A Charles Sturt University (CSU) academic wants Australians to become more involved in the formulation of public policy, saying this could make the world a better and more peaceful place. Associate Professor Leonora Ritter, Head of the School of Social Sciences and Liberal Studies said that, “the biggest difference we could make would be to increase the amount of love and security and decrease the amount of fear and anxiety in the world. And we can do that at a micro level. If you smile at the girl at the supermarket, she might not hit her child when she gets home that night, and her girl might not grow up to be racist or violent. You have got to start somewhere. Human beings have enormous frailty because they are susceptible to anxiety, fear, anger and aggression”. At the broader level, Dr Ritter said she would, “try to engage people more in the political process so they can change the world for the better. It is not about left versus right. It is about promoting human values such as kindness and charity.” Dr Ritter will speak on Putting the “i” into public policy tomorrow, Wednesday 23 May at the next All Saints’ Cathedral Forum in Bathurst.