===================================== MONASH ASIA INSTITUTE BULLETIN 11/2006 13 November 2006 ===================================== In this bulletin 1. Seminar: Speaking about Palestine 2. Discussions with representative of Indonesia Forum for Environment 3. Seminar: Democracy in private enterprise in China 4. Seminar: Daily life in Xinjiang 5. Dialogue with Prof M.V. Pylee 6. Seminar: Doing fieldwork in Lahoul 7. Prof Ruth McVey speaks at Herb Feith Memorial Lecture 8. Australia-Japan year of exchange conference 9. ANU PhD Scholarship 10. Scholarships for the New Media Conference in Nepal 2007 11. Conference: World without walls 12. ASIALINK Leaders Program 13. Performance by the Shinjuku Ryozanpaku Theatre 14. Harvard China-India Development and Relations Symposium 15. Conference: Asia and the Other 16. Journal of Vietnamese Studies 17. Website of the month ===================================== Monash Asia Institute and Monash University News and Events ===================================== Item 1. MAI 'Reports from Asia' seminar Wednesday 15 November 2006, 1.00 pm Room S822, Level 8 South, Building 11 (Menzies), Monash University Clayton campus "Speaking about Palestine, did you know…?" Speaker: Mr Damien Cheong, PhD Candidate, School of Political and Social Inquiry, Monash University Mr Cheong’s current research examines the impact of the armed struggle on the Palestinian political system. He has recently returned to Melbourne after spending three months in the Middle East, particularly in the West Bank (Palestine) and Israel. His presentation will focus on suicide attacks in the context of the Palestinian armed struggle, the impact of Israel’s Security Barrier (aka the Wall) on ordinary Palestinians, and the HAMAS Government and the current crisis in the Palestinian Authority. Enquiries and RSVP with "Middle East Seminar" in the subject heading of the email to Dr Tony Donaldson, tony.donaldson@adm.monash.edu.au ________ Item 2. Monash Asia Institute Roundtable discussions with Dr Chalid Muhammad, Executive Director of the Indonesian Forum for Environment (WALHI) Friday 17 November 2006, 2.00 pm Room S822, Level 8 South, Building 11 (Menzies), Monash University Clayton campus Chalid Muhammad began his work as an environment activist in Palu, central Sulawesi in 1990, where local communities successfully opposed a mega-dam in the Lore Lindu National Park. Moving to academia, he taught law in Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, from 1993 to 1994, where he first came into contact with mining issues through the impacts of an Australian-owned coal mine. This led him to take up the post of coordinator of mining campaigns at Indonesia's largest and oldest grassroots environment organisation, the Indonesian Forum for Environment (WALHI) in 1994. In 1999, he established Indonesia's Mining Advocacy Network (JATAM) where he worked as national coordinator until being elected to the position of Executive Director of WALHI in 2005. WALHI is the largest forum of non-government and community-based organisations in Indonesia. It is represented in 25 provinces and has over 400 member organisations. It stands for social transformation, people’s sovereignty, and sustainability of life and livelihoods. WALHI works to defend Indonesia's natural world and local communities from injustice carried out in the name of economic development. (see:http://www.eng.walhi.or.id/). Dr Chalid’s visit to Melbourne is hosted by the Australian Conservation Foundation (see: http://www.acfonline.org.au/) RSVP with “environment forum” in subject heading of email to Dr Tony Donaldson (tony.donaldson@adm.monash.edu.au). ________ Item 3. Seminar: Democracy in private enterprise in China Seminar co-sponsored by the Chinese Studies Program (Monash University), Asian Business and Economics Research Unit (ABERU), and Monash Asia Institute Monday 20 November 2006, 12.00 noon - 2.00 pm Room S822, Level 8 South, Building 11 (Menzies), Monash University Clayton campus "Democracy in private enterprise, Zhejiang Province, China" Speaker: Prof Xie Yuhua, College of Business Management, Hunan University, China Professor Xie Yuhua is based in the College of Business Management at Hunan University. Her current research interests include: governmental relations; relations between government and enterprises in China; the development of corporate culture. She is the author of numerous journal articles and five books. Her most recent publication is “Local Protection in the Course of Economic Reshuffling in China” (Hunan University Press, 2006). RSVP (essential) with "Private enterprise seminar" in the subject heading of the email to Dr Tony Donaldson, tony.donaldson@adm.monash.edu.au ________ Item 4. MAI 'Reports from Asia' seminar Wednesday 22 November 