===================================== MONASH ASIA INSTITUTE BULLETIN 12/2005 18 October 2005 ===================================== In this bulletin 1. Special seminar on the US and China 2. CSEAS Seminar 3. Documentary film on Acehnese performance 4. Seminar: HIV in Laos 5. 2005 India Update 6. Public Lecture: Tibetan Treasure-finding 7. Lecture: Japanese Lacquer 8. Asian Studies Research Survey - Due date: 25 October 2005 10. PhD Confirmation Seminar: Sacred Objects in Tibetan Buddhism 10. MAI Postgraduate Seminar - Singapore Elections ---------- Item 1. Special seminar on the US and China Global Terrorism Research Unit School of Political and Social Inquiry and Monash Asia Institute Thursday 20 October, 9.00 am Room S703 (South Wing, 7th Floor), Menzies Building (Building 11) Monash University, Clayton Campus "U.S. perspectives on the peaceful rise of China" Speaker: Dr Bates Gill, Freeman Chair in China Studies Center for Strategic and International Studies (Washington, DC) Biography Dr. Bates Gill holds the Freeman Chair in China Studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, DC. He previously served as a Senior Fellow in Foreign Policy Studies and inaugural Director of the Center for Northeast Asian Policy Studies at the Brookings Institution, D.C. Prior to that position, he directed East Asia programs at the Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute, Monterey, California and at the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, and formerly held the Fei Yiming Chair in Comparative Politics at the Johns Hopkins University Center for Chinese and American Studies, Nanjing, China. A specialist in East Asian foreign policy and politics, his research focuses primarily on Northeast Asian political and security issues, especially with regard to China. His current projects include research on the divergence in strategic outlook, which increasingly characterizes U.S.-China relations, on Chinese nuclear weapons modernization, and on the challenge of HIV/AIDS in China. He is the author of three books: Contrasting Visions: U.S., China, and World Order (Brookings Institution Press, forthcoming), China's Arms Acquisitions from Abroad: A Quest for "Superb and Secret Weapons" (Oxford University Press, 1995) (with Taeho Kim) and Chinese Arms Transfers (Praeger, 1992). He has also co-edited two other books entitled, Arms, Transparency, and Security in Southeast Asia (Oxford University Press, 1997) and Weathering the Storm: Taiwan, Its Neighbors, and the Asian Financial Crisis (Brookings Institution Press, 2000). He has recently published articles on the U.S.-China relationship in such journals as Foreign Affairs and National Interest, co-prepared a report on China's strategic rocket forces for the U.S. National Intelligence Council, and completed a major study on Chinese arms trade and export controls. Other recent works appear in Survival, Washington Post, Washington Times, International Herald Tribune, Los Angeles Times, Newsday, China Quarterly and Far Eastern Economic Review. Among his professional affiliations, Dr. Gill serves on the Board of Directors of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations, the U.S.-China Policy Foundation, the American Association for Chinese Studies and the Feris Foundation of America. He is also on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Contemporary China and the Washington Journal of Modern China. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, the International Institute of Strategic Studies and an Overseas Research Fellow with the Korean Institute for Defense Analyses, Seoul, Korea. Dr. Gill received his Ph.D. in Foreign Affairs from the Woodrow Wilson Department of Government and Foreign Affairs, University of Virginia, USA. He has lived more than two years in China and Taiwan, and more than five years in Europe (France, Sweden, Switzerland). A frequent visitor to East Asia, Dr. Gill speaks, reads, and writes in Chinese, English, and French. Enquiries: Dr Peter Lentini, School of Political and Social Inquiry, ---------- Item 2. CSEAS Seminar Thursday 20 October 2005, 11.00 am - 12.30 pm Manton Room SG02, Ground Floor, Menzies Building (11) South Monash University Clayton campus "Species, race and 'murder' in colonial Indonesia: the orang pendek of Sumatra" Speaker: Dr Robert Cribb, Senior Fellow, Division Pacific and Asian History, RSPAS, Australian National University Enquiries: Dr Penelope Graham Senior Lecturer in Anthropology and Director, Centre of Southeast Asian Studies, Monash University Email: penny.graham@arts.monash.edu.au ---------- Item 3. Documentary film School of Music-Conservatorium, Monash University and Monash Asia Institute Thursday 20 October 2005, 5.00 pm - 7.00pm Burchill Rooms, Performing Arts Complex (Building 68), Monash University Clayton campus "Seudati: Percakapan dengan Seniman" (Seudati: Conversations with Artists) A documentary feature film in Bahasa Indonesia and Acehnese languages with English subtitle. Presented by Mr Iwan Amir, PhD student, School of Music-Conservatorium, Monash University Abstract Seudati is considered to be the foremost example of the Acehnese traditional performing arts. It is a combination of singing and dancing that can include social and political commentary. Combining live performances and conversations with seudati exponents, this documentary - the first on the subject - provides an extensive insight into this art form, which has at times earned support and at others drew condemnation from Acehnese elites throughout its history. The film, based on Amir's interviews with leading artists in Aceh in 2004, will run for approx 78 mins, followed by discussion, questions and answers. Enquiries: Professor Margaret Kartomi, School of Music - Conservatorium, Faculty of Arts Email: Margaret.Kartomi@arts.monash.edu.au ---------- Item 4. Development Studies Seminar School of Anthropology, Geography and Environmental Studies (SAGES) Melbourne University Thursday 20 October 2005, 12.00 pm Room B1.24, 221 Bouverie Street The University of Melbourne, Carlton "HIV Prevention in a Very Poor Low Prevalence Country: Laos" Speaker: Dr Mike Toole Head, Centre for International Health, Macfarlane Burnet Institute Enquiries: Dr Salim Lakha (Coordinator, Development Studies Program) Email: salim@unimelb.edu.au ---------- Item 5. India Update Saturday 22 October 2005 Bank West Theatrette Curtin University of Technology Perth WA, Australia This year's India Update will consist of four sessions: 1. India's role in the Asian Region India-China economic and strategic linkages (Prof A. K. Bagchi) India's economic and political links with Singapore and South-East Asia (Faizal Yahya) 2. Australia and India - future economic and cultural relationships. The growth and internationalisation of Indian businesses. 3. Political developments in India and the performance of the new UPA national government. 4. India as a regional power: International and strategic implications Enquiries: Assoc Prof Bob Pokrant Director, South Asia Research Unit Division of Humanities, Curtin University of Technology email:B.Pokrant@curtin.edu.au ---------- Item 6. Public Lecture The Asian Arts Society of Australia (TAASA) presents "Tibetan Treasure-finding, an Ancient Tradition" A Lecture by Diana Cousens Wednesday 26th Oct 2005, 6.15 pm Victorian Writers' Centre 1st Floor, Nicholas Building 37 Swanston St, Melbourne In Tibetan Buddhism the concealment of images, texts, and other artefacts, so that they can be found at a suitable future time, is a long standing tradition. Jamgon Kongtrul was a 19th century discoverer of these materials. Diana Cousens will discuss the life of Kongtrul, and how his dreams and visions created the possibility of finding treasures. Entry: Members $5, Non-members $10 Refreshments provided Enquiries: Tel. 9428 0282 Diana Cousens, ---------- Item 7. Lecture The Pauline Gandel Collection of Japanese Lacquer in collaboration with the Japanese Studies Centre Monash University presents "The Eternal Beauty of Japanese Lacquer" Dr Donatella Failla Director, Edoardo Chiossone Museum of Japanese Art Genoa Italy Thursday 27 October 2005, 6.00 pm Monash City Centre Level 7, 30 Collins Street Melbourne From antiquity, lacquer has been used in various regions of Eastern Asia to protect and beautify many kinds of objects: both those used as daily implements and as highly symbolic items. Maki-e - the general term for a decorative method in which gold or silver powder is sprinkled on still-damp lacquer in order to produce designs - constitutes the most original and unique creation of Japanese lacquer artists, who have deeply and extensively explored its artistic potential, accomplishing an extraordinary degree of technical perfection and artistic beauty which culminated during the Edo period (1603-1868). Dr Failla is a world expert on Japanese art - with specialist knowledge of Japanese lacquer ware - who has published widely. She has also advised on the preservation and restoration of lacquer and other Japanese artworks for the Japanese Ministry of Education's Agency for