A former United Nations director will suggest the key to Australia’s future is a shift in focus from chasing wealth to achieving wellbeing when he delivers a public lecture at the University of Newcastle tonight.

Prominent social and political science academic Professor John Langmore will present Powerlessness and hope: strengthening the security, justice and vitality of Australian Society.

Professor Langmore believes Australia is on the right track to achieving social equality and will offer his theories on how the process may be accelerated. He argues that a shift in society’s preoccupation with materialism to social equality is a necessity.

Professor Langmore is a Professorial Fellow in the School of Social and Political Sciences at the University of Melbourne. He worked in Papua New Guinea as a public servant. In 1984, he was elected as Federal MP for Fraser, a position held until 1996.

Professor Langmore joined the United Nations as Director of the Division for Social Policy and Development.

The free public lecture will be jointly hosted by the Research Institute for Social Inclusion and Wellbeing and the Social Work program in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences.

The lecture will be held from 7pm–9pm on Thursday 27 October at the Conservatorium of Music, Corner Auckland and Laman Streets, Newcastle. Media are welcome.

For more information please contact Camilla Fisher, Executive Officer, Research Institute for Social Inclusion and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle on 02 4985 4173 or Camilla.Fisher@newcastle.edu.au.

To arrange an interview with Professor Langmore, please contact Media and Public Relations Officer Carmen Swadling on 02 4985 4276 or 0428 038 477.