2006, 1.00 pm Room S822, Level 8 South, Building 11 (Menzies), Monash University Clayton campus "Daily life in Xinjiang: Pastoralists, Education, Modern pressures and HIV/AIDS. " Speaker: Yenhu Tsui Professor of Anthropology, Xinjiang Normal University, Urumqi, People's Republic of China Professor Yenhu Tsui is currently working on an international research project of the Monash Asia Institute on Kashgar (see http://www.arts.monash.edu.au/mai/mai/research/kashgar.html). Prof Tsui will speak on observations from his research in Xinjiang. Prof Tsui's visit to Australia is sponsored by the Monash Asia Institute. RSVP to Dr Tony Donaldson (tony.donaldson@adm.monash.edu.au) with "Xinjiang seminar" in the subject heading of your email. ________ Item 5. Roundtable dialogue with Professor M.V. Pylee, expert on the Indian Constitution A Monash Asia Institute - Asian Business and Economics Research Unit (ABERU) Joint Event Thursday 23 November 2006, 1.00 pm Room S822, Level 8 South, Building 11 (Menzies), Monash University Clayton campus Professor to M.V. Pylee is a National Research Professor of the Indian Ministry of Human Resources Development. He has been appointed in this prestigious position in recognition of his outstanding academic achievements and contributions in the development and innovations in the field of political jurisprudence. In 2006, Professor Pylee was a recipient of a Padma Bhushan award, an Indian civilian decoration, in recognition of his distinguished service in Literature and Education. Professor Pylee was a former Vice-Chancellor of Cochin University of Science and Technology, and was the Founder Director of the School of Management of the Cochin University. A selection of Prof Pylee’s extensive publications include "Emerging Trends in Indian Polity" (Regency Publications, 2002), "Constitutional Amendments in India" (Universal Law Publishing Co Ltd, 2004);"Crisis, conscience, and the constitution" (Apt Books, 1982). RSVP (essential) to Dr Tony Donaldson (tony.donaldson@adm.monash.edu.au) with "Constitution dialogue" in the subject heading of your email. ________ Item 6. MAI 'Reports from Asia' seminar Wednesday 29 November 2006, 1.00 pm Room S822, Level 8 South, Building 11 (Menzies), Monash University Clayton campus “Doing fieldwork in Lahoul” Speaker: Ms Diana Cousens, PhD Candidate, Monash Asia Institute Diana will describe some of the practical circumstances of doing field work in the remote Western Himalayan province of Lahoul. Armed with laptop, camera, and exercise books, Diana has just returned from her study of the remote village of Triloknath, famous for its white marble statue which is revered by both Buddhist and Hindu communities. Enduring bucket baths of melted glacier water, a strictly limited diet where vegetables were a luxury, she has documented beliefs, legends, rituals and ideas. RSVP with “Lahoul seminar” in subject heading of email to Dr Tony Donaldson (tony.donaldson@adm.monash.edu.au). ________ Item 7. Herb Feith Memorial Lecture, 2006 The Centre of Southeast Asian Studies and the Faculty of Arts, Monash University, in association with Radio Australia and the Melbourne Institute of Asian Languages and Societies, University of Melbourne, announce The fourth Herb Feith Memorial Lecture Thursday 30 November 2006, 6.00pm refreshments for 7.00 pm start Iwaki Auditorium, ABC Southbank Centre Corner Sturt Street and Southbank Boulevard, Melbourne "Contemplating violence in Indonesia" Speaker: Professor Ruth McVey, Emeritus Reader in Southeast Asian Politics at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London Dr McVey received her PhD in Government at Cornell University and subsequently held positions at Yale University, the Center for International Studies at MIT, Cornell University and the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London. Her early work concentrated on the history of the Indonesian Communist movement and the general relationship between ideology and social change in Indonesia. Later she studied social and ideological transformation in rural southern Thailand and the rise of the Southeast Asian business-political elite. Details: http://www.arts.monash.edu.au/mai/cseas/hflecture06.html Herb Feith Foundation website, http://www.herb-feith-foundation.org/ RSVP (essential) with "Herb Feith Lecture 2006" in the subject line of the email to Dr Tony Donaldson, tony.donaldson@adm.monash.edu.au ________ Item 8. Australia-Japan year of exchange conference The Monash University Japanese Studies Centre celebrates the Australia-Japan year of exchange with a conference in Broome, Western Australia 9 - 13 December 2006 Cable Beach Club Resort, Broome The conference will engage in a high level of discussion about the future of Japanese Studies in the context of