Speakers - Auckland
A twenty-minute speakers’ panel will follow all film screenings
Speaker information is correct at time of publishing, but subject to last minute changes.
All the Invisible Children
Screening Saturday 5 May - 8.15pm
Speaker one: Alison Blaiklock
Alison chairs Action for Children and Youth Aotearoa, a coalition
promoting the rights of children and young people. She is a doctor who has specialised in public health and works as the Executive Director of the Health Promotion Forum of New Zealand.
Speaker two: Belinda Gorman
Belinda is the International Programme Officer for UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund) in New Zealand. Prior to this position, she worked with street children in Vietnam and Mongolia for the Christina Noble Children’s Foundation.
Speaker three: Guada Lagrada
Guada is currently Asia Programme Manager for Save the Children New Zealand, where she coordinates with local partners in several countries in Asia to help deliver immediate and lasting improvements to children’s lives and fight for children’s rights.
Facilitator: Ginger Li
Barakat
Screening Tuesday 8 May - 8.15pm
Speaker one: Tarek Cherkaoui
Tarek is currently undertaking PhD research in communication studies with special emphasis on the military-media relationship. He holds a Masters degree in international relations, is the author of many articles, and has participated in numerous symposiums dealing with Middle Eastern affairs.
Speaker two: Deborah Manning
Deborah is a human rights lawyer working in the refugee field. She is best known in New Zealand for her work on the case of Ahmed Zaoui. She is on the management committee of the Human Rights Foundation Aotearoa.
Facilitator: Anthony Vallyon
Anthony holds a voluntary leadership role in the United Nations Association of New Zealand (UNANZ) as well as being active in various other non-governmental organisations. He works for the North Shore City Council.
Barakat
Screening Wednesday 9 May - 3.00pm
Speaker one: Tarek Cherkaoui
Tarek is currently undertaking PhD research in communication studies with special emphasis on the military-media relationship. He holds a Masters degree in international relations, is the author of many articles, and has participated in numerous symposiums dealing with Middle Eastern affairs.
Speaker two: Peter Hosking
Peter Hosking is a senior consultant to the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the United Nations Development Programme, advising on the establishment and management of national human rights institutions. He is Executive Director of the Human Rights Foundation Aotearoa. From 1988 to 1996 he was Proceedings Commissioner at the Human Rights Commission.
Facilitator: Sam McLean
Sam McLean worked as a mediator at the Race Relations Office before joining the Human Rights Commission. She has worked in the UK as a solicitor and as manager of a law centre for people with disabilities. Since returning to NZ, she has worked in the health and disability sector and at the Auckland City Mission.
Breaking Ranks
Screening Sunday 6 May 3.00pm
(Preceded by Children of Leningradsky)
Speaker one: Bill Watson
Bill was a member of the US Marine Corps in the 1960s, during the early stages of Vietnam. At the time he was a conflicted young man; having had time to reflect on and integrate the experience he will bring a unique perspective to the panel.
Speaker two: Alan Taylor
Alan has had extensive military experience, serving in Korea from 1952-1954, and as a member of the New Zealand Armed Forces from 1956 until 1979.
Facilitator: Laurie Ross
Laurie was coordinator of the West Auckland Peace Group in the 1980s and the Environment and Peace Information Centre from 1990-93. She is spokesperson for Peace and Disarmament for the United Nations Association.
Breaking Ranks
Screening Monday 7 May 6.00pm
(Preceded by Children of Leningradsky)
Speaker one: Michael Fleck
Michael was himself a conscientious objector. He thus brings a unique perspective to the panel.
Speaker two: Keith Locke
Keith is Green MP who has been campaigning on a wide variety of political and international social justice issues since 1963. He was an anti- Vietnam demonstration organizer from 1964-73, including several years in Canada where he studied.
Facilitator: Nicky Bermingham
Nicky comes from a teaching background. She holds a Masters in International Relations and is currently studying communications and public relations.
