===================================== MONASH ASIA INSTITUTE BULLETIN 8/2006 14 August 2006 ===================================== In this bulletin 1. Seminar: Digital Visions of Angkor 2. Film: Sitting Dances from Aceh 3. Seminar: Understanding Indonesian Pesantren 4. Seminar: Prof Nicholas Lardy on Chinese Economy 5. Seminar: Pattani Muslims in Thailand 6. Seminar: Australia-Indonesia relations 7. Survey: Study-Work-Life Balance of International Students 8. Seminar: Citizenship and the Law in Malaysia 9. Workshop: Islamic Culture(s), Nation-building and the Media 10. Interfaith Seminar 11. Book Launch: Violent Conflicts in Indonesia 12. Lecture: Imperial Ceramics with Longevity Motifs 13. Seminars: Environmental and Sustainable Development in Japan and Europe 14. Forum: Misunderstanding Indonesia 15. Workshop: Voices of Islam in Southeast Asia 16. Tasmanian Buddhist Studies in India Exchange Program 17. Website of month: The Sukunan Sustainable Living Program ===================================== Monash Asia Institute News and Events ===================================== Item 1. Centre of Southeast Asian Studies Seminar 17 August 2006, 11.00 am - 12.30 pm Manton Room SG02, Ground Floor, Menzies Building (11) South, Monash University Clayton campus "Digital Visions of Angkor" Mr Tom Chandler, Lecturer, Faculty of Information Technology and PhD candidate, Monash University Details: http://www.arts.monash.edu.au/mai/cseas/seminar06.html Enquiries: Dr Penelope Graham, Email: penny.graham@arts.monash.edu.au ________ Item 2. Film on Sitting Dances from Aceh The School of Music – Conservatorium, Monash University, Centre of Southeast Asian Studies and Monash Asia Institute Host a Seminar - Documentary Screening: "Merantau Tanpa Melangkah: Perjalanan Tari Duduk dari Aceh ke Mancanegara (Travel without Walking: The Journey of the Sitting Dances from Aceh to the Whole World)" presented by Mr Iwan Amir Monday, 21 August 2006, 6:00 – 7:30 PM Elizabeth Burchill Room, School of Music – Conservatorium, Building 68, Monash University, Clayton Light refreshments will be provided Acehnese sitting dances are an exciting traditional performance genre involving extemporised sung verse, body percussion and highly coordinated group choreography. Iwan Amir, the film-maker, will present his recent film and lead a discussion about the documentary making and the genre. Iwan Dzulvan Amir holds an MPhil degree in Anthropology, ANU, and is a PhD candidate in Ethnomusicology at the School of Music – Conservatorium, Monash University. He has studied Aceh since 1996 and was raised in the region. Enquiries and RSVP: Ms Jodie Wood Jodie.Wood@arts.monash.edu.au or Dr Graeme Smith ________ Item 3. Centre of Southeast Asian Studies Seminar 24 August 2006, 11.00 am - 12.30 pm Manton Room SG02, Ground Floor, Menzies Building (11) South, Monash University Clayton campus "Understanding Indonesian Pesantren" Mr Suparto, Lecturer, State Islamic University (UIN), Jakarta, and PhD candidate in Education, Monash University Abstract Indonesia's pesantren, or Islamic boarding schools, have been a part of Indonesian Islam for hundreds of years. Pesantren are traditionally known as reputable institutions, spreading literacy, traditional knowledge and an independence of thought to the masses. In recent times many people outside Indonesia have come to associate pesantren with names like Amrozi and Imam Samudra, assuming that Islamic schools are little more than breeding grounds for extremism, Islamic militants and terrorists. With thousands of pesantren found throughout Indonesia today, how have they changed over time? Who has influence over the curriculum and how are they dealing with an ever-globalising world? What resemblance do the negative stereotypes now found in the West have to the real life teachings of Indonesia's pesantren? Suparto is completing a PhD thesis at Monash University on the remaking of Pesantren. Details: http://www.arts.monash.edu.au/mai/cseas/seminar06.html Enquiries: Dr Penelope Graham, Email: penny.graham@arts.monash.edu.au ________ Item 4. Lecture on the Chinese economy Hosted by the Monash Asia Institute and Asian Business and Economics Research Unit (ABERU), Faculty of Business and Economics. Friday 25 August 2006, 9.30 am Room E365, Building 11 (Menzies), Monash University Clayton campus “The U.S economic engagement in Asia and the implications for Australia.” Speaker: Professor Nicholas Lardy About the speaker Professor Nicholas Lardy is