Australia-Japan relations and the expanding role of those two nations in Asia. The conference will address the following themes: - Australia-Japan relations in the context of a globalizing Asia - Japanese Studies in the post-area studies era - Changing goals of Japanese language education - Japanese critical cultural studies - Japanese communities in Australia - Japanese cultural flows in Australia and Asia - Translating Japan and Japanese for Asia and Australia - Australia-Japan: From maritime connectivity to digital connectivity Confirmed keynote speakers include Tessa Morris-Suzuki, Sadami Suzuki, Tasaku Tsunoda, Keiji Sawada, Mark Lincicombe, Robin Gerster, Leith Morton, Vera Mackie, Toshiko Ellis, Takeshi Terada For further information, contact Joanne.Witheridge@arts.monash.edu.au Website: http://www.arts.monash.edu.au/lcl/conferences/japan-relates/index.html The conference is sponsored by The Japan Foundation. ===================================== Other News and Events ===================================== Item 9. PhD Scholarship in Environmental Management & Development The Crawford School of Economics and Government, Australia's premier policy school focused on economics and government in Australia, Asia and the Pacific, has one PhD scholarship available, as part of a new ARC Discovery Project on governance, environmental and social change in rural Indonesia. Applicants must have completed an Honours degree (1st or 2A), or equivalent Master degree with substantial research in either Anthropology, Geography, Politics, Environmental Science, Indonesian studies or related fields together with some knowledge of the Indonesian language. Previous research and/or recent work experience on aid and development issues would be an advantage. For further information: http://www.crawford.anu.edu.au/student/scholarships.php Enquiries & selection criteria: Dr John McCarthy, Crawford School of Economics and Government, Australian National University, ANU College of Asia & the Pacific email: john.mccarthy@anu.edu.au ________ Item 10. Scholarships for the New Media Conference in Nepal 2007 Deadline for applications: 30 November 2006 The Asian Civic Rights Network (AsiaRights), with the generous support of the ARC Asia Pacific Futures Research Network, is offering two scholarships to PhD students or early career researchers (within four years of completion of PhD) to participate in, and present a paper, at the International Workshop New Media for Civil Society: Asia Pacific Experiences and Futures, to be held at Bhaktapur, Nepal, from 29 April to 2 May 2007. The conference will offer a unique opportunity to interact with leading media professionals, NGO activists and researchers engaged in developing the use of new media (including Internet websites, online journals, community radio etc.) to meet the needs of NGOs and social movements in Asia. Invited speakers will include prominent practitioners from Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Thailand, India and Nepal. Material from the Workshop will be incorporated into a media kit which will be distributed to Asian NGOs seeking to make more effective use of new media to convey their messages to a wide audience. The scholarship will generously cover the cost of an advance purchase economy class airfare from Australia to the Workshop venue, together with five nights accommodation in Nepal, per diems and (where necessary) assistance towards insurance costs. Applicants should have a strong record on issues related to civil society, media and/or new communications technologies in Asia. Deadline for applications: 30 November 2006 Further enquiries to Jennifer Badstuebner, Jennifer.Badstuebner@anu.edu.au or Tessa Morris-Suzuki, Tessa.Morris-Suzuki@anu.edu.au ________ Item 11. Conference: World without walls: 21st century perspectives on East and West 3 - 7 December 2006 Women’s College, University of Sydney This conference marks the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Oriental Society of Australia with a multi-disciplinary conference drawing together scholars in humanities, arts and social sciences to discuss the place of Asian Studies in contemporary scholarship. Several international scholars will give keynote addresses, including the distinguished linguistics scholar, Professor Frits Staal of the University of California, Berkeley. Students and scholars from around Australia and overseas will present over one hundred papers on a diverse range of subjects. Details: http://www.arts.usyd.edu.au/conference/OSA2006 Enquiries: Jocelyn Chey, OSA2006@arts.usyd.edu.au ________ Item 12. The ASIALINK Leaders Program Deadline: Friday 15 December 2006 Applications are now open for the 2007 Asialink Leaders Program. The 2007 Asialink Leaders Program skills emerging