GRACE LLEWELLYN
On the 25th & 26th of October, many people from the public and school children were gathered to witness the worlds 20 most unique, courageous and provocative minds for a two day exploration of our greatest human crises, mischiefs and opportunities for global transformation.
The third annual Integrity 20 ‘Age of Insecurities’ conference spotlights some of the thorniest global issues in our ‘age of insecurities’; human displacements; conflict and terrorism; censorship and free speech; the rapid rise of intelligent machines; destabilised democracies; politics, prosperity and inequality; corruption ruled by thieves.
On the first day of the conference, human rights and human security at the heart was examined. Many faces of terror; the use of humour and comedy in the fight against extremism; free speech and state censorship from the perspective of three former ‘prisoners of conscience’; ethics of intelligent machines – from driverless cars to killer drones; the moral challenge and political enigma of the global refugee crisis.
These tops were discussed through series of keynotes, panels, performances and watercooler conversations with guest speakers; Josè Ramos-Horta, Anna Neistate, Charles Lewis, Sarah Chayes, Raimond Gaita, Sakdiya Ma’ruf, Peter Greste, Rafeael Marques de Morais, Ma Thia, Toby Walsh, David Tuffley, Phil Swinsburg, Chris Griffith and Robert Manne.
“I was so glad I got to see such an inspirational set of Journalists who have gone by life living their true life calling. To be a Journalist you have to go out there in the world and discover what no one else can see, so it was great to be able to sit and listen to everyone’s insights and stories.” says aspiring journalist Marnie Cruickshank who was so starstruck seeing her heroes.
Even with the seriousness of topics, passionate advocate Sakdiyah’s Ma’ruf for freedom and equality shines a comedic light into the challenges of islamic fundamentalism and promotes women’s rights.
The Winner of the esteemed 2015 Vàclav Havel International Prize for Creative Dissent and shortlisted for the 2016 Index on Censorship Awards, Sakdiyah is one of the first Indonesian Muslim female stand-up comics.
Passionate advocate for freedom and equality, she struggles life behind the mic as a comedian and interpreter “Iv been told I’m not allowed to talk about Islamic religion, Women rights or even whats been happening in my own country. Therefore the only thing that i can talk about is refrigerators.” Explains Sakdiyah during her speech on Extinguishing extremism with comedy.
“I try my best to deliver something that is undeniably true. So that if fundamentalists care to see my performance, they can look at themselves and laugh.” Sakdiyah continuous
Saukdiyah was also featured in Moral Courage Project in Women Unlimited directory of women leaders in Indonesia. She recently performed at TedxUbud and BBC Radio 4, she is currently working with renowned, award-winning documentary filmmaker Daniel Ziv, on his latest project Hijab Nation.
