Lecture Three: Hope: An Act of the Imagination

For our third lecture we are delighted to have Dr Peter O'Connor from the University of Auckland. His lecture Hope: An Act of the Imagination will explore how the arts can assist communities in reconnecting takes place on Monday, November 11 at 7pm in T1.15, Tara Building, Mary Immaculate College. 

Abstract:

In considering the vital importance of creating hopeful citizens, the arts are presented as a means of making sense of the troubled worlds we live in.  In the aftermath of natural disasters how the arts can help individuals and communities reconnect to the future provides an understanding of the interrelationship between the imagination,hope and resilience. The talk will be based in large measure around  the award winning applied theatre work in Christchurch following the earthquakes.

Brief Biography:

Associate Professor Peter O'Connor is the Director of the Critical Research Unit in Applied Theatre at the University of Auckland.

He has spent more than thirty years creating and researching theatre in prisons, psychiatric institutions, natural disaster zones, and schools.

His most recent work includes a UNESCO funded project in Christchurch schools, working with teachers and students to help young people’s transition back into classrooms following the Canterbury earthquakes.

He was named a New Zealander of the Year by North and South Magazine in 2011 for this work and in 2012 was named Griffith University School of Education and Professional Studies Alumnus of the Year.

The Lecture is free and open to the public.