp Council. His thesis is that the society we have reflects our collective imagination and if we want it to change we need to create a new imagination that is aligned with our deeper nature. Bernard is one of NENA's Financial Reform Hub Convenors.
SONIA RANDHAWA
Sonia is a founding member of the Coalition of Everyone, and project manager for the Sortition Foundation. She studied philosophy, politics and economics as an undergraduate, and studied the history of women journalists in Malaysia as a post-graduate. She has worked as a journalist in Australia, Malaysia and the UK, and is still actively involved in campaigns for media freedom and community media in Malaysia. Sonia is one of NENA's Democracy and Governance Hub Convenors.