Hugh Stretton Oration 2021: On Life's Lottery with Professor Glyn Davis AC
19 February 2021
A child from an impoverished background is five times – five times - more likely to suffer adult poverty Glyn Davis
TheÌýStretton InstituteÌýhosted the inaugural Hugh Stretton OrationÌý'On Life's Lottery'ÌýfeaturingÌýProfessor Glyn Davis AC in the historic Elder Hall on the evening of 18 February 2021.Ìý
L-R) Professor PeterÌýHøj AC, Vice-Chancellor and President, The ³ÉÈË´óƬ; Professor Adam Graycar, Director, Stretton Institute; Mrs Pat Stretton; Professor Jacqueline Lo, Pro Vice-Chancellor (International), The ³ÉÈË´óƬ; The Reverend Peter Sandeman, Anglican Canon for Social Justice and Advocacy;Ìýand Professor Faye McCallum, Head of School of Education, The ³ÉÈË´óƬ.Ìý
The evening began with a welcome by the ³ÉÈË´óƬ's Pro Vice-Chancellor (International), Professor Jacqueline Lo. This was followed by an opening address and introduction of the orator, , CEO of the , by the Vice-Chancellor,ÌýProfessor Peter Høj AC.
In his oration, Professor Davis, who joined the event from Melbourne, discussed the role of government and charities in addressing intergenerational poverty.
Professor Davis highlighted the scale of disadvantage in Australia, with some 3.24 million Australians (or 13 % of the population) livingÌýbelow the poverty line, three-quarters of a million being children. He noted that while Australia isÌýa proudÌýmeritocratic society, social mobility remains highly constrained for the most disadvantaged. For the child, theÌýlonger theyÌýspendÌýin poverty, the worse theirÌýlikely socio-economic outcomes.
In the true tradition of Hugh Stretton, Professor Davis believes the solution in addressing poverty lies withÌýpolicy innovation and experiments which build on what works. There must beÌýtheÌýcourage to abandon old ideas and embrace new approaches, and well-led collaborative partnerships betweenÌýgovernments, communities andÌýorganisations working towardsÌýa commonÌýagenda through a shared measurement system, mutually reinforcing activities, continuous dialogue and a backbone organisation (also known asÌýcollective impact).ÌýÌý
A panel discussion facilitated by Professor Lo followed Professor Davis' oration. Joining them on stage wereÌýthe Reverend Peter Sandeman, Anglican Canon for Social Justice and Advocacy and former CEO of Anglicare SAÌýand Professor Faye McCallum, Head ofÌýSchool of Education at the University.Ìý
The event was also part of The University ofÌýAdelaide'sÌýIn Conversation WithÌýseries, featuring global speakers and attendees.ÌýA full recording of the oration including the panel discussion can be foundÌý.ÌýA copy of Professor Davis' oration can be found here.
The oration was also featured as an ABC Big Ideas podcast entitledÌý.
