===================================== MONASH ASIA INSTITUTE BULLETIN 7/2006 19 July 2006 ===================================== In this bulletin 1. Seminar: Kaesong Industrial Park 2. Seminar: Rehabilitation and reconstruction in Aceh 3. Seminar: 'Islam and Democracy' with Anwar Ibrahim 4. Seminar: ISEAS Visiting Fellowship by Dr Leon Comber 5. Seminar: Hindu Identity in Bali 6. AsiaSociety Update: Professor Richard Larkins AO 7. Indonesia Food & Trade Festival 8. Performance: Gamelan in the Gallery 9. Seminar: India's Space Program 10. Seminar: The Future of the Malaysian Economy 11. Papua Searching for Justice 12. Call for Papers: South Asian Studies - Transnational Issues 13. Workshop: Internet in the Asia-Pacific 14. Exhibition: 'Bollywood Dreams' 15. Website of the month: Representing Indian women 1875 - 1947 ===================================== Monash Asia Institute News and Events ===================================== Item 1. MAI 'Reports from Asia' seminar "Kaesong Industrial Park, Korea" Speaker: Ms Geetha Govindasamy, PhD Candidate, Monash Asia Institute Wednesday 19 July 2006, 1.00 pm S822, Level 8 South, Building 11 (Menzies), Monash University Clayton campus Ms Govindasamy will speak on her recent visit to Kaesong Industrial Park, 6 kms north of the DMZ (demilitarized zone) in North Korea. The capital is being provided by South Korean firms and the labour by North Korea. More than 1000 South Korean firms are rethinking planned shifts of production from China and Southeast Asia to Kaesong. Enquiries: Dr Tony Donaldson, tony.donaldson@adm.monash.edu.au ________ Item 2. CSEAS Seminar Centre of Southeast Asian Studies, Monash Asia Institute Thursday 20 July 2006, 11.00 am - 12.30 pm Manton Room SG02, Ground Floor, Menzies Building (11) South, Monash University Clayton campus "Problems and challenges of rehabilitation and reconstruction in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam" Speaker: Associate Prof Robert Rice Abstract A/Prof Robert Rice has just completed a nine-month tour with AUSAID and the UNDP as Economic Revitalisation and Development Advisor to the Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam and Nias Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Agency, the main Indonesian Government agency responsible for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of these two tsunami and earthquake hit regions. In this presentation, he will speak primarily about the problems and challenges in this work and how AUSAID and the UNDP are attempting to deal with these challenges in Aceh. ALL WELCOME Enquiries: Dr Penelope Graham, penny.graham@arts.monash.edu.au ________ Item 3. Seminar 'Islam and Democracy' with Anwar Ibrahim Friday 21 July 2006, 6.00 pm - 8.30pm Carrillo Gantner Theatre Sidney Myer Asia Centre, Melbourne University Cnr Swanston St & Monash Rd, Melbourne In this special seminar, Anwar Ibrahim will present a 30-40 minute lecture which will then be followed by a panel of commentators reflecting on his presentation. Panelists include Dr David Wright-Neville, Politics Department (Monash University) and Prof Michael Leigh, Asia Institute (Melbourne University). Mr Anwar Ibrahim, former Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister of Malaysia, has been described as the moderate voice of Islam in Southeast Asia, an economic rationalist and an effective politician. The seminar is organised by the Monash Asia Institute, Centre for Religion and Theology (Monash), and the Asia Institute at the University of Melbourne. Details: http://www.arts.monash.edu.au/mai/seminars.html#anwar RSVP (essential) with subject heading "Islam and democracy seminar" to Dr Tony Donaldson, tony.donaldson@adm.monash.edu.au ________ Item 4. MAI 'Reports from Asia' seminar Wednesday 26 July 2006, 1.00 pm S822, Level 8 South, Building 11 (Menzies), Monash University Clayton campus Report on Singapore visiting Research Fellowship Dr Leon Comber, Monash Asia Institute Dr Leon Comber was a visiting Research Fellow at the Institute of South East Asian Studies (ISEAS) in Singapore (“his second home”) for two months, from May – June this year. He has wide multi-disciplinary interest in Asian Studies, ranging from History, Security Intelligence, Asian Languages and Literature and Publishing. His doctoral thesis, “Malaya’s Secret Police, 1945-60. The Role of the Special Branch in the Malayan Emergency” is now being published by ISEAS-MAI Press, and a selection of his earlier small books on Chinese life and customs in Singapore in the 1950s/60s are being brought together and re-published as one volume by the Singapore Heritage Society. In this seminar, Dr Comber will speak about his recent visit to Singapore. Enquiries: Dr Tony Donaldson, tony.donaldson@adm.monash.edu.au ________ Item 5. CSEAS Seminar Thursday 27 July 2006, 11.00 am - 12.30 pm Manton Room SG02, Ground Floor, Menzies Building (11) South, Monash University Clayton campus "Global Trends in Religion: Terrorism, Tourism, Migration and the Reaffirmation of Hindu Identity in Bali" Speaker: Dr Thomas Reuter Abstract Ajeg Bali, a new cultural revival movement in Bali, Indonesia, is reflecting a growing sense of disenfranchisement and desire for self-empowerment among Hindu Balinese. Contributing factors to the rise of this movement are political decentralisation after 32 years of authoritarian rule, the touristification of local culture, increasing economic dependence on a global market, the perceived security threat after the terrorist bomb attack in Bali in October 2002, the growing influx of Muslim labour migrants from the 1980s onward, and fears of a possible Islamisation of the Indonesian state. The