MEDIA
RELEASE
University
Communications
03 9925 2807
View RMIT media
releases and
find experts:
rmit.edu.au/newsroom
MELBOURNE
BRUNSWICK
BUNDOORA
FISHERMANS BEND
POINT COOK
HAMILTON
HO CHI MINH CITY
HANOI
Tutu Fellows boost global reconciliation
A film-maker, a doctor and an artist are the winners of the inaugural Desmond Tutu
Reconciliation Fellowship Scheme, which provides opportunities for Australians to
undertake projects that contribute to reconciliation. The awards will be presented at
the Pathways to Reconciliation Summit in Amman, Jordan, today.
Elizabeth Langslow is a photographer/film-maker who has worked in Uganda and
Central Australia. Ms Langslow, based in regional Victoria, works with ACMI and
local government in digital storytelling. Ms Langslow will be filming the summit,
and exploring ways that communities access digital tools to amplify their voice.
The iPhone, iPod revolution means, more than ever, unheard people can
broadcast their stories and influence agendas, globally, Ms Langslow said.
Ian Campbell is an Australian-trained doctor based in London, formerly Director of
the International Health Division of the Salvation Army, now the Founding Director
of Affirm Associates, which he funds from his own part-time work as a doctor.
Affirm helps facilitate community responses to HIV and AIDS.
Progress with HIV worldwide depends on openness to reconciliation. Every
community counts and no neighbourhood should be left behind. Rwanda, Liberia,
Cambodia, Papua New Guinea and Australia have applied learning from local HIV
experience to local conflict reduction and peace building, Dr Campbell said.
Katarina Pejovic is a Zagreb-based artist, who is working in an urban environment
on intermedia projects together with Boris Bakal within the frame of Shadow
Casters artistic organisation to reconstruct the possibility of community in a time of
ruthless social change.
In the present world of social and political turmoil on all geographical coordinates,
the role of artist may be as revealing and relieving as ever. Our work is a constant
quest for those common denominators among people that might not be perceivable
at first glance and that, sifted through various performing and intermedia forms,
ultimately bring about different viewpoints, Ms Pejovic said.
Supported by HRH Prince Hassan of Jordan, RMIT University and Monash
University, the Summit brings together more than 300 reconciliation experts to
tackle global cultural, racial, religious and political difference. Patrons include Sir
William Deane, Dr Lowitja ODonaghue, the Reverend Desmond Tutu, Aung San
Suu Kyi, President Jose Ramos-Horta, Professor Bernard Lown and Professor
Amartya Sen. It concludes 17 December. www.global-cities.info/amman09
For interviews:
Elizabeth Langslow (Melbourne) elizabethlangslow@gmail.com
Ian Campbell (London) ian.campbell@affirmfacilitators.org
Katarina Pejovic (Zagreb) katapejovic@gmail.com
General media enquiries: RMIT University, Paul Noonan, 0409 239 021.
14 December, 2009