===================================== MONASH ASIA INSTITUTE BULLETIN 2/2003 14 February 2003 ===================================== In this bulletin 1. Seminar: Democracy in Singapore Today 2. Buddhist Symposium 3. Seminar: Economic Liberalism: The Indian Experience -------------------------------------- Item 1: Monash Asia Institute Special Seminar 1/2003 Monday 24 February 2003 1.00 pm - 2.30 pm Room S822, South Wing, Menzies Building (11), Monash University Clayton Campus (Melway Ref: 70 F11 and 84A Blg 11) TOPIC: DEMOCRACY IN SINGAPORE TODAY SPEAKER: Chris Lydgate Singapore's transition into a modern economic state is well known and admired. Some commentators talk about the 'Singapore' model of economic development. Despite this, the island city's political history is less well understood. The speaker will talk about the characteristics of democracy in contemporary Singapore, with special reference to the role and position of opposition leaders. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Chris Lydgate is visiting Australia on the invitation of his publisher who have just published his book: LEE'S LAW: How Singapore crushes dissent Introduction by Geoffrey Robertson Published by Scribe, February 2003, rrp $33.00 The seminar will provide participants with an opportunity to debate and discuss with Chris Lydgate the question of Singapore's democracy, in particular the conclusions he reached in his new book. 'LEE's LAW' is described by Geoffrey Robertson as: "a case study of the perils of dissent in Singapore, as it traces what befell the country's most prominent opposition politician, JB Jeyaretnam. The book follows Jeyaretnam's stellar career as an ambitious young lawyer, prosecutor, and judge, and shows how he became disenchanted with the system that promoted him. It recounts his stunning political breakthrough at Anson in 1981, and chronicles the devastating consequences of his questioning ­ let alone, opposing Lee Kuan Yew and his government." Chris Lydgate was born in London, and educated at Reed College In Portland, Oregon, USA. He spent eighteen months in Singapore as a freelance reporter in 1997 and 1998, during which time he covered the Jeyaretnam saga for several publications. He has written about Singapore for The Times of London, The Guardian, The Economist and Asiaweek. He is currently a staff writer with a Portland newspaper. RSVPs to Juliet Yee (monash.asia.institute@adm.monash.edu.au) Chris Lydgate's book will be launched at the Reader's Feast Bookstore, Carlton on the same day. Details are: Monday 24 February 2003, 6.30 pm Reader's Feast Bookstore, Cnr Bourke & Swanston Sts, Melbourne Please RSVP to Russ Radcliffe by phone: (03) 9662 4699 or email: russ@readersfeast.com.au. -------------------------------------- Item 2: Buddhist Symposium Saturday 22 February 2003, 2.00 pm - 5.30 pm Room L3, Law Faculty (Building 12) Monash University Clayton campus (Melway reference 70 11F and 84A Blg 12) "The management of emotions in Buddhism" A free symposium (ALL WELCOME) hosted by Monash Asia Institute and The Centre for Studies in Religion and Theology, Monash University Topics and Speakers include: The management of emotions - The Venerable Mahinda Handling the emotions in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition - David Templeman A Buddhist approach to emotional intelligence - Padmasiri de Silva Emotions in health and sickness - Mark Shackleton For more details, see: http://www.arts.monash.edu.au/mai/buddhism.html BOOK LAUNCH The symposium will celebrate the launch of Padmasiri de Silva's new book, "Buddhism, ethics and society: The conflicts and dilemmas of our times" For more details about the book, see: http://www.arts.monash.edu.au/mai/latest.html#buddhism Admission to symposium: Free, ALL WELCOME Enquiries: Emma.hegarty@adm.monash.edu.au, Tel: 9905 4991 -------------------------------------- Item 3: Forthcoming Monash Asia Institute Special Seminar 2/2003 Friday 21 March 2003 12 noon to 2.00 pm Monash University Clayton Campus venue to be advised "Economic Liberalisation: The Indian Experience" Dr Omkar Goswami, Confederation of Indian Industries, New Delhi will speak about economic liberalisation in India and how far the reform process has gone with special reference to opportunities for foreign investment and education. Dr Omkar Goswami is the author of a major academic work on the Marwaris of India, one of the country's leading entrepreneurial groups. He is visiting Australia under the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Special Visitors Program. We are grateful to DFAT for allowing us to benefit from Dr Goswami's visit to Australia. Please send RSVP to Juliet Yee (monash.asia.institute@adm.monash.edu.au) by Monday 17 March 2003. Please use "Indian Seminar" in the message subject and indicate, for catering purposes, if you prefer a vegetarian or non-vegetarian menu. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Monash Asia Institute Newsletter incorporates news items from the Centre of Southeast Asian Studies, National Centre for South Asian Studies, Japanese Studies Centre, Centre for Malaysian Studies, the China Research Centre and the Asia Pacific Health and Nutrition Centre. For further information about the Monash Asia Institute and this newsletter: http://www.arts.monash.edu.au/mai/ or email monash.asia.institute@adm.monash.edu.au --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------