Black and white image shows people embracing with a pink symbol. Text overlay reads The Ethics of Forgiveness.
SERIES

THE ETHICS OF... Conversation

DATE & TIME

WED 1 APRIL 2026
6:30pm – 7:45pm AEDT

LOCATION

IN PERSON AND LIVESTREAM
The Ethics Centre
Level 1, 161 Castlereagh St
Sydney, 2000

PRICE

BUY TICKETS
General Admission $39
Concession/Seniors $35
Youth $25
Livestream $14
In Person Multipack $99
Livestream Multipack $33

 

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Under what conditions should people offer or expect to receive forgiveness?

Does the key to forgiveness lie in genuine remorse? Or are some actions and their perpetrators so profoundly wrong that they’re ‘unforgiveable’? 

In The Ethics of Forgiveness,  Executive Director of The Ethics Centre Dr Simon Longstaff AO is joined by academic Dr Vincent Hurley and co-founder of the Survivor Hub Brenda Lin, to examine whether there is an ethical obligation to forgive. Can acts of forgiveness be unwarranted and unjust?  What is the relationship between forgiveness and accountability? 

Join us for a nuanced discussion about justice, repair and the limits of letting go. 

This event is part of ‘The Ethics of…’ trilogy which includes The Ethics of Bans and The Ethics of Surrender. Save with a Multipack and see all three events: $99 in person or $33 livestream.

Live stream ticket holders will be able to watch on demand for up to 14 days post-event.

About 'The Ethics Of...'

‘The Ethics of…’ is an event series where we freely examine the experiences, hopes and challenges that make us truly human; from the good to the bad and everything in between. Each event is an intimate conversation, led by a philosopher, with opportunities for the audience to share their experiences, views and learn from each other. Join us for this important and interactive event, held both in person and livestreamed, about the ways we connect with each other.

Speakers

Dr Simon Longstaff AO FCPA portrait. Man with glasses, beard, wearing a blue shirt and navy blazer. Headshot of Dr. Longstaff.

Dr Simon Longstaff AO

Dr Simon Longstaff began his working life on Groote Eylandt in the Northern Territory of Australia. He is proud of his kinship ties to the Anindilyakwa people. After a period studying law in Sydney and teaching in Tasmania, he pursued postgraduate studies as a Member of Magdalene College, Cambridge. In 1991, Simon commenced his work as the first Executive Director of The Ethics Centre. In 2013, he was made an officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for “distinguished service to the community through the promotion of ethical standards in governance and business, to improving corporate responsibility, and to philosophy.” Simon is an Adjunct Professor of the Australian Graduate School of Management at UNSW, a Fellow of CPA Australia, the Royal Society of NSW and the Australian Risk Policy Institute.

Headshot of a smiling man with glasses, discussing the ethics of forgiveness in an article about forgiveness and morality.

Dr Vincent Hurley

Vince is a criminology lecturer at Macquarie University, specialising in the role of police and policing in society. He has been teaching for more than 15 years. Before entering academia, Vince served 29 years as an operational officer with the New South Wales Police Force, including 22 years as a detective. He worked general duties in Mount Druitt, Penrith, St Marys and Blacktown, and later investigated serious crimes such as domestic homicides, organised drug activity, vehicle theft, arson, armed robbery and serious assaults. He also spent four years with the Child Abuse Squad investigating sexual and physical abuse of children. Vince later worked in a covert drug unit targeting cocaine importation and trafficking across NSW and Australia while operating under an assumed identity. He also trained detectives, served as a hostage negotiator, and contributed to domestic violence policy reform for NSW Police.
Portrait of a smiling Asian woman for The Ethics of Forgiveness. She has long black hair and is wearing a cream sweater. Sky background.

Brenda Lin

Brenda Lin is a tireless advocate for sexual assault survivors and co-founded The Survivor Hub in 2021. A survivor herself, she has dedicated much of her life to public advocacy and now runs the organisation full time as a volunteer. Through The Survivor Hub, she creates safe spaces where survivors can connect, share experiences and support one another. She facilitates peer support groups and manages a private online community, helping survivors feel understood and empowered. Alongside this work, she is pursuing a PhD in youth justice rehabilitation, and continues to expand access to survivor-led support across Australia and beyond through advocacy and community leadership initiatives.

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