Last year, the centre piloted a new type of public forum - titled ‘The Public Square' - in which a panel responded to questions submitted in advance by members of the audience. The questions related to a particular theme, in that case crime and punishment.

The new venture builds on that format but with three significant differences:
• the panel will discuss current issues rather than a particular topic - so questions will be welcome on any issue in the news, national or international;
• panels will be held on a regular basis, with different members each time; and
• the discussion will take place before a live audience and be live-streamed across the country (and the world!) via the Internet. It will also be broadcast live on Dunedin's own Radio One and be available to download later from the University's website.

The first of the panels - which will retain the title ‘The Public Square' - will take place on Friday morning, 23 September, between 0915 and 1015. Public are invited to attend, submit a question, or watch via the internet.

The first panel will comprise national business commentator and writer, Rod Oram; Rt Rev Victoria Matthews, Anglican Bishop of Christchurch; Professor William Harris, Middle East expert and Head of Politics at Otago; and Radio One presenter and 2010 Dunedin mayoral candidate, Aaron Hawkins.

The venue will be the University's studio on the second floor of the Owheo Building (corner of Union Street East and Forth Streets). This can accommodate a live audience of 40, so attendance will be on a ‘first come, first served' basis - though priority will be given to people putting the questions. Questions should be submitted to Jill Rutherford, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Questions can relate to any issue currently in the news or of public concern, for instance the rebuilding of Christchurch, the situation in Libya, concerns about world and national economic trends, the MMP referendum, the SAS role in Afghanistan, how the parties will fare at the General Election, what we can do about Dunedin's debt - even how the All Blacks will do in the RWC!

Those wishing to view the programme live you can do this by logging onto http://www.otago.ac.nz/its/mediaproduction/streaming/mpstudio.html

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