Building a Responsible SocietyJune 1998PrefaceThe impetus for this series of lectures arose out of a proposal from a Board member entitled "Responsibility in Society". The proposal stimulated considerable discussion and debate and eventually led to this Winter Study Series. The timing was interesti ng because the series followed closely on the government's "Code of Social and Family Responsibility" initiative. The theme of a "responsible society" raises a whole host of questions. What constitutes a responsible society? What does social responsibility mean: for citizens, for institutions, for corporations, for government? Is there such a reality as a "common good" and, if so, how do people gain access to it and responsibly share in its benefits? Is there agreement in society regarding a common good?We believe that these are important questions for public discussion, especially at a time when our society is looking for new directions. There are thousands of people in Aotearoa New Zealand who are involved in this search and we hope that the insigh ts shared by the contributors to this series will shed new light and open new possibilities for all of us. The task is to build a responsible society in which everyone can participate. The perspectives developed by the contributors to this series is a good beginning.
Dr James Stuart Edited by Noel Cheer The Lectures[Lecture 1] Rt. Hon Jenny Shipley[Lecture 2] Rt. Hon. Helen Clark [Lecture 3] Prof. Jonathan Boston [Lecture 4] Prof. Lloyd Geering
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