2018 Webber Lecture – The Hon Michael Kirby AC CMB
Each year The Hutchins School presents a series of free public seminars including the Webber Lecture. The Webber Lecture is an annual address presented by a leading presenter whose topic is always one of ethics. The Webber Lecture is named in honour of The Reverend Michael Webber, former Dean of Hobart.
We were delighted to welcome The Hon Michael Kirby AC CMB as our guest speaker for the 2018 Webber Lecture held on Monday 25 June. The Hon Michael Kirby is an international jurist, educator and former High Court Judge who has served as Deputy President of the Australian Conciliation and Arbitration Commission (1975–83); Chairman of the Australian Law Reform Commission (1975–84); Judge of the Federal Court of Australia (1983–4); President of the New South Wales Court of Appeal (1984–96); President of the Court of Appeal of Solomon Islands (1995–96) and Justice of the High Court of Australia (1996–2009). In 2013–2014 Michael chaired the commission of inquiry (COI) for the UN Human Rights Council on human rights violations in North Korea.
The topic for this year’s lecture was North Korea: will it all end in tears? Michael delivered an informative and engaging lecture about the history of North Korea and how its relationship with the USA evolved to where it is now. He also discussed the recent meeting between US President Donald Trump and North Korean supreme leader, Kim Jong-un and how the four point statement published as a result of that meeting does not even mention the important issue of human rights and crimes against humanity in North Korea.
Michael also spoke to our Senior School students on Monday afternoon and delivered a powerful message about having the courage to stand up for injustice and minority groups.
We would like to thank Michael for visiting our school and providing such an informative and topical lecture.