a world authority on the Chinese economy. He is a senior fellow at the Institute for International Economics in Washington (IIE), DC. Prof Lardy came to IIE in March 2003 from the Brookings Institution, where he was a senior fellow in the Foreign Policy Studies Program from 1995 until 2003 and served as Interim Director of Foreign Policy Studies in 2001. Prior to his work at Brookings, he served at the University of Washington, where he was the director of the Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies from 1991–95. From 1997 through the spring of 2000, he was also the Frederick Frank Adjunct Professor of International Trade and Finance at the Yale University School of Management. His special expertise is on the Chinese economy. Monash gratefully acknowledges the support of the US Consulate, Melbourne, for this seminar. RSVP (essential) with “Chinese economy seminar” in subject heading to Dr Tony Donaldson, tony.donaldson@adm.monash.edu.au ________ Item 5. MAI 'Reports from Asia' seminar “The Pattani Muslims of Southern Thailand.” Speaker: Ms. Virginie Andre, PhD Candidate, School of Political and Social Inquiry, Monash University Wednesday 30 August 2006, 1.00 pm S822, Level 8 South, Building 11 (Menzies), Monash University Clayton campus Enquiries: Dr Tony Donaldson, tony.donaldson@adm.monash.edu.au ________ Item 6. Centre of Southeast Asian Studies Seminar 31 August 2006, 11.00 am - 12.30 pm Manton Room SG02, Ground Floor, Menzies Building (11) South, Monash University Clayton campus "How to think about Australia-Indonesia relations" Prof Richard Tanter, Adjunct Professor of International Relations, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology and Senior Research Associate, Nautilus Institute in San Francisco and at RMIT. Details: http://www.arts.monash.edu.au/mai/cseas/seminar06.html Enquiries: Dr Penelope Graham, Email: penny.graham@arts.monash.edu.au ________ Item 7. Research Project: Study-Work-Life Balance of International Students International Students at Monash are invited to participate in a research project about Study, Work and Life Balance. It is hoped that the results will facilitate new policies regarding international students. Participation in this research is entirely voluntary. The survey ends on 31 August 2006. For full details, see: http://www.arts.monash.edu.au/mai/lifebalance/ _________ Item 8. Joint Seminar presented by Centre of Southeast Asian Studies and Centre for Malaysian Studies 7 September 2006, 11.00 am - 12.30 pm Manton Room SG02, Ground Floor, Menzies Building (11) South, Monash University Clayton campus Joint seminar Centre for Malaysian Studies and the Centre of Southeast Asian Studies, MAI Chair: Dr Wendy Smith, Centre for Malaysian Studies, MAI "Democracy and Exclusion: Islam, Citizenship and the Law in Malaysia" Mr Julian C H Lee, PhD candidate in Anthropology, SAGES, University of Melbourne. Abstract Processes of Islamisation have increasingly been felt in various areas of Malaysian life. It would seem that Islam is beginning to provide the underlying framework or Grundnorm of law, society and politics. This is manifest, for instance, in the tendency for civil court judges to defer to the Shari’ah courts in matters which involve an element of Islam. This is notably so in cases where people wish to convert out of Islam or argue that the religion of a deceased person was not Islam. In such cases, the Shari’ah court is judged to be the appropriate venue to determine this even though non-Muslims have no standing there and even though Article 11 of the Malaysian constitution guarantees freedom of religion. The centralisation of Islam in Malaysian politics predictably marginalises non-Muslim and unorthodox Malaysians. This naturally has a bearing on citizenship and democracy. The openness of public space is a pre-condition for enacting one’s citizenship and participating in democracy in its widest sense. The reduction of public space which Islamisation brings about for certain segments of the population constitutes an attrition of Malaysian democracy. In this paper, Julian Lee will describe some of the manifestations of Islamisation in Malaysia and he will point to what he thinks are the primary factors in shaping and propelling it. Amongst the theorists Lee will use in his description are Roy Rappaport, Michael Jackson and Ward Goodenough. Details: http://www.arts.monash.edu.au/mai/cseas/seminar06.html Enquiries: Dr Penelope Graham, Email: penny.graham@arts.monash.edu.au ________ Item 9. Workshop - Islamic Culture(s), Nation-building and the Media: Contemporary Issues Hosted by the Monash Asia Institute Friday and Saturday, 22-23 September 2006, 9.00 am – 5.00 pm The Windsor Hotel, 103 Spring St, Melbourne Workshop website: http://www.arts.monash.edu.au/mai/islam/ This two-day workshop will focus on the processes of nation-building and the role of Islamic culture(s) within these processes. In the Islamic world, the understandings given to nation-building involve reflection on models, traditions and authoritative pasts that are in some ways ‘Islamic’. This workshop will bring together established and early career scholars to discuss the cultural influence of Islam on nation-building in the Asia-Pacific region. The workshop will embrace APFRN 2006 Signature Theme, ‘Building Effective Communication in the Asia Pacific’, in its final session. Journalists will present views on the obstacles to effective dialogue between the media and academia, and the specific ways in which the ‘media frame contests over nation in Islamic countries’. The keynote speakers are Professor Dr Abdul Munir Mulkhan (Yogyakarta, Indonesia) and Professor Hossein Elahi Qomshei (Tehran). NB The Friday morning session will be open to the public for a special fee. The session will involve our two international keynote speakers. We encourage participants at postgraduate and postdoctoral level. Some financial assistance is available for early career researchers travelling from interstate. Abstracts and a brief biography should be sent to the convenors: Dr Julian Millie, Julian.Millie@adm.monash.edu.au, or Dr. Faridullah Bezhan Faridullah.bezhan@adm.monash.edu.au Funding and host organisations for this workshop: ARC Asia Pacific Futures Research Network, Monash Asia Institute, UNE Asia Centre, UWA School of Politics, ANU Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies. ===================================== Monash News and Events ===================================== Item 10. Interfaith Seminar Tuesday 22 August, 9.30 am – 5 pm Bayview Conference Centre, Bayview Rd, Clayton ‘Tolerance and world peace’ Interfaith Seminar Monash University is hosting an international interfaith seminar based around the themes of tolerance and world peace and the role of faith, the church, state, education and other institutions. The Bangladeshi State Minister for Religion, the Honourable Mr Mosharef Hossain Shahjahan and Rabbi David Rosen will act as keynote speakers. An opening address will be provided by Monash Vice-Chancellor Professor Richard Larkins and significant speakers from a range of faiths will participate in sessions throughout the day. Rabbi Rosen is the President of the International Jewish Committee that represents world Jewry in its relations with other religions, and is a papal Knight Commander of the Order of St Gregory the Great for his outstanding contributions in promoting Catholic-Jewish reconciliation. Mr Mosharef, who is also President of the Bangladesh chapter of the Asian Conference of Religions for Peace, said although no religion taught violence or encouraged hatred toward others it was difficult to think of any kind of crime that had not been committed in the name of religion. “In this predicament, a lasting and peaceful society is impossible unless the clashing faiths are reconciled,” he said. “This could be, and should be, done through knowledge, dialogue and demonstration of the fact that love, compassion and selflessness and the inner force of truthfulness ultimately have greater power than hatred, enmity and self-interest.” Admission: $20, including morning tea, light lunch and afternoon tea RSVP: Contact 9905 1344 or email irene.thavarajah@adm.monash.edu.au Website: http://www.monash.edu.au/cmo/interfaith/ For further information contact Seminar Co-Facilitator Dr Quamrul Alam on 9903 1030 or Ms Natasha Whalley, Media Communications on +61 3 9905 9201 or 0437 458 457. ===================================== Other News and Events ===================================== Item 11. Book launch Friday 18 August 2006, 2.00 pm for 2.30pm Executive Lounge, Alan Gilbert Building, 161 Barry Street, Carlton 3053 The Indonesian forum in association with Melbourne University Bookshop invite you to the launch of "Violent Conflicts in Indonesia - Analysis, representation, resolution" edited by Charles A. Coppel, and "Anti-Chinese Violence in Indonesia, 1996-1999" by Jemma Purdey. The two books will be