SPEAKERS

Who's Going to be Speaking

We are proud of the excellence of the diverse and interesting guest speakers who address our monthly meetings.   Not only do they provide opportunity for learning and discussion on a wide range of topics, but they keep us up to date with what is happening in our ever-changing city and world.

Here are details of our speakers for the next couple of months:

Monday 11th August

Professor Natalie Baird, Faculty of Law, University of Canterbury

“The Refugee Convention 1951: Is it Fit for Purpose in 2025?”

The 1951 Refugee Convention provides the internationally recognized definition of a refugee and outlines the legal protection, rights and assistance a refugee is entitled to receive. However, it's now 74 years since the Refugee Convention was adopted and much has changed since the immediate post WW2 years. Professor Baird outlines key aspects of the Convention  and explores  issues pertaining to its current relevance in dealing with the complexity of contemporary refugee situations.

Monday 10th September

Vivienne Allan, Author

“The History of Nurse Maude”

Nurse Maude is a name familair to most in Canterbury, associated with district nursing in Christchurch and the hospice that bears her name.  The real Nurse Maude was a very interesting and complex person who devoted her life to the poor and sick of Christchurch, and introduced district nursing to New Zealand. Vivienne will bring an in-depth exploration of the life of Nurse Emily Sibylla Maude OBE, and the organisation she founded.