Colin Tatz Oration 2022

The 2022 Colin Tatz Oration titled “Is the UN’s definition of genocide relevant today?” will be delivered by The Honourable Michael Kirby AC CMG.

Colin Tatz was born in South Africa on 18 July 1934. He was a graduate of the University of Natal. In 1964 he received his PhD from the Australian National University, with a thesis entitled "Aboriginal administration in the Northern Territory of Australia". Colin went on to become senior lecture in sociology and politics at Monash University and a professor of politics at UNE and Macquarie University, and later director of the Australian Institute for Holocaust and Genocide Studies. Colin wrote widely and authored hundreds of books and peer-reviewed articles on race politics, genocide, the Holocaust, antisemitism, and racism in sport. An anti-apartheid activist in his youth, Colin devoted his working life to researching and combatting racism and discrimination. He died Tuesday 19 November 2019, aged 85. 

PLUS61J Media holds this event to honour Colin’s memory and work but even more importantly to continue his legacy ensuring social justice is a currency for all Australians to hold, regardless of their background, nationality or skin colour. The inaugural Colin Tatz oration was held in 2020. More on this PLUS61J special event here.

About The Honourable Michael Kirby AC CMG 

Michael Kirby was born and educated in public schools in Sydney. At the University of Sydney he graduated BA, LLM, BEc. His LLM was conferred with First Class Honours. After a time as a solicitor and barrister (1962-74) he served in a number of judicial offices, including as President of the NSW Court of Appeal (1984-96) and Justice of the High Court of Australia (1996-2009).

After retiring from the High Court he went on to serve in numerous United Nations posts including the WHO Global Commission on AIDS (1988-92); UN Special Representative for Human Rights in Cambodia (1993-6); and Chair of the UN Human Rights Council’s Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights Violations in North Korea (DPRK) (2013-14). He is also heavily engaged in international arbitrations; domestic mediations; and teaching law. He is Honorary Professor at 12 Australian and overseas universities and has been awarded international and Australian prizes and medals for his work.