Vol 33 No 18

18 September 2023

AUSTRALIA

Can spirituality help assuage the youth mental health crisis?
- Adrian Rosenfeldt
- 29 September 2023
12 Comments
Amid the rise of 'no religion' among young Australians, there is a nuanced narrative of spirituality with demonstrated potential to alleviate some mental health concerns. With a prominent strain of individualism pervading today's culture, might revisiting spiritual connectedness provide young people with a needed respite?
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AUSTRALIA

Will they gain a Voice? I sincerely hope so
- Barry Gittins
- 28 September 2023
3 Comments
The voices of Australia's First Nations communities are asking to be heard. With the upcoming referendum, the nation faces a decision both about equity and identity. How might genuine hope and understanding impact Australia's path forward and address longstanding disparities?
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INTERNATIONAL

What is Pope Francis' vision for Ukraine?
- Andrew Hamilton
- 28 September 2023
7 Comments
As the war in Ukraine drags on towards its second year, Pope Francis continues to emphasise peace over victory. Highlighting the human cost of war, calling for a month dedicated to reconciliation. This plea diverges from common narratives, urging the world to see beyond geopolitical complexities.
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EDUCATION

Widening the Catholic educational tent
- Michael Furtado
- 28 September 2023
38 Comments
As Australia grapples with educational inequality, those in the Catholic education system must ask: how do we test for a clear commitment to Catholic Social Teaching and the seminal role it plays in enunciating the guiding principles of Catholic education, particularly in regard to it being offered, ‘first and foremost … to the poor’?
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ARTS AND CULTURE

Wifedom and the casual patriarchy
- Bill Uren
- 26 September 2023
16 Comments
Why has Orwell's wife, Eileen O’Shaughnessy, been strikingly omitted from his many biographies? As Anna Funder's Wifedom delves into this oversight, we're prompted to question: have we truly moved beyond the casual patriarchy?
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AUSTRALIA

A Voice divided
- David Halliday
- 26 September 2023
In the lead up to the Voice referendum, there's a subtle yet seismic undercurrent at play: How do we sustain a meaningful democratic conversation when the foundational truths seem so fragmented? Our ability to connect, converse, and find consensus could be the real referendum of our times.
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ARTS AND CULTURE

Lightning Ghosts
- John Kinsella
- 25 September 2023
1 Comment
I sense them in the air when it’s said there’s little or no chance of a storm — they are apostrophes to themselves, shaped like diacriticals. This is a mundane observation to offer up when the flash closes the light out —that loss of speech to pyrography.
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AUSTRALIA

Conversations at the Crossroads: In conversation with Joe Camilleri
- Michele Gierck
- 22 September 2023
Can genuine dialogue influence societal change? In discussion with Professor Joe Camilleri, Michele Gierck explores initiatives to achieve productive public discourse, and the transformative power of conversation as our most effective catalyst for global change.
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AUSTRALIA

Hardened criminals and hardened hearts
- Andrew Hamilton
- 21 September 2023
In a better world, people who seek protection in Australia and people removed from prison would not be detained in the same detention centres. But the grounds for differential treatment are not based on the difference between guilty and innocent people; between asylum seekers and 'hardened criminals'. Both groups are worthy of respect and compassion.
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AUSTRALIA

HAFFing and puffing
- Peter Mares
- 21 September 2023
2 Comments
Will the Housing Australia Future Fund make a dent on Australia’s housing crisis? After a political tug-of-war, the government's ambitious $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF) has passed parliament, promising tens of thousands of new homes. But with over 170,000 households on social housing waiting lists and a skyrocketing rental market, the question remains: is the HAFF enough?
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AUSTRALIA

Changing the housing story
- John Falzon
- 21 September 2023
3 Comments
In the face of Australia's pressing housing crisis, is the solution merely a question of funds, or does it demand a deeper overhaul? Many are calling for a transformed government role, one that abandons the shackles of neoliberalism, prioritises social infrastructure, and champions the collective good over select interests.
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INTERNATIONAL

Being disinterested in Djokovic
- Binoy Kampmark
- 20 September 2023
3 Comments
Novak Djokovic's on-court triumphs are undeniable, yet off-court controversies spark widespread debate. Navigating the complex interplay of admiration, critique, and understanding becomes essential in grasping the narrative of this unparalleled yet enigmatic champion. Can we disentangle his sporting prowess from off-court controversies?
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ARTS AND CULTURE

Life's little day
- Gillian Bouras
- 19 September 2023
6 Comments
How does the act of ageing influence the way memories resurface, especially when unexpected? How does the process of reminiscing help, and how should younger generations approach tales from the past? A tribute to the legacies that mold generations and the timeless ties that bind.
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AUSTRALIA

Numbers vs. nuance
- Andrew Hamilton
- 19 September 2023
In our data-driven age, numbers shape perceptions, often shadowing reality. But should they define our entire understanding? Perhaps it's time to occasionally detach from the numerical deluge and truly value the essence of what and who matter.
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Vol 33 No 18