“Make Australia Your Religion”: Deng Thiak Adut At Changing The Ratio
B&T‘s Changing the Ratio was held earlier this week, and it was a killer day (if we do say so ourselves). In our mission to make inclusion, diversity and equality the norm in our industry, the event saw spectacular speakers and thoughtful panel discussions provide attendees with game-changing ideas.
Our keynote speakers (headlined by Lisa Wilkinson) were a highlight of the day – and included an inspiring speech from Deng Thiak Adut.
Adut is a child soldier and refugee turned human rights lawyer and Australian of the year, who was conscripted to fight in Ethiopia at only six years of age.
“I didn’t have rights to question anybody. I was sent there to die for somebody else cause,” he told the audience, all of whom were listening eagerly.
“I lost my mind – to the point that I used to go and eat other children’s dungs.”
During the course of war, Adut was shot four times – once in his testicle, which he then lost.
Because of this, Adut said people would label him as disabled, but that he never paid any attention to labels – as labelling someone says more about the accuser than the accused.
“Labelling other people is your problem, not my problem,” he said.
But Adut had been to hell and back before being shot.
“I was naked, barefoot [when I was taken], now let’s look at what happened to me,” he said.
The children were made to walk thousands of kilometres from South Sudan to Ethiopia to fight.
“In Ethiopia, my body gave up,” Adut said.
He developed a plethora of diseases including chicken pox and malaria – and was so thin his bones were poking out.
Adut explained to the audience that Sudan was not an inclusive society and that it was divided by religion.
“If I [wanted to] qualify for a passport, I [had to] have Islam as my religion,” he said.
And Adut said that you have to stand up for an inclusive and equal society (and in our case, industry) if you want anything to change.
“Somebody has to do something to change that. And if you can’t stand up for it, then who will?”
That happens to be the very mission of Changing the Ratio – to inspire attendees to start change within their own organisations.
Someone who inspired Adut was his late brother, John Mac, who smuggled Adut out of Africa and got him to safety.
But after getting an education and paying university fees, John Mac couldn’t “get a job because he was like me,” Adut said.
And because he couldn’t find any opportunities in Australia. He eventually returned to South Sudan to do aid work and was killed there, leaving six children behind.
So Adut started a foundation for his brother, giving out scholarships to study for refugees and migrants. And the first people to receive scholarships were Islamic, despite Adut’s past with the religion.
“I was never given opportunity to choose for myself. To think about me. To know whether I’m a human or I’m not.
“But you gave me opportunity. You made me the NSW Australian of the year. I was given that opportunity. So I give it back. I owe that to this society,” he said.
Adut also spoke about needing help when he first got to Australia and said that “Australia should move forward towards helping the refugees and migrants and be a part of it.”
“Make Australia your religion, don’t divide Australia,” he said.
“If you don’t respect the person next to you, you can’t move forward.”
Deng Adut is the co-founder of leading Sydney criminal law firm AC Law Group.
Please login with linkedin to comment
B&T Changing the Ratio 2018 changing the ratio Deng Thiak Adut diversity Equality inclusionLatest News
MINT Expands Technology Portfolio With The Addition Of Audio Brand Bang & Olufsen
Insight-led communications consultancy, The Mint Partners has expanded its technology portfolio with the addition of luxury audio lifestyle brand Bang & Olufsen. Founded in 1925 in Struer, Denmark, Bang & Olufsen has pushed the boundaries of audio technology for almost a century. The company continues to be at the forefront of acoustic innovation with its […]
WWF-Australia Appoints whiteGREY As Lead Agency
The tiger skin rug & taxidermied antelope quickly being removed from whiteGREY's reception after snaring WWF account.
Regulator Set To Clamp Down On Super Funds’ “Ridiculous Vain Advertising”
Most articles with "superannuation" in the headline can cause the eyes to glaze over. However, this one's rather catty.
The Body Shop Appoints Havas Melbourne As Media Agency
Are you friends with anyone from Havas Melbourne? Sadly, it'll be bath bombs & a pointless loofah for Christmas for you.
RAC Insurance Tells WA Locals “We See What You See” In New Spot Via Wunderman Thompson
WA car and home insurer, RAC has launched a new campaign to show locals that they understand the priceless relationship members have with their belongings. Created by Wunderman Thompson Perth, the campaign titled ‘We See What You See’ uses computer generated imagery (CGI) to depict the unique relationship a family has with their insured items – […]
Dave Grohl Opens Up About Caffeine Addiction In Hilarious Spoof Ad
Fear not, the person in the B&T office that asked, "Who's Dave Grohl?" has left the company with immediate effect.
Wednesday TV Wrap: Gruen Pips The Block By Just 25,000 Eyeballs
Gruen continues to shine a valuable light on the ad industry. Which begs the question: what the f@ck's B&T doing then?
PUMA & Athletics Australia Announce Four-Year Partnership
Can't run the 100-metres in under 15 minutes? Well, judging by this press photo it could be the drag from your elbows.
