The Nobel Prize Dialogue took place in Sydney at the University of New South Wales UNSW for the first time ever in Australia bringing together minds from science and beyond, all gathering to discuss and explore the future of decision making.

The Embassy of Sweden and the Nobel Prize Dialogue invited SACC members to a reception held at the Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney 23 October ahead of the Sydney Nobel Dialogue event on October 24 (organised by the Nobel Prize Outreach and UNSW). The main focus of the Dialogue was the discussion on the future of decision-making. This is an important subject to tackle as it is a big year for elections worldwide, democracy is in decline, geopolitical tensions are rising and artificial intelligence is likely to affect decision making in profound ways.

Speakers included Tawakkol Karman, Nobel Peace Prize 2011, Saul Perlmutter, physics 2011 and Prof. Brian Schmidt, physics 2011. Different points were touched on during the short panel discussion at the beginning of the event, from the unrealized potential of the Internet as a way to create better collective decision making to the importance of education and new communication methods for young generations of decision makers to thrive. Master of Ceremony was Owen Gaffney, Chief Impact Officer, The Nobel Prize. A special address was held by Sandra Brandin, Acting CEO The Nobel Prize Outreach and Vice Honorary Consul Anna Alvsdotter, Embassy of Sweden.

 

The Nobel Prize Dialogue on 24 October at the University of NSW was an evening of inspiration as Nobel Prize laureates came together with international experts to discuss and explore the powerful forces that shape our decisions and how we navigate the digital age in a series of talks, accompanied by musical performances from DOBBY. Again speakers included distinguished Nobel Prize winners Tawakkol Karman, peace 2011, Saul Perlmutter, physics 2011, Brian Schmidt, physics 2011 as well as constitutional lawyer Megan Davis and comedian, actor, composer, songwriter, pianist and director, Tim Minchin. Discussions were led by Owen Gaffney Chief Impact Officer, The Nobel Prize and Verity Firth, Vice-President Societal Impact, Equity and Engagement, UNSW Sydney.

The Dialogue offered a rare and inspirational opportunity to listen and learn from some of the world’s most enlightened thinkers, artists and activists.

SACC members and guests were invited to the Dialogue and below is a summary by Tobias Byron, Founder and Director at Byron Partners Pty Ltd, who attended the event on 24 October.

Last night at the Nobel Prize event in Sydney—what an incredible and humbling experience! Three Nobel Prize winners and several other amazing guests presented and even more importantly debated. Did you know that the number of democratic countries is in real decline? Or that true world-changing progress only happens when we GENUINELY come together? And that social media algorithms are shaping our world in ways even worse than most of us realise. And that even ONE person (maybe you?) can make a real difference?

These were just a few of the thought-provoking insights shared by some of the brightest minds on the planet.

Hearing from Tawakkol Karman, who won the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize for her work advocating human rights and democracy, alongside Saul Perlmutter and Brian Schmidt, 2011 Nobel Laureates in Physics for their discovery of the accelerating expansion of the universe, was truly a privilege. Adding a unique perspective to the mix was Tim Minchin, comedian, actor, and composer, whose insights brought both wit and real wisdom to the conversation. Megan Davis also presented and expanded views on The Voice which made me less proud of being an Australian citizen but that is ok, as long as we learn (as Saul Perlmutter elegantly made it clear for us).

In a time when decision-making is more complex than ever, it was both energising and inspiring to listen to genuine debates and insights from the Nobel Prize winners and experts. The discussions —ranging from how AI is reshaping our views to the challenges the world faces —were eye-opening, making me reflect further on how we can improve the systems that shape our future.

The question of how we can improve collective change across cultures, geographies, and generations has never felt more relevant. The world is at a critical point, and real events like this remind us that we all have a role to play in shaping the future.

Feeling incredibly fortunate to have been at such a world-class dialogue. I encourage everyone to take a moment and reflect on these important topics as we move forward in the digital age. What can you do? What will you do?

It’s remarkable to think that one person, Alfred Nobel, back in Sweden in 1895, could set something like this in motion. Perhaps it’s a reminder of the lasting impact one visionary idea can have —and food for thought for others today!

Nobel Prize Dialogue was organised by Nobel Prize Outreach and the University of New South Wales Sydney, with the support of Nobel International Partners 3M, ABB, EQT, Stegra and Scania.

For more information on the Nobel Prize Dialogue head here.

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Speakers at Nobel Prize Dialogue on 24 October at the University of New South Wales UNSW

Brian P. Schmidt
Brian P. Schmidt received the 2011 Nobel Prize in Physics for discovering the accelerating expansion of the Universe.

Saul Perlmutter
Saul Perlmutter shared the physics prize for the discovery of the accelerating expansion of the universe. He is a professor of physics at the University of California, Berkeley, and a senior scientist at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

Megan Davis
Megan Davis is a renowned constitutional lawyer and public law expert, specialising on Indigenous peoples and the law, the constitutional recognition of First Nations and democracy.

Tawakkol Karman
Tawakkol Karman, a Yemeni journalist and human rights activist, is the first Arab woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize.

Owen Gaffney
Owen Gaffney is Chief Impact Officer at Nobel Prize Outreach.

Tim Minchin
Tim Minchin is the composer and lyricist of smash-hit stage musicals, Matilda and Groundhog Day. He is also a screenwriter and screen actor.

Verity Firth
Professor Verity Firth AM is the inaugural Vice-President Societal Impact, Equity and Engagement at UNSW Sydney.

DOBBY
DOBBY is a rapper, drummer, composer and producer.

Sandra Brandin
Sandra Brandin is the Acting CEO of Nobel Prize Outreach, the communication and outreach arm of the Nobel Foundation.