study of this and similar social movements in Indonesia sheds light on new global trends in religion and an associated politics of identity. ALL WELCOME Enquiries: Dr Penelope Graham, penny.graham@arts.monash.edu.au ===================================== Monash News and Events ===================================== Item 6. CEO Asia Update luncheon with guest speaker Professor Richard Larkins AO The Chairman and Directors of the Asia Society AustralAsia Centre invite you to attend a CEO Asia Update luncheon with guest speaker: Professor Richard Larkins AO Vice Chancellor and President Monash University Thursday, 3rd August 2006, 12.00 noon for 12.30 p.m. Trilogy Room, Park Hyatt Melbourne, 1 Parliament Square, (off Parliament Place) Melbourne "Engaging with India – a New Model" The potential for India in science and technology is high. This is understood by business and industry with large investment from multinationals in research in India. There is enormous intellectual capital particularly in young people looking for high quality research training. Monash University wishes to share in the development of India and gain from the investment by governments and industry in research and research training by forming a joint research academy with the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay. The links formed will be invaluable to Australia. Professor Richard Larkins AO was appointed Vice-Chancellor and President of Monash University in 2003. Prior to his appointment, he was Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences at the University of Melbourne. Before becoming Dean, he held the James Stewart Chair of Medicine at the Royal Melbourne Hospital from 1984 to 1997. He has also served as Chairman of the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia, as President of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians and as a member of the Prime Minister’s Science, Engineering and Innovation Council. Cost: Asia Society Member $82* Non-Member $92* $1,500 Corporate Table (1 table of 10, 1 seat at head table, table signage) *All prices are inclusive of GST ===================================== Other News and Events ===================================== Item 7. Indonesia Food & Trade Festival Date: Sunday 16 July 2006, 11.00am - 4.00pm Venue: Box Hill Town Hall, 1022 Whitehorse Road, Box Hill, (Melway Map 47 E9) PERWIRA is holding its 20th annual Indonesian Food & Trade Festival at the Box Hill Town Hall to celebrate the 61st Indonesian Independence Day. The festival will offer a tantalizing array of Indonesian foods and delicacies, along with Indonesian music and dance performances. Stalls will offer services in art & crafts, florist, groceries, books and magazines on Indonesia. Entry fees: $2 adult, $2 Child/pensioner, $8 family (2 adults & 2 children) ALL WELCOME For more details: http://www.perwira.com.au/events.htm _________ Item 8. 'Gamelan in the gallery' Presented by the Australian Indonesian Association of the Consulate-General of the Republic of Indonesia, Melbourne Date: Sunday 23 July 2006, 12.30 pm - 4pm (Main concert: 2pm - 3.30pm) Venue: National Gallery of Victoria (International), 180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne. 'Gamelan in the gallery' is an artistic collaboration that will feature recitals by three Javanese-style-gamelan orchestras accompanied by a traditional choir and dancers, a Balinese gamelan duo and an informative lecture on wayang kulit (shadow puppetry). More than 40 performers and scholars will participate in this event. Admission is free. Details: http://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/whatson/whatson_eventlist.jsp?locationID=4&eventID=398 _________ Item 9. INDIA: India's Space Program with Dr Kasturirangan Monday 24 July, 6.00 pm to 7.00 pm Carrillo Gantner Theatre, Sidney Myer Asia Centre, the University of Melbourne. Dr Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan, Director, National Institute of Advance Studies in Bangalore will present India's Space Enterprise - A Case Study in Strategic Thinking & Planning at Asialink. Space is no longer solely the playground of the major world powers. Emerging powers China and Brazil have both developed space programs, and India is fast emerging as one of the world's leaders in commercial space technology. India's recent growth in this area is largely due to one man, Dr Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan, Director of the National Institute of Advance Studies, Bangalore; Upper House Member of Parliament and former Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). India's remarkable space story is built on a 45-year history of developing state-of-the-art technology to meet societal needs. Dr Kasturirangan has successfully launched two innovative Indian space launch vehicles and has led the continued development of India's highly regarded satellite program. Dr Kasturirangan is highly decorated with a number of Indian and international awards. He is the first Asian to be awarded the prestigious Brock Medal in 2004 and received France's highest decoration The Legion of Honour in 2002. This lecture is a unique opportunity to hear from one of the major driving forces in space development over the last thirty years and to explore how the Indian project can act as a model for other nations. Asialink would like to thank the supporters of this event: the Australia-India Council and the Australia South Asia Research Centre at the Australian National University. ENTRY: Free of charge RSVP: To reserve a seat, please send an email to: Asialink Events events@asialink.unimelb.edu.au with "Space" in the subject line. _________ Item 10. MALAYSIA: Trade Matters – The Future of the Malaysian Economy Monday 31 July, 5.30pm to 6.30pm Carrillo Gantner Theatre, Sidney Myer Asia Centre, the University of Melbourne. Dato' Seri Rafidah Aziz, Minister of International Trade and Industry, Malaysia will present Trade Matters: The Future of the Malaysian Economy at Asialink. The structural transformation of Malaysia's economy over the last 40 years has been spectacular. Today, Malaysia offers the world the Petronas Twin Towers, the Multimedia Super Corridor and an average annual growth rate topping 5%. Malaysia is Australia’s third largest trading partner in ASEAN and eleventh largest worldwide. The last twelve months have seen continued positive progress in the Australia-Malaysia relationship. Discussions on a free trade agreement are advanced and bilateral trade and investment continues to grow. Dato’ Seri Rafidah Aziz has been Malaysia’s Minister of International Trade and Industry for nineteen years and her leadership has helped make Malaysia one of Asia’s major trading nations. As one of the Executive Members of the Malaysia’s ruling party, Dato’ Seri Rafidah Aziz, has influenced and continues to influence Malaysia’s development and standing in the global arena. Join Asialink for this unique opportunity to hear and discuss Malaysia with Dato’ Seri Rafidah Aziz. ENTRY: Free of charge RSVP: To reserve a seat, please send an email to: events@asialink.unimelb.edu.au with "Malaysia Trade" in the subject line. _________ Item 11. Papua Searching for Justice Date: Tuesday 1 August 2006, 6.30pm - 8pm Venue: The World Bar, 24 Bayswater Rd, Sydney Amnesty International Australia with the support of Indonesian Solidarity will present the premiere screening of 'Papua Mencari Keadilan' or ‘Papua Searching for Justice’. The film documents human rights abuses in Abepura, Papua. This film event will be followed by a discussion with John Barr. RSVPs to nswaia@amnesty.org.au or telephone (02) 9217 7670. _________ Item 12. UCFV Research Review Call for Papers - Due 15 August 2006 UCFV Research Review, Issue 3: South Asian Studies: Transnational Issues Guest editor: Dr. Kuldip Gill The editors of the University College of the Fraser Valley Research Review welcome contributions for the October, 2006 issue. The central theme, South Asian Studies: Transnational issues, provides a critical focus and reflects the journal's interdisciplinary approach. This issue will be published in October, 2006 and connects to current interests at the new Centre for Indo-Canadian Studies and Research (http://www.ucfv.ca/icrc ) at the University College of the Fraser Valley, Abbotsford, BC. Published in Canada, this issue links to India in a variety of realms, including the cultural, political, economic, social, and literary, and through diverse disciplinary and interdisciplinary frameworks. Details: http://journals.ucfv.ca/ojs/rr/RR-info/cfp-3.html Enquiries: Dr Kuldip Gill, kuldip.gill@ucfv.ca or Ms Preena Maan, banpreen.maan@student.ucfv.ca _________ Item 13. Workshop on Understanding the Internet in the Asia-Pacific 25 September – 26 September 2006 University of Wollongong Closing date for applications and referee's reports: 5pm, Friday 30 June 2006 The Centre for Asia Pacific Social Transformation Studies (CAPSTRANS), with the support of the Asia-Pacific Futures Research Network (APFRN), is calling for applications from PhD students and Early Career Researchers at Australian universities to participate in a workshop on the theme of understanding the Internet in the Asia-Pacific region. Through the presentation of short papers on their research, participants will have the opportunity to discuss their research with peers and with a number of senior research mentors. It is hoped that these presentations and discussions will assist participants to publish their research. For details on the workshop and how to apply, http://www.capstrans.edu.au/resources/conferences/2006/conferences-2006-understand-inet.html Enquires: Mark McLelland, markmc@uow.edu.au ________ Item 14. Exhibition: 'Bollywood Dreams' Exhibition Dates Current until 28 January 2007 Immigration Museum, Old Customs House, 400 Flinders Street, Melbourne (Melway reference: 1A F10) Museum Open: Monday - Sunday, 10.00 am - 5.00 pm On show for the first and only time in Australia, this international photographic exhibition turns the camera on Bollywood, the world's largest film industry. The exhibition explores the power of cinema in India as both entertainment and social phenomenon. Enquiries: imenq@museum.vic.gov.au Website: http://immigration.museum.vic.gov.au/ _________ Item 15. Website of the month "Representing Indian women 1875 - 1947 - a visual documentary" captures the different facets of the life of women in India from 1857 to 1947. The documentary is based on an exhibition curated by Dr Malavika Karlekar with Leela Kasturi and Indrani Majumdar. To view the documentary, take your browser to the link below, then click the section "International Conference". http://cwds.org/ Dr Malavika Karlekar is editor of the "Indian Journal of Gender Studies", and a research fellow with the Centre for Women's Development Studies in New Delhi. She recently presented a seminar at the Monash Asia Institute on “The Private Performative Space - Ritual and Performance in the Family” Her talk looked at the role of the photograph in the domestic sphere in India (see: http://www.arts.monash.edu.au/mai/seminars.html#photo). ===================================================================== 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 =====================================================================