Breath of Peace
Screening Sunday 6 May - 1.00pm
Speaker one: Maire Leadbeater
Maire has been involved with activism in New Zealand for many years. She is currently spokesperson for the Indonesia Human Rights Committee, as well as being active in various other organisations. She has written a book on New Zealand’s complicity in the Indonesian takeover of East Timor.
Speaker two: John Minto
John has been an activist on various social issues for many years. He was a ‘foot soldier’ in the peace movement in the 1980s, sailing in the peace squadron among other things. He is spokesperson for Global Peace and Justice Aotearoa, who have coordinated recent anti-war protests in Auckland.
Facilitator: Laurie Ross
Laurie was coordinator of the West Auckland Peace Group in the 1980s and the Environment and Peace Information Centre from 1990-93. She is spokesperson for Peace and Disarmament for the United Nations Association.
Carla’s List
Screening Friday 4 May- 8.00pm
Speaker one: Treasa Dunworth
Treasa teaches Public International Law at the University of Auckland. Her primary area of research is the international law of arms control and disarmament and issues surrounding the use of force. Prior to her position in the Faculty of Law, she worked for the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in The Hague.
Speaker two: Kevin Heller
Kevin teaches International Criminal Law at the University of Auckland. He is interested in the substance of international criminal law: definitions such as genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and aggression.
Facilitator: Nirupa George
Nirupa is currently studying law at the University of Auckland.
Carla’s List
Screening Sunday 6 May - 5.30pm
Speaker one: Kevin Heller
Kevin teaches International Criminal Law at the University of Auckland. He is interested in the substance of international criminal law: definitions such as genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and aggression.
Speaker two: Heval Hylan
Heval is an experienced international lawyer, currently practicing as a barrister and solicitor in Auckland. He is a specialist in genocide and human rights issues in Iraq. He is active in several organisations, including the Refugee Council and Gendercide Watch.
Facilitator: Rosslyn Noonan
Rosslyn has been Chief Human Rights Commissioner since 2001. She came to the Commission from the position of Trade Union and Human Rights Co-ordinator with Education International, based in Brussels.
Coca: The Dove from Chechnya
Screening Saturday 5 May - 1.00pm
Speaker one: Evgany Orlov
Speaker two: tba
Speaker three: tba
Facilitator: Golnaz Bassam Tabar
Coca: The Dove from Chechnya
Screening Monday 7 May - 8.15pm
Speaker one: tba
Speaker two: tba
Speaker three:tba
Facilitator: Nicky Bermingham
Goal Dreams
Screening Thursday 3 May - 8.00pm
Speaker one: Miladeh Wallis
Miladeh was born in Bethlehem, and has lived in New Zealand for fourteen years. In Palestine, she worked as a teacher, and a social worker for an organisation called the Pontifical Mission for Palestine.
Speaker two: Kairangi Vano
Kairangi attends St Kentigern College in Otara. She is the national under-18 womens tennis champion, and was singles runner up in the Women’s ProCircuit International this year. In March she received an award from Youth for Human Rights New Zealand for her work in the community.
Facilitator: Janfrie Wakim
Janfrie has been involved with the Palestine Human Rights Campaign since the early 1980s. The group works to raise awareness and promote resolution to the conflict within a human rights framework. She was a founding member, and currently serves as director of the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG).
Goal Dreams
Screening Saturday 5 May - 3.00pm
Speaker one: Miladeh Wallis
Miladeh was born in Bethlehem, and has lived in New Zealand for fourteen years. In Palestine, she worked as a teacher, and a social worker for an organisation called the Pontifical Mission for Palestine.
Speaker two: Wynton Rufer
Wynton retired in 2001 from a hugely successful career in soccer. Named player of the century for the Oceania region, he has represented New Zealand as a player/trainer over many years. He is currently a member of FIFA football Committee, and involved with the FIFA Ambassadors Against Racism Committee.
