The Festival of Questions

Overview

Wrap your head around some of the biggest dilemmas facing the world today, at the Festival of Questions. Presented by The Wheeler Centre in partnership with Melbourne Festival and the City of Melbourne, this one-day event on Sunday, October 15 will bring together some of the smartest, funniest, most interesting minds in science, law, philosophy, anthropology, journalism, politics, activism and entertainment.

Held at Melbourne Town Hall, the festival will consist of four 90-minute panels. 'Questions for the Nation' will tackle topics close to home, from marriage equality to foreign investment. 'What Is Right? What Is Left' will explore the extent to which traditional politics are being disrupted in the age of Brexit and Trump. 'Philosophical Fight Club' will see a panel ponder questions on population growth, global terrorism and ethical consumption. Finally, 'What the Hell?' will offer an in-depth discussion of Margaret Atwood's feminist novel The Handmaid's Tale and the uncomfortable timeliness of the current television adaptation.

As for who'll be doing the talking, guests of the festival will include lawyer and human rights advocate Julian Burnside, Teen Vogue columnist Lauren Duca, federal MP Tim Wilson, and comedian, musician and transgender rights campaigner Jordan Raskopoulos.