Northern Rivers welcomes distinguished guest

Internationally recognised writer and former Under Secretary General of the United Nations, Shashi Tharoor will speak at the Byron Bay Writers Festival and at the Lismore campus of Southern Cross University in the coming week.

Dr Tharoor last year concluded almost 29 years with the United Nations. He was the official candidate of India to succeed Kofi Annan in the office of UN Secretary-General, eventually coming a close second out of seven official candidates in the race.

He is also an award winning author and journalist, having written ten books and numerous articles for publications such as the New York Times, the Washington Post, Newsweek, Time and the International Herald Tribune.

Dr Tharoor will deliver the public opening lecture on Friday 25 July at the Byron Bay Writer’s Festival on ‘Globalisation and the Human Imagination’ in conjunction with Chief Executive of World Vision Tim Costello, who will address the topic of ‘A Global Ethic for a Global Village.’

He will follow up the lecture that afternoon with an ‘In Conversation’ session at the Lismore campus of Southern Cross University entitled ‘The Elephant, the Tiger and the Cell Phone: the incomplete transformation of India in the 21st Century.’

Senior lecturer at the School of Arts and Social Sciences at Southern Cross University, Dr Janie Conway-Herron said that she was pleased to welcome such a high profile visitor to the region.

“Dr Tharoor is not only a respected diplomat, former member of the United Nations and a valued spokesperson for his country, but also a highly successful and prolific writer,” said Dr Conway-Herron.

“His work spans a wide range of discipline areas including social sciences, global politics, creative writing and media and is presented in an accessible way.

“In addition to the Byron Bay Writers Festival, his appearance at the Lismore campus of Southern Cross University provides a great opportunity to hear a compelling speaker and fantastic storyteller.”

Dr Tharoor is just one of the many writers, thinkers and prominent figures on the program at the Byron Bay Writers Festival.

The impressive line up includes satirist Bryan Dawe, former NSW Premier Bob Carr, director Bruce Beresford, actor William McInnes, restaurateur and author Kylie Kwong, columnist Ross Gittins, actress Miriam Margolyes, novelist Arnold Zable, and author and popular culture commentator Associate Professor Karen Brooks who heads up the Southern Cross University media studies program.

Tickets for the Byron Bay Writers Festival are available online at www.byronbaywritersfestival.com or from Jetset in Marvell Street, Byron Bay on 02 6685 6262.

Dr Shashi Tharoor will be in conversation with Dr Janie Conway-Herron on Friday 25 July from 1pm-2.30pm in D1.29 at the Lismore campus of Southern Cross University. To book call Bianca Considine on 02 6659 3686 or email bianca.considine@scu.edu.au

Photo: Shashi Tharoor