Facilitator: Janfrie Wakim
Janfrie has been involved with the Palestine Human Rights Campaign since the early 1980s. The group works to raise awareness and promote resolution to the conflict within a human rights framework. She was a founding member, and currently serves as director of the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG).
The Iron Wall
Screening Thursday 3 May - 6.00pm
(Preceded by In Working Progress)
Speaker one: Tuma Hazou
Tuma is a retired but active Middle East analyst and commentator. His distinguished career has included working for the BBC in London, and for ABC and UNICEF in Jordan. He is a member of the Palestine Human Rights Campaign.
Speaker two: Dafna Kaplan
Dafna is a photographer, contributing regularly to leading Israeli publications. She has received the Israeli Photographers Association Award for Journalistic Documentary Photography. Her latest project covered political graffiti in Israel and Palestine over 10 years.
Facilitator: Diane Winder
The Iron Wall
Screening Monday 7 May - 3.00pm
(Preceded by In Working Progress)
Speaker one: Tuma Hazou
Tuma is a retired but active Middle East analyst and commentator. His distinguished career has included working for the BBC in London, and for ABC and UNICEF in Jordan. He is a member of the Palestine Human Rights Campaign.
Speaker two: Dafna Kaplan
Dafna is a photographer, contributing regularly to leading Israeli publications. She has received the Israeli Photographers Association Award for Journalistic Documentary Photography. Her latest project covered political graffiti in Israel and Palestine over 10 years.
Facilitator: Barry Wilson
Barry Wilson is an Auckland Barrister and District Inspector for Mental
Health (Auckland & Northland). He is President of the Auckland Council for Civil Liberties. A former television journalist, he retains his media interest as a talkback host on Newstalk ZB.
Living Rights
Screening Wednesday 9 May - 8.00pm
Speaker one: Alison Blaiklock
Alison chairs Action for Children and Youth Aotearoa, a coalition
promoting the rights of children and young people. She is a doctor who has specialised in public health and works as the Executive Director of the Health Promotion Forum of New Zealand.
Speaker two: Margaret Taylor
Margaret is Activism Support Manager for Amnesty International. She has a particular passion for children’s rights, and enjoys working with youth and student activists.
Speaker three: Ian Hassall
Ian is a New Zealand paediatrician and children's advocate. He was New Zealand's first Commissioner for Children from 1989 to 1994. He is at present Senior Lecturer in the Children and Families Programme of the Institute of Public Policy at AUT.
Facilitator: Anthony Vallyon
Anthony holds a voluntary leadership role in the United Nations Association of New Zealand (UNANZ) as well as being active in various other non-governmental organisations. He works for the North Shore City Council.
Race is a Four Letter Word
Screening Friday 4 May- 3.00pm
(Preceded by Outlawed)
Speaker one: Katherine Smits
Kathy is a lecturer in politics at the University of Auckland. She has studied at Cambridge University in England and Cornell in the United States. Her key research interests include identity politics and multiculturalism, justice, and equality.
Speaker two: Stephen Winter
Stephen is a lecturer in the politics department of the University of Auckland. He earned his PhD at Oxford University. His key interests include normative political theory, justice and historical justice, and identity politics.
Facilitator: Annie Goldson
Annie has been producing and directing award-winning documentaries, docudramas and experimental film/video for 20 years in the United States and New Zealand. She is currently completing a book on human rights documentary.
Race is a Four Letter Word
Screening Wednesday 9 May - 1.00pm
Preceded by Outlawed
Speaker one: David Fane
David is the creator of ‘Bro Town’, and a member of the Naked Samoans. A reknowned creative wit, David provides commentary on contemporary New Zealand society.
Speaker two: Mohammed Javed Iqbal Khan
Javed is President of the International Muslim Association of New Zealand and council member of the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand. He is a lawyer with extensive legal experience in both his native Fiji and New Zealand.
Facilitator: Barry Wilson
Barry Wilson is an Auckland Barrister and District Inspector for Mental Health (Auckland & Northland). He is President of the Auckland Council for Civil Liberties. A former television journalist, he retains his media interest as a talkback host on Newstalk ZB.
