The correct use of language in politics can be devastatingly effective. It can inspire and unite people towards a common goal.

The issue of incorrect and weak language in politics was recognised many decades ago (for example, George Orwell’s 1946 essay, ‘Politics and the English Language’), and since then the ambiguous language of the marketing world has continued to saturate public speech in all forms, including politics.

One of the major aims of Evatt11 is to improve the participants’ public speaking and negotiating skills, in which good command of language naturally plays a major role. Evatt11 will have a major workshop aimed at analysing the the issue of communication between politicians and the public (rather than internal political communication). This workshop will aim to give Evatt11 delegates the necessary skills to use language in an effective manner when communicating their ideas.

The workshop will be delivered by Peter Thompson, Director of the Centre for Leadership (http://www.centreforleadership.com).

ABOUT PETER THOMPSON

Peter Thompson is a broadcaster, educator and author.

He is a Fellow of the Australia and New Zealand School of Government where he teaches executive programs in communication strategy and adaptive change, risk and crisis communication and behavioural change.

He presented ABC TV’s Talking Heads – a program of intimate conversations about the lives of prominent Australians – for six seasons. Previously - he was the voice of ABC Radio’s AM and Radio National Breakfast – for fourteen years.

Peter directs the Centre for Leadership which works with the public, private and not-for- profit sectors on communication strategy and practice.

His books include “Persuading Aristotle” and “The Secrets of the Great Communicators”.

He was educated at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard, the Australian Graduate School of Management and the Australian National University.

He is also an Adjunct Professor at Macquarie University’s Department of International Communication.