Elders With Andrew Denton

He is a man that makes us smile... The New York Times called him "a state of mind".

Helen Bamber has devoted six decades of her life to issues most of us would rather not think about: genocide, ethnic violence, slavery and torture. Based in London, this pint-sized therapist and human-rights campaigner, calls herself "a witness to the vulnerability of humanity".

His talent for using precisely the right word at the right time has won him acclaim as a television and literary critic in the 1970's, and as TV presenter through the 80's and 90's. He's written over 30 books, and is said to own thousands.

From one of the world's poorest countries, comes a man with one of the world's richest imaginations, so limitless, that, for him, the idea of consigning poverty to history doesn't seem far-fetched. In Bangladesh, 35 years ago, during a terrible famine, he had a simple idea: lend money to the poorest of the poor then watch as they transform their lives.

In 1955, the movie JEDDA plucked a 16 year old girl from the desert and catapulted her into celluloid history. Daring and controversial, the film revealed an epic tale of passion and divided cultures with Aboriginal actors in the leading roles.

Richard Dawkins is the essence of scientific reason, an evolutionary biologist, a best-selling author, and strident atheist. He's been declared one of the most influential - and provocative - thinkers of our time.