The Refugees from the Blue Planet
Screening Wednesday 2 May - 7.00pm
(Preceded by Escudo)
-Opening Night Function and Screening-
Speaker one: Deborah Manning
Deborah is a human rights lawyer working in the refugee field. She is best known in New Zealand for her work on the case of Ahmed Zaoui. She is on the management committee of the Human Rights Foundation.
Speaker two: Rosslyn Noonan
Rosslyn has been Chief Human Rights Commissioner since 2001. She came to the Commission from the position of Trade Union and Human Rights Co-ordinator with Education International, based in Brussels.
Speaker three: Malcolm Rands
Malcolm is at the forefront of ‘green’ business. He was a founding member of the Sustainable Business Network and started his own business, EcoStore, in 1992. Among other accolades, he has received the Green Ribbon Award from the Ministry of Environment.
Speaker four: Vanessa Atkinson
Vanessa has been an environmental activist for 10 years. She is currently Climate Campaigner for Greenpeace New Zealand, focussing on raising awareness of climate change, its impacts and the urgent need to tackle this threat.
Facilitator: Andrew Lumsden (aka Te Radar)
An accomplished comedian, satirist and documentary maker, Te Radar has won acclaim for his work which covers a broad range of media, including newspaper columns, theatre, film, television and radio. www.radarwebsite.com
The Refugees of the Blue Planet
Screening Monday 7 May - 1.00pm
(Preceded by Escudo)
Speaker one: Malcolm Rands
Malcolm is at the forefront of ‘green’ business. He was a founding member of the Sustainable Business Network and started his own business, EcoStore, in 1992. Among other accolades, he has received the Green Ribbon Award from the Ministry of Environment.
Speaker two: Greenpeace representative
Greenpeace New Zealand runs a climate campaign, focussing on raising awareness of climate change, its impacts and the urgent need to tackle this threat.
Facilitator: Sou Chiam
Sou is an advisor to Auckland Regional Migrant Services for the refugee mentoring programme. She was Senior Legal Counsel and Head of Human Rights Policy team at the Human Rights Commission; prior to that she was a director of the Asia Pacific Forum for Women, Law and Development for 10 years.
Rosita
Screening Friday 4 May- 6.00pm
(Preceded by Eviction)
Speaker one: Walescka Pino-Ojeda
Walescka is a senior lecturer in the Latin American Studies department of the University of Auckland. Originally from Chile, her research interests include critical theory, Latin American literature and cultural studies.
Speaker two: Ron O’Grady
Ron became International Coordinator of ECPAT International (End Child Prostitution in Asian Tourism) at its founding in 1990. ECPAT expanded to 60 independent organisations or coalitions in 50 different countries by 2001, working against commercial sexual exploitation of children.
Speaker three: Guada Lagrada
Guada is currently Asia Programme Manager for Save the Children New Zealand, where she coordinates with local partners in several countries in Asia to help deliver immediate and lasting improvements to children’s lives and fight for children’s rights.
Facilitator: Sou Chiam
Sou is an advisor to Auckland Regional Migrant Services for the refugee mentoring programme. She was Senior Legal Counsel and Head of Human Rights Policy team at the Human Rights Commission; prior to that she was a director of the Asia Pacific Forum for Women, Law and Development for 10 years.
Rosita
Screening Tuesday 8 May - 3.00pm
(Preceded by Eviction)
Speaker one: Jane Foster
Jane is National Director of ECPAT ((End Child Prostitution in Asian Tourism) in New Zealand. ECPAT International is a network of independent organisations or coalitions in 50 different countries, working against commercial sexual exploitation of children.
Speaker two: Reverend Richard Randerson
Richard is Dean of Holy Trinity Cathedral in Parnell, and the Assistant Anglican Bishop of Auckland. Over many years he has taken a lead role in such issues as socio-economic justice, global peace and well-being, human rights and inter-faith dialogue.
