STATEMENT FROM PROFESSOR ANN BREWER

I am honoured to accept the appointment to the Ramsay Centre for Western Civilisation Board.

One key value of Western civilisation is its openness to interaction between civilisations, and absorbing ideas and languages from outside itself, resulting in its principles and benefits that transcend the West and are highly relevant for the contemporary world today.

The pedagogical foundation of the Great Books approach (literature known well beyond the ‘West’) is transdisciplinary, transcultural and timeless. It requires students to engage actively and independently in their thinking. As the concept of disruption takes hold in both its positive and negative ways, this approach is highly relevant for innovation, entrepreneurship and applying wisdom in any field of pursuit. It builds capability for independence of mind, reflection and most importantly, the capability to question.

Media contact: Sarah Switzer 0407 816 098/ sarah.switzer@ramsaycentre.org