leaders across all sectors to manage successfully across cultures and borders. The program draws on the expertise of Australia's leading Asia institutions at the Australian National University, The University of Melbourne and University of Technology Sydney and includes high level speakers from government, business, media and the not for profit sector. United Group Learning, with unrivalled experience and expertise in cross-cultural management, is a key partner in program design and delivery. A new modularised approach provides program participants with increased flexibility. The program will be delivered in both Melbourne and Sydney consecutively. More information: http://www.asialink.unimelb.edu.au/cpp/leadership/ Download a brochure: http://www.asialink.unimelb.edu.au/cpp/pdf/AsialinkLeadershipProgram.pdf (pdf, 416kb) Deadline: Friday 15 December 2006 Web: http://www.asialink.unimelb.edu.au/cpp/leadership/ Enquiries: Yue Li, 03 8344 3574 (direct), leadership@asialink.unimelb.edu.au ________ Item 13. Performance by the Shinjuku Ryozanpaku Theatre The Shinjuku Ryozanpaku Theatre Company will perform "Matasaburo – Angel of the Wind” by Juro Kara, and directed by Su Jin Kim. Dates: 21-23 December 2006, starting time: 7.00 pm Location: Upper Terrace, Birrarung Marr (Melway ref 1B S11) This performance will be one of the last events of the 2006 Australia-Japan Year of Exchange Celebration. For ticket bookings, contact Easytix 03 9639 0096 or visit http://www.easytix.com.au For further information, http://www.soupad.com/ryozanpaku.html ________ Item 14. Harvard College China-India Development and Relations Symposium (CIDRS) Dates: 30 March – 1 April 2007 Location: New York City Website: http://www.cidrs.org Deadline for applications: 18 December 2006 In this four-day symposium, students will present papers focussing on issues relating to China's and India's most pressing development and international relations. CIDRS seeks to foster a fuller understanding of the link between China and India through dialogue and exchange of ideas. Students of all ages and backgrounds are invited to apply. A strong preference will be shown to current graduate students and advanced undergraduate students at internationally accredited institutions. Students who wish to present a paper at the conference may submit a paper abstract as part of their application. Both general delegates and paper presenters are welcome! Applications are online at http://www.cidrs.org CIDRS is organized by a team of Harvard students under the auspices of the Harvard Project for Asian and International Relations (HPAIR), a registered student group of Harvard College. ________ Item 15. Conference: Asia and the Other Call for papers Deadline for proposals: 31 December 2006 Deadline for papers: 15 May 2007 The Department of English at National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan, is organizing an international conference entitled “Asia and the Other” to be held on June 23, 2007. Proposals are welcome from various disciplines, including (but not limited to) anthropology, art history and theory, cultural studies, film and media studies, gender studies, geography, history, linguistics, literary studies, performance studies, philosophy, political science, religion studies, and sociology. We are particularly interested in submissions that not only provide historically-grounded reflections but also boldly re-assess predominant theoretical concerns in their specific field. For panel themes and details, see: http://www.eng.ntnu.edu.tw/asia/eng_content.htm Proposals of 500 words or less together with a brief curriculum vitae should be sent to Chun-yen Jo Chen, jochen@ntnu.edu.tw ________ Item 16. Journal of Vietnamese Studies The University of California Press and Digital Publishing is proud to announce the availability of Journal of Vietnamese Studies, the world's only English-language publication devoted exclusively to the history, politics, and culture of Vietnam. For further information, http://www.ucpressjournals.com ________ 17. Website of the month http://www.gmpublications.com/ The Global Media Publications website provides access to new publications on South Asia, Islam, human rights, Dalit studies, sufism, art, journalism, and psychology. =========================================================== The Monash Asia Institute Newsletter incorporates news items from the six research centres of the Monash Asia Institute, partner organisations and other groups working to promote Asian Studies in Australia. For further information about the Monash Asia Institute and this newsletter: http://www.arts.monash.edu.au/mai/ To unsubscribe, please send an email to: monash.asia.institute@adm.monash.edu.au ===========================================================