launched by Sidney Jones Light halal refreshments will be served RSVP by 14 August to s.nanscawan@unimelb.edu.au ________ Item 12. Lecture on Chinese Imperial Ceramics The National Gallery of Victoria & The Asian Arts Society of Australia Present an Evening Lecture Tuesday 22 Aug, 6 for 6.30pm The Clemenger Auditorium, NGV International 180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne (enter via north entrance, Arts Centre forecourt) “Happy Birthday to the Kangxi Emperor: Imperial Ceramics with Longevity Motifs” Speaker Peter Y. K. Lam, Director, Art Museum, The Chinese University of Hong Kong The Kangxi Emperor, Xuanye (1654-1722CE), was one of the very few capable and worthy emperors in Chinese history. He forbade extravagant celebrations for his annual birthdays. The only exception was 1713 when he was sixty. There was a massive nationwide celebration. Officials and members of the imperial household offered birthday tributes to the emperor. These gifts carry good wishes for longevity. This illustrated lecture will introduce porcelain wares produced by the Imperial Porcelain Factory in Jingdezhen for this celebration in 1713. An attempt has also been made to identify the Imperial Factory Supervisor who was responsible for the production of these porcelain pieces. Peter Y. K. Lam, a graduate from the Percival David Foundation of Chinese Art, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, is an art historian as well as a museum professional. His scholarly works on Chinese ceramics, calligraphy rubbings and the decorative arts are widely published. For the past thirty years he has been with the Art Museum, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, where he is its Director, concurrently an honorary professor at the Fine Arts Department. He is a long time member of the Min Chiu Society of prominent collectors in Hong Kong, a council member of the Chinese Society of Ancient Ceramics in Beijing, and member of the Antiquities Advisory Board, Hong Kong SAR Government. Details: http://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/whatson/whatson_eventlist.jsp?locationID=4&eventID=25 Entry Cost: $25 / $20 NGV, TAASA Members Enquiries: National Gallery of Victoria, tel: 8620 2222 or 8662 1555 ________ Item 13. Environmental and Sustainable Development in Japan and Europe Wednesday, 23 August 2006, 6.00 p.m. Storey Hall, RMIT University, 342 Swanston Street, Melbourne The Asia Society AustralAsia Centre, Consulate-General of Japan, Melbourne and RMIT University present Professor HARA Takeshi, Waseda University “Environmental and Sustainable Development in Japan” During the 1960’s, Japan suffered severe environmental destruction as the Japanese economy grew rapidly. Professor Hara will speak on the present practice of sustainable development in harmony with environment protection. Since 1998 Professor Hara has lectured on the environment, sustainable development and mass media principles at the Graduate School of Asia-Pacific Studies at Waseda University. Prompted by the effect of environmental destruction on food production, he actively reports on and releases critiques on desertification, global warming, destruction of the ozone layer, loss of biodiversity, chemical fertilizers, pesticides, etc. from the field point of view. Professor Hara was awarded the Global 500 Environmental News Reporting Award from the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) in 1993. Professor Wim Hafkamp Erasmus University “Environmental and Sustainable Development Policy in Europe” Professor Wim Hafkamp is the head of the Erasmus Centre for Sustainable Development and Management, Erasmus University, Holland. Professor Hafkamp is in Melbourne as an RMIT Visiting Scholar. The Australian – Japan Year of Exchange 2006 Free Public Lecture Please RSVP to reserve a seat to - Asia Society AustralAsia Centre Telephone: Mila Sudarsono (03) 9650 0998 Fax: (03) 9654 6680 Email: milas@asiasoc.org.au ________ Item 14. Forum at fortyfivedownstairs Monday 28 August 2006, 5:30 pm for 6:00 pm start 45 Flinders Lane Melbourne "Misunderstanding Indonesia" Misperceptions of contemporary Indonesia by many Australians are damaging the possibilities of a positive relationship with our northern neighbour. This seminar introduces two Australian specialists in Indonesian studies whose views present an alternative to such negative perceptions. Dr Greg Fealy, Senior Lecturer in Indonesian Politics at the Australian National University