Who’s Afraid of the Nanny State? Freedom, regulation and the nation’s health

Who’s Afraid of the Nanny State? Freedom, regulation and the nation’s health

The ‘nanny state’ has become a familiar phrase in debates about what government ought to do, and not do, in its efforts to improve the health and wellbeing of the population.

This two-part symposium, presented by the University of Sydney’s Charles Perkins Centrehttp://sydney.edu.au/perkins/> and Sydney Law Schoolhttp://sydney.edu.au/law/>, considers the rightful role of government in this controversial issue.

In an event spanning two days, speakers from a range of backgrounds will present theoretical perspectives on government’s role, new approaches to regulation which minimize intrusion on individual choices and lifestyles.  The symposium will also address the reality of industry’s role in influencing lifestyles and in some cases, creating markets for the risk factors for the diseases we most want to avoid.

Convenors:
Prof. Paul E. Griffiths, Professor of Philosophy and Associate Academic Director, Charles Perkins Centre
Prof. Roger Magnusson, Professor of Health Law & Governance, Sydney Law School

Part 1: 28 April – Public Oration

PROFESSOR GERARD HASTINGS OBE
Professor of Social Marketing, University of Stirling UK and the Open University and L’École des Hautes Etudes en Santé Publique
“The Marketing Matrix: Why I’m not lovin' it, will not just do it, and sure as hell will never be worth it”
In the hands of the corporate sector, marketing is turning us into spoilt, consumption-obsessed children who are simultaneously wrecking our bodies, psyches and planet.

In conjunction with Sydney Ideas. Click herehttp://sydney.edu.au/sydney_ideas/lectures/2014/professor_gerard_hastings.shtml> for more information and to register.

Part 2: 29 April – Conference

Keynote Speakers:

PROFESSOR JANET HOEK
Professor of Marketing, Otago Business School, Otago University, Dunedin, NZ
“Smokers and informed choice: myth or reality?”
Do tobacco companies’ claims that smokers' make 'informed' decisions to smoke match young adults' experiences, or is 'informed choice' an oxymoron that inhibits tobacco control policy?

PROFESSOR ROGAN KERSH
Provost and Professor of Politics & International Affairs, Wake Forest University
"Of Nannies and Nudges: Advances and setbacks in U.S. health policymaking"
Obesity prevention marks an especially contested ground at present in political-philosophical debates over whether and how government may limit the harm individuals’ cause to themselves.

THE HON JUDI MOYLAN
President, Diabetes Australia; Co-Chair of the National Diabetes Strategy Advisory Group
“Personal freedom vs public interests: politics of public health protection”
A worldwide controversy has raged in recent times concerning the moral legitimacy of government regulation in food labelling. To some, it is a self-evident good. To others it is rampant ‘nanny statism’.

PROFESSOR PHILIP PETTIT
Laurance S. Rockefeller University Professor of Politics and Human Values, Princeton University
“Two images of state and economy”
Every economy presupposes property conventions, a medium of exchange, rules of incorporation and a variety of other institutions. Are these infrastructural institutions essentially pre-political, as libertarian and related traditions suggest?

For more information about the program and speakers click here.http://sydney.edu.au/perkins/documents/nanny_state/nanny_state_draft_program1.pdf

To register for the full conference click herehttp://charlesperkinscentre.e-newsletter.com.au/link/id/zzzz52dca98e9808a990P/page.html?evuid=zzzz52dca98e94eef843>.

  *   Cost: $80.00
  *   Registration is essential and places are limited.
  *   Contact: Sarah Anthony  E: [email protected][email protected]>