Cultural Affairs and the Japanese National Research Institute of Culture Property Bookings essential: by Friday 21 October Tel: 9905 8245, teresa.anile@arts.monash.edu.au ---------- Item 8. Asian Studies Research Survey - REMINDER - Closing Date: 25 October 2005 WIN $100 WORTH OF BOOKS! The National Library of Australia and the International Centre of Excellence in Asia-Pacific Studies (ANU) invite you to contribute to a national survey of Asian studies researchers. We are gathering information on trends in current research on Asia, and whether researchers have access to the information and resources they need for their research. Are libraries meeting the needs of today's researchers? Is a Google search enough? If you have a view on this, please fill in the survey, which will take no more than five minutes to complete. If you wish to remain anonymous, please enter in the email address field. You will find the survey at http://iceaps.anu.edu.au/asianstudies_survey.html The information gathered will assist ICEAPS, the National Library and university libraries to better plan library and information services to support Asian studies researchers. Analysis of the results will be presented to the National Library's Asia Research Forum, to be held in Canberra at the National Library on 24 October. For further information, go to: http://www.nla.gov.au/asian/asiaforum/asiaforum.html All those filling in the survey will go into a draw to win one of two Asia Bookroom gift vouchers or online credit to the value of $100 each. The prizes will be drawn during the Asia Research Forum on 24 October by Sally Burdon, proprietor of the Asia Bookroom. Winners will be notified by email on 25 October. ---------- Item 9. MAI PhD confirmation seminar Friday 28 October 2005, 10.00 am Room S822, Level 8 South, Building 11 Monash Asia Institute, Monash University Clayton campus 'Self-Arising Sacred Objects in Tibetan Buddhism'. Ms Diana Cousens, PhD candidate, Monash Asia Institute Self-arising sacred images ie not manufactured by people or naturally occurring images (Skt. svayambhu, Tib. Rang Byung - pronounced rangjung) are recognised in both Hindu and Buddhist traditions. Classically, the most common form in Hinduism is the uncut smooth stone that has the natural form of the lingam. In Buddhism there are various objects that have been given this description and over the centuries these have included anthropomorphic bas-relief in stone, buildings, bronze artefacts, striped beads, and different kinds of human relics. Ideas about rangjung objects form a significant part of Tibetan mythology and these have an impact on an understanding of history, religion and culture. Diana Cousens is a PhD candidate at the Monash Asia Institute. She has an MA from La Trobe University in Tibetan History and in 2004 produced a booklet on palliative care, 'Buddhist Care for the Dying', which was distributed by the Victorian Multicultural Commission to all prisons, hospitals and nursing homes. Enquiries and RSVP (with "Tibetan seminar" as subject heading) to Sanjeev Veloo (sanjeev.veloo@adm.monash.edu.au) ---------- Item 10. MAI Postgraduate Seminar Monash Asia Institute November 2005 (date to be confirmed), 10.00 am Room S822, Level 8 South, Building 11 Monash Asia Institute, Monash University Clayton campus "Election Watch: Opposition Parties and the Internet in Singapore" Mr James Gomes, PhD Candidate, Monash Asia Institute News that the general elections will be called well before the July 2007 deadline has seen much political activity among opposition parties in Singapore. In particular, opposition parties have begun to revamp their websites in order to secure a communications advantage during election time. The expected higher use of the internet by opposition parties during the next elections in part lies with rules allowing its usage in 2001. This seminar provides an overview of the fieldwork undertaken by MAI PhD candidate James Gomez in the last nine months in Singapore. He will share some of the learning points he has discovered in undertaking in-depth interviews in the field. James Gomez started his PhD research at MAI on 1 March 2004. He has thus far completed five draft chapters and published several journals articles. Enquiries and RSVP (with "Election seminar" as subject heading) to Sanjeev Veloo (sanjeev.veloo@adm.monash.edu.au) ======================================================================== 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 ========================================================================