Former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard, who spurred an overhaul of national education while positioning her country for success in one of the world’s most active regional economies, will speak at Boston College on Sept. 15, as part of the Winston Center for Leadership and Ethics Clough Colloquium.
Gillard’s talk, which takes place at 4 p.m. in Robsham Theater, is free and open to the public.
During her term as prime minister from 2010-13, Gillard – who had served as deputy prime minister and minister for education, employment and workplace relations and social inclusion – developed policy to manage the world’s 12th biggest economy during the global financial crisis.
In addition to pushing reforms throughout Australian education, from early childhood to university level, Gillard created an emissions trading plan; improved the provision and sustainability of health care, senior care and dental care; launched Australia’s first-ever national care program for people with disabilities; and restructured the telecommunications sector. She also was credited with strengthening Australia’s alliance with the United States, while deepening or improving ties with India, Japan, Indonesia and South Korea, and pursuing a stronger relationship with China. During her administration, Australia was elected to the United Nations Security Council.
Since leaving office in 2013, Gillard has served as a non-resident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, working with the Center for Universal Education, and currently chairs the board of the Global Partnership for Education. Last fall, she published My Story, a memoir of her time as prime minister.
For information about the Winston Center and its program, send e-mail to winston.center@bc.edu.
