For the fifth Adelaide Festival of Ideas we invite speakers and audience to ponder the question 'Which way to the future?'

The world is tilting on its axis as China and India flex their rapidly growing economic power. It is also taking on new shape, a result of human induced changes to the environment. The debates on the best way to the future seem insoluble, but must be solved before we reach the tipping point of catastrophic change. Scientists, economists and environmentalists will weigh the scales.

Humans, too, are changing. We are becoming fatter. The biggest loser may be our children with an average life expectancy shorter than our own. We are also on the move. Millions are crossing borders in search of a safe haven or a better life. Movement creates friction: expect some heated debate.

The future may be unknown, but it is ours to imagine: that is its siren song. Come join the chorus on North Terrace this July.

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Premier of South Australia

At a time when the fate of our planet hangs in the balance, when unpopular wars rage on, when science is offering answers and raising questions anew, when nations are rising and falling, when the nature of "work" is changing - we, in the 2007 Adelaide Festival of Ideas, have a wonderful forum in which to discuss the vital issues of the day and the future.

This is a place where we can ask the best minds of our age the perennial and essential human question: "Which Way To The Future?"

It is a place where we can again partake in a feast of the mind that mixes - in equal measure - delight, concern, creative passion and flickering hope.

And it is a place where, perhaps, a few uttered words may lead to actions that change the course of human affairs and our stewardship of the environment.

We will do well to listen-in to what the Festival's fine array of speakers have to say to one another and to us - ideas that just might help us form new views and question-long held assumptions.

I welcome you to South Australia, to this great exploratory adventure into human possibility, to this roadmap for the future, to this 2007 Adelaide Festival of Ideas.

Mike Rann
Premier of South Australia

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The Adelaide Festival of Ideas for 2007 is dedicated to Elliott Johnston AO, QC, LLB Adel, LLD.

The Festival is dedicated to him in acknowledgment of the contribution that he has made in Australia to the pursuit of justice for all under the law, and to achieving equality for all before the law.

During his lifetime in the law, as a practitioner, as a judge, and as a former judge, Elliott Johnston has striven to realise the aspiration and value that is expressed in the judicial oath to do right to all manner of people according to law, without fear or affection, favour or ill will.

He is and has been recognised as a leader in this respect. He has led by unassuming but powerful example. The example was given by his determination and commitment, by sheer hard work, and by the values that he espoused (in actions more than in words).

People like Elliott Johnston are few and far between. They leave their mark in what they do. But, more importantly, and certainly in Elliott Johnston's case, they leave their mark by the impact that they have on those whom they may encounter along the way.

Elliott Johnston's example has encouraged many lawyers, and I expect others, to strive to implement the values that he espoused. It may be that this is his real gift to us the influence that his example has had on others, encouraging them to follow in his path.

A dedication like this is not the occasion to attempt to describe Elliott Johnston's contribution to our society. Space does not permit that. Three particular aspects of his contribution will have to suffice. The first is his work as a lawyer for the disadvantaged, for the 'little people' of Australia, whose concerns and legal causes are so often overlooked. The second is his commitment to improving the treatment of Australia's indigenous people, as exemplified in particular (but only in part) by his work as Royal Commissioner into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody. The third is his unswerving confidence that disadvantage can be overcome by the combined effort of committed people. He has encouraged people to use their strengths to help others.

Anyone involved in the practice of the law knows that achieving justice for all under the law, and achieving equality for all before the law, is a task that will never be complete. It will always be something to be worked towards, despite periodic setbacks and disappointments.

The theme of this Festival is 'Which Way to the Future?'. The theme implies a hope for a better future and a search for ways to achieve that better future. I am confident that Elliott Johnston's hope would be that the discussion and debate that is part of the Festival will produce a response in participants that will influence them to make a practical contribution towards the welfare of all Australians, but especially towards the welfare of the disadvantaged members of our community.

The Hon John Doyle AC Chief Justice of South Australia

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