Australian Space Agency Appoints Indie Agency NATION
Apparently Australia has a space agency, with plans afoot to launch the first Jayco caravan into orbit.
TPG Telecom Appoints Paper Moose As Creative Agency For New Brand Felix
Paper Moose has created a campaign for the recently announced carbon-neutral telco brand, felix, due to go to market towards the end of the year. This is the first work from Paper Moose since winning a competitive pitch for the new TPG Telecom brand. The teaser campaign raises awareness of the nearly 1 million tonnes […]
UnLtd Launches Ambassadors Of Good Program
UnLtd launches its Ambassadors Of Good program. Which kinda sounds a bit like a Christian rock band at Hillsong.
Canva Launches New Products As Usage Surges 25%
Of all of Australia's tech billionaires, at least Canva's haven't decided they're also pseudo politicians.
Study: Consumers Want The Feel Good Factor In This Year’s Christmas Ads
B&T wants to see more realistic Chrissie ads - dry turkey, pissed relatives, possible fistfight & police intervention.
Why Apple Is Building Up Its Search Engine
Forget the shiny gadgets & skivvies, evidence is mounting that Apple could possibly be the Fourth Order Of The Sith.
All The Wholesome Pictures From The 2020 B&T Women In Media Awards!
It's your Women In Media picture gallery! The perfect way to have a bludge while pretending to do actual work.
Restoring Trust: How Supply Path Optimisation Is Driving Greater Transparency
Does your supply path optimisation resemble that kitchen drawer dedicated to junk? Spring clean via this essential read.
The Two Murrays Return To Weekends On 2GB And 4BC
Two of Australia’s favourite broadcasters are returning to radio with Murray Wilton and Murray Olds (aka The Two Murrays) set to deliver five hours of news, sport, entertainment, lifestyle and plenty of frivolity over summer weekends on 2GB and 4BC. Their new show launches this Saturday, October 31, and continues on weekends right through until the […]
Klarna Launches First Australian TVC Via Thinkerbell
Klarna is apparently a Swedish shopping app, arguably ideal for shoppers looking for a sauna or new mags for the Volvo.
The Brag Media To Exclusively Represent Australia & New Zealand Audiences Of Variety
The Brag Media, Australia’s number one music and entertainment publisher, has today announced it will exclusively represent Australia and New Zealand audiences for Variety. Variety is the most authoritative and trusted source of entertainment business news, reaching an audience of affluent influencers. For 115 years, influential producers, executives and talent in entertainment have turned to […]
Chello Picks Up ShopifyPlus And Four New Hires
Chello has announced three business wins across its business and four new hires to support recent growth. Joining the agency’s roster is ShopifyPlus APAC along with project work with ShopifyPlus North America, Shef, and Raine & Horne’s national brand. These wins complement the agency’s existing LIV by Mirvac and Qudos Bank accounts. ShopifyPlus APAC Marketing […]
New Campaign For MyDeal.Com.Au Urges Aussies To Bag Their Own Deal
MyDeal.com.au made a splash in the online retail sector last week with its successful IPO on the ASX. This week, however, the brand has made waves on television screens nationwide with the release of its lyrical 2020 Christmas campaign for the all-important December quarter, created in partnership with Cyclone Creative Agency. While COVID-19 has affected […]
Vollebak Prepares For Life On Mars In The Aussie Outback
Here's one for B&T's fashionista readership. So, it didn't really resonate with B&T's flannelette-clad staff.
Afterpay Taps TikTok For Fashion-Forward Fun In New Campaign
Afterpay is the cool and fun new way to get yourself into a lifetime of crippling debt.
Zenith Appoints Joshua Lee As National Head Of Digital & Data
Joshua Lee goes a little bit retro, a little bit Madame Tussauds for press photo following internal promotion.
QMS Showcases B&T Women In Media Winners
Women In Media winners not only receive industry esteem and a cheap looking trophy, but their own digi billboard too!
It’s Here! All The Incredible Winners From B&T’s Women In Media Awards 2020!
Chief sponsor Are Media congratulates all the Women In Media winners. Stops at offering tips on trophy polishing.
MEET YOUR 2020 WOMEN IN MEDIA WINNERS HERE
B&T’S Women in Media winners have been announced, here we profile in depth each and every one of the incredible winners.
We Need To Talk About B2B Events
This columnist asks is it the end for B2B events? And if so, where will B&T journalists take afternoon naps now?
Women In Media’s Nat Harvey: “Humans Need Other Humans To Thrive And Co-Create Happiness”
Seven's sales director Nat Harvey muses on the year that was AND doesn't use the words "bognogs" or "willy dribbler".
Women In Media’s Juliette Stead: “Playing It Safe Isn’t An Option For Me”
Juliette Stead declares, "Playing it safe isn’t an option for me." Top news if Juliette's your tennis doubles partner.
