by Wendy Russell
Over 400 delegates from 29 countries converged on UTS this week, for 5 days of information, debate, networking and fun at the international Winds of Change conference.
The conference, organised by a team lead by Dinah Cohen, of the UTS Equity and Diversity Unit, is aimed at investigating women’s participation in higher education, as staff and students.
Issues arising include gains made by women in universities, obstacles still faced in Australia and internationally, threats to continued progress from political changes world-wide and ways forward in the existing climate.
Conference delegates were welcomed to Sydney by Jenny Munro, Chair of the Metropolitan Aboriginal Land Council, who spoke on behalf of the indigenous people of the region. The conference was also treated to a performance by the La Perouse Aboriginal Dancers.
The Acting Vice-Chancellor of UTS, Brian Low, then addressed opening comments to the meeting, followed by a welcome by Mrs Hazel Hawke, the conference’s patron. Mrs Hawke spoke of the importance of education in increasing the possibilities open to women, but also highlighted the responsibility incumbent in this.
The keynote address of the evening was then given by Pat O’Shane, who, as Chancellor of the University of New England, is the first female aboriginal chancellor of an Australian University (or any university for that matter!). Following from Hazel’s comments, she gave a lucid and inspiring speech about the role, not only of women in universities, but also of the university in society, and how women can contribute to the realisation of this role.
A full report from the conference will appear in the next WISENET journal.