Facilitator Peter Stratford
Peter has a background in computer technology. He is a member of the United Nations Association of New Zealand. He organised the UNANZ speech awards this year.
The Shape of Water
Screening Saturday 5 May - 6.00pm
(Preceded by Living Proof)
Speaker one: Yvonne Underhill-Sem
Yvonne is a senior lecturer in development studies at the University of Auckland where she teaches critical gender analysis in development, Pacific development, and development geography. In addition, as a Cook Island-New Zealander, Yvonne is the Pacific Regional Co-ordinator of DAWN (Development Alternatives with Women for a New Era), an international feminist research and advocacy network.
Speaker two: Anita Lacey
Anita is a lecturer in International Relations at the University of Auckland. She has published in the areas of resistance to neoliberal globalization, non-governmental organisations and voluntarism, and poverty reduction programmes.
Speaker three: Marilyn Waring
Marilyn is a professor at the Institute of Public Policy at the Auckland University of Technology. She is a leading authority on Genuine Progress Indicators and other measures of wellbeing, and economic development. She was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize for her work.
Facilitator: Maire Leadbeater
Maire is spokesperson for the Indonesia Human Rights Committee, as well as being active in other human rights organisations. She has written a book on New Zealand’s complicity in the Indonesian takeover of East Timor.
Sign of the Times
Screening Friday 4 May- 1.00pm
(Preceded by Equal Access)
Speaker one: Victoria Skorikova
Victoria is a member of the Deaf Association of New Zealand.
Speaker two: Rachel Noble
Rachel is the current Chief Executive of the Deaf Association of New Zealand. She has spent many years within the deaf education sector. Deaf herself, and born into a hearing family at a time when the use of sign was discouraged, she identifies strongly with the experiences portrayed in the film.
Facilitator: Shae Ronald
Shae is Manager of External Relations at the Human Rights Commission. Before joining the Commission a year ago she worked in mental health, community law and youth development.
Sign of the Times
Screening Wednesday 9 May - 6.00pm
(Preceded by Equal Access)
Speaker one: Rachel Noble
Rachel is the current Chief Executive of the Deaf Association of New Zealand. She has spent many years within the deaf education sector. Deaf herself, and born into a hearing family at a time when the use of sign was discouraged, she identifies strongly with the experiences portrayed in the film.
Speaker two: Judith Sosich
Judith has been in and around the deaf world since the birth of her second child 12 years ago. Her daughter was born profoundly deaf. Finding a lack of suitable services, she has worked to establish parent-centred NZ Sign Language classes. Through the Auckland Parents of Deaf Children (APDC), practical, free, family centred courses were launched. These courses feature in the documentary.
Facilitator Diane Winder.
Total Denial
Screening Thursday 3 May - 1.00pm
(Preceded by Bound By Promises)
Speaker one: : Dr Robert Howell
Robert is an experienced CEO and organisational consultant. He is currently CEO of the Council for Socially Responsible Investment (CSRI), a charitable trust that advocates and assists investment in socially responsible and environmentally sustainable ways.
Speaker two: Fiona Thompson
Fiona has been involved with Burmese communities for many years, founding the New Zealand Burma Support Group in the early 1990s.
Speaker three: Naing Ko Ko
Naing Ko has worked as a Bangkok-based international lobbyist for the exiled Burmese union movement for the last ten years. His work has been internationally recognised. He was recently granted asylum in New Zealand, and is studying international relations at the University of Auckland.
Facilitator: Peter Stratford
Peter has a background in computer technology. He is a member of the United Nations Association of New Zealand. He organised the UNANZ speech awards this year.
Total Denial
Screening Sunday 6 May - 8.15pm
(Preceded by Bound By Promises)
Speaker one: Naing Ko Ko
Naing Ko has worked as a Bangkok-based international lobbyist for the exiled Burmese union movement for the last ten years. His work has been internationally recognised. He was recently granted asylum in New Zealand, and is studying international relations at the University of Auckland.
