Diversity was the key to creating a wise society and making the world a better place, said Strategic Relations consultant Mike Lynskey in giving the Occasional Address at Charles Darwin University’s final graduation ceremony on Friday.
Mr Lynskey, the former CEO of the Fred Hollows Foundation, said diversity of opinion and independent thinking were the basis of a democratic society. However, the knowledge gained from such private decision-making fed into the collective decision-making that was the essence of democracy.
He warned graduates not to turn their back on the challenges of a democratic society, but to look outward and engage in a continuing dialogue, where debate and contestation were conducted with civility and courage.
“Democracy is lost if we don’t have courageous people,” he told the 600-strong audience at the graduation ceremony at the Darwin Entertainment Centre.
The families of some 220 graduates were on hand to witness the graduates receive their degrees, diplomas and certificates from Chancellor Richard Ryan.
A further 700 degrees were conferred in absentia.
In her vote of thanks to the guest speaker, student Shameemah Salahudeen, who received her Masters in Engineering Management degree, paid tribute to the support of parents and family that all students at CDU had received.
She also urged students to look outwards in the future, offering the quote: “Who looks inside, dreams, who looks outside wakes.”