College of Asia and the Pacific, will discuss Indonesian Islam. Dr Edward Aspinall, Fellow in Indonesian Politics at the same College, will look at questions of separatism and their impact on the Indonesian nation. The presentations will be introduced and moderated by Dr Joan Grant, former Executive Officer of Monash Asia Institute and Senior Lecturer in Contemporary Asian Studies. There will be time for questions and discussion. Tickets $10/$8; Bookings: Tel: 9662 9966 ________ Item 15. Workshop: Voices of Islam in Southeast Asia Call for papers Deadline for submission of abstracts: 30 October 2006 Due date for submission of papers: 5 February 2007 A Workshop on Islamic Studies and the Study of Muslim Societies in Southeast Asia for Young Southeast Asian Scholars. 24-25 February 2007, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand, The Regional Studies Program, Walailak University, in conjunction with the Southeast Asian Studies Regional Exchange Program (SEASREP), are pleased to announce a workshop to bring together scholars in Europe and Southeast Asia to discuss changes in the study of Islam and Muslim societies and how these changes are impacting upon our understanding of Islam and Muslims in Europe and Southeast Asia. The aim of the workshop will be to highlight the diversity of discourses about Islam and Muslim societies in contemporary Southeast Asia, to support and highlight the latest research currently being carried out by young Southeast Asian scholars in the field of Islamic Studies and on the study of Muslim societies in Southeast Asia, and to produce a published volume of essays on these themes. The Workshop committee will accept proposals on all aspects of contemporary research in Islamic Studies and the study of Muslims in Southeast Asia. However particular consideration will be given to proposals that address the following issues: - Trends in Islamic Studies in Southeast Asia - Trends in the Study of Southeast Asian Muslims - Islam and the Social Sciences - Islam and Liberalism - Islam, Southeast Asia, and America - Southeast Asian Islam and the Middle East - Wahabism in Southeast Asia - Discourses of “Moderate”, “Conservative”, and “Radical” Islam - Islam and Gender Issues - Islam in Contemporary Southeast Asian Politics Enquiries to jpatrick@wu.ac.th Or write to the Regional Studies Program, School of Liberal Arts, Walailak University, 222 Thaiburi, Tha Sala, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand 80160, Tel. +66 75 672 073, Fax. +66 75 673 001 ________ Item 16. Tasmanian Buddhist Studies in India Exchange Program The University of Tasmania Buddhist Studies in India Exchange Program will running a Summer School unit to be held in India from late 28 December 2006 - 31 January 2007. The Exchange program, administered under the direction of the School of Philosophy, counts as a 25% credit unit at the University of Tasmania and involves students in an intensive month long study program conducted by staff from the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies at Sarnath just outside Varanasi. The costs of travel, insurance, accommodation and meals, as well as visits to important historic and cultural sites, are included in the overall cost of the program (up to $4,000), although applicants should note that the unit also incurs a HECS charge. The minimum requirement for admission into the program is completion of first-year studies at any Australian University. Interested applicants should contact the Sandra Kellett, Executive Officer at the School of Philosophy at the University of Tasmania, (email: kellett@utas.edu.au - Ph: 03 6226 7581) no later than 31 August 2006. This is a unique opportunity to learn more about Indo-Tibetan Philosophy, History and Culture as well as the chance to experience a radically different cultural environment. For more details, http://www.utas.edu.au/philosophy/buddhist/summercourse.html ________ Item 17. Website of month - The Sukunan sustainable living program http://www.arts.monash.edu.au/mai/sukunan/ The Monash Asia Institute has recently launched a website for the Sukunan program in Java, Indonesia. The website, which is currently being developed, provides information about the Sukunan sustainable living program and its growth and development. ===================================================================== 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 =====================================================================