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Darwin Day - Art, Beauty, and Human Evolution

Thursday, 12 February 2009, 5.45pm - 7pm

A celebration of the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin, and the Australian launch of The Art Instinct by Denis Dutton, presented by The Centre for Independent Studies.

12 February 2009 marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of one of the most important and influential thinkers in the history of science, Charles Darwin.

The Centre for Independent Studies is pleased to host a tribute to Charles Darwin in an address by Professor Denis Dutton, founder and editor of the much-praised website, Arts & Letters Daily. Dutton is in Australia to launch his new book, The Art Instinct: Beauty, Pleasure, and Human Evolution, published by Oxford University Press.

[Click here] for more information

CIS Cinema presents UK documentary 'Flush It'

Monday, 15 December 2008 at 7pm

“Today, the default attitude is to reduce our ‘footprint’ on the planet. Rather than regard the lack of sanitation as a planetary emergency, the conclusion reached by many today is that it is better for people to (use) unsanitary holes in the ground than to build anything as grand as a modern sewage system.”

From a review by Rob Lyons, Spiked Online

The Centre for Independent Studies is pleased to present another international documentary on Monday, 15 December 2008 at 7pm. Recently premiered at the Battle of Ideas festival in London, Flush It, a film by WORLDwrite and Chew on it Productions, looks at the global water scarcity myth, third world development, and big thinking in relation to sanitation and water infrastructure. The film also addresses aspirational apartheid; the outrageous Western idea that, rather than aspiring to convenient and civilized living standards, Africans are content with pit latrines, mud and hauling jars of water for miles.

Join us for an eye-opening (and sometimes stomach-churning) look into the history of The Great Stink of London, the Victorians forward-thinking and grand sanitation schemes, and the not-so-humble loo.

There is no charge for this event but bookings are essential. To RSVP please telephone or email Holly Hamilton, Events Assistant, on (02) 9438 4377 or hhamilton@cis.org.au, before 11 December.

The Centre for Independent Studies
Level 4, 38 Oxley Street, St Leonards

The CIS is close to the St Leonards train station, and parking is available across the road at the Hume Street Car Park.

We look forward to flushing away derisory ideas about certain “cultural differences”!

CIS Crisis Commentary Roundtables -
Observer Seats Available for CIS Members

Wednesday, 12 November 2008
The Ban on Short Selling: Help or Hindrance?

Wednesday, 26 November 2008
Depositor Protection and Government Bailouts

Monday, 8 December 2008
The End of Capitalism? Exploring the Global Financial Crisis

As the world watches the financial crisis with bated breath, The Centre for Independent Studies will present a series of roundtables to discuss the underlying causes of the global financial crisis, appropriate regulatory responses, and the future of Australian and global markets.

Australia is arguably in a strong position compared with the rest of the world, and our financial house is in reasonably good order. But with daily references in the media and on the street to the Great Depression, is it likely that we will experience a downturn of such dramatic and dire proportions? Walt Disney’s famous animated film of 1933, The Three Little Pigs, was widely touted as an allegory for the Depression; seventy-five years on, is the wolf at our door again?

Join economists, business leaders, academics, and financial commentators for these critical and in-depth discussions of the crisis, with short formal presentations to stimulate discussion amongst all participants. Please note that this event will be filmed, and attended by the media.
A publication of the proceedings will be produced.

[Click here] for more information

Flight of the Kiwi: Perspectives of NZ/Australian Migration

Tuesday, 20 January 2009

A forum for NZ expats that asks (in the nicest possible way!) the question: What would it take for you to move home? We’ll discuss why you left your home country and what changes would need to occur before you would consider moving back. The forum will cover the wage gap between Australia and New Zealand, career development, infrastructure and social issues.

Venue and time TBC. Full details will be available shortly. To register your interest in attending, please email CIS Events Assistant, Holly Hamilton, at hhamilton@cis.org.au.