Speaker two: Fiona Thompson
Fiona has been involved with Burmese communities for many years, founding the New Zealand Burma Support Group in the early 1990s.
Speaker three: Heval Hylan Heval is an experienced international lawyer, currently practicing as a barrister and solicitor in Auckland. He is a specialist in genocide and human rights issues in Iraq. He is active in several organisations, including the Refugee Council and Gendercide Watch. He has recently been working in Burma.
Facilitator: Jennifer Kerr
Jennifer is active in public speaking, having won awards from Toastmasters for evaluations. She is involved in leadership development and the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants Sustainability Special Interest Group. She is an accounting lecturer at the University of Auckland.
Total Denial
Screening Tuesday May 6 - 6.00pm
(Preceded By Bound By Promises)
Speaker one: Naing Ko Ko
Naing Ko has worked as a Bangkok-based international lobbyist for the exiled Burmese union movement for the last ten years. His work has been internationally recognised. He was recently granted asylum in New Zealand, and is studying international relations at the University of Auckland.
Speaker two: Fiona Thompson
Fiona has been involved with Burmese communities for many years, founding the New Zealand Burma Support Group in the early 1990s.
Speaker three: Barry Wilson
Barry Wilson is an Auckland Barrister and District Inspector for Mental
Health (Auckland & Northland). He is President of the Auckland Council for Civil Liberties. A former television journalist, he retains his media interest as a talkback host on Newstalk ZB.
Facilitator: tba
We’re Normally Different
Screening Thursday 3 May - 3.00pm
(Preceded by Awaiting Tomorrow)
Speaker one: Huhana Hickey
Huhana is currently completing her PhD on the rights of people with disabilities at Waikato University. She is the Indigenous representative for the International Disability Caucus and has been involved in developing the UN Convention on the rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Speaker two: Bob Bettison
Bob has been involved with Intellectually Handicapped Children (IHC) for 10 years. He is currently the president of the Franklin branch of IHC and a member of the New Zealand IHC Inc Board of Governance. He has an interest in the role drama can play in personal development.
Speaker three: Simon Coe
Simon is a member of the People First Network. He is active in the area of self advocacy for people with intellectual impairments. He and his partner Jennifer live and work independently in Auckland. They are successfully living life normally, yet living with difference.
Speaker four: Jennifer Johnson
Jennifer is a member of the People First Network. Like Simon, she is active in the area of self advocacy for people with intellectual impairments. She and Simon live and work independently in Auckland. They are successfully living life normally, yet living with difference.
Facilitator: Peter Stratford
Peter has a background in computer technology. He is a member of the United Nations Association of New Zealand. He organised the UNANZ speech awards this year.
We’re Normally Different
Screening Tuesday 8 May - 1.00pm
(Preceded by Awaiting Tomorrow)
Speaker one: Huhana Hickey
Huhana is currently completing her PhD on the rights of people with disabilities at Waikato University. She is the Indigenous representative for the International Disability Caucus and has been involved in developing the UN Convention on the rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Speaker two: Bob Bettison
Bob has been involved with Intellectually Handicapped Children (IHC) for 10 years. He is currently the president of the Franklin branch of IHC and a member of the New Zealand IHC Inc Board of Governance. He has an interest in the role drama can play in personal development.
Speaker three: Simon Coe
Simon is a member of the People First Network. He is active in the area of self advocacy for people with intellectual impairments. He and his partner Jennifer live and work independently in Auckland. They are successfully living life normally, yet living with difference.
Speaker four: Jennifer Johnson
Jennifer is a member of the People First Network. Like Simon, she is active in the area of self advocacy for people with intellectual impairments. She and Simon live and work independently in Auckland. They are successfully living life normally, yet living with difference.
Facilitator: Julie Watson
Julie is an educator at the Human Rights Commission. She has a passion for looking at the ways the arts can facilitate dialogue around human rights issues.
