People paying their respects to those who were killed in Christchurch (Photo James To)
From a personal perspective, I’ve been particularly proud, but not surprised by, the members of our Leadership Network who sprang into action and did what they could to support the Muslim community in Christchurch.
I’d also like to acknowledge the many kind messages of support members of staff at the Foundation have received from friends of the Foundation in Asia. Although sent to staff, these messages were expressions of support to all New Zealanders, especially our Muslim community.
Crescent Moon: The Face of Islam in New Zealand
This year marks ten years since the Foundation commissioned the photographic book and exhibition Crescent Moon: The Face of Islam in New Zealand. The book features photographs of Muslim New Zealanders by renowned photographer Ans Westra and includes personal stories recounting aspects of their lives in this country. The Foundation commissioned the exhibition and book in response to misconceptions and stereotypes about Islam that proliferated following 9/11. I encourage New Zealand-based schools, organisations and community groups to contact the Foundation if you would like a copy.
To get a copy of Crescent Moon, please email your request to asianz@asianz.org.nz
The Dreamer – a remarkable, dynamic production
"...it was remarkable how the production conveyed the story through movement, sound, music and at points just shadows. "
Still with the arts, last month we held a Foundation 25th anniversary event at the Civic Theatre in Auckland prior to the opening night of The Dreamer, a play the Foundation supported through our Arts Project Fund. As I said on the night, through the arts we build relationships, and exchange knowledge and ideas. It’s a way for us to deepen our understanding of other cultures and hopefully feel closer and more confident to engage with them as a result.
I was greatly impressed by this extraordinary work, which brought together elements of A Midsummer Night’s Dream with another 16th century work, but one from the other side of the world, The Peony Pavilion, by Chinese dramatist Tang Xianzu. Despite the play being almost entirely in Mandarin, a language I know no more than a few words of, it was remarkable how the production conveyed the story through movement, sound, music and at points just shadows. It goes to show the ability of the arts to touch upon universal themes that cross cultures.
Q&A interview
Speaking of China, you may have seen my interview on Q&A on Monday where I was quizzed on Jacinda Ardern’s visit to China and issues about the FTA upgrade and the ever present, yet difficult to articulate, Belt and Road initiative. As I said on Q&A, I feel Ardern’s visit to China is possibly more important as a symbolic event than a trip that will see concrete outcomes on the aforementioned issues. However, this does not detract from the importance of such visits; after all, personal relationship building is clearly a very important part of diplomacy and our relationship with China is very important to New Zealand.
I won’t go into it in any more detail than that, but if you want to watch the interview, there’s a link to it below.
Busy times in the Track II space
A delegation from the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam met with the Foundation in March
On the theme of building international relationships, it was a pleasure to host the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam (DAV) for a Track II dialogue at the Foundation’s Wellington office recently. DAV is one of our longest standing Track II partners and we greatly value the free and frank conversations we have when we meet. As always, the topics, which included power shifts in the Asia-Pacific region, US-Sino relations and regional economic outlook, brought up some interesting talking points and both sides, I’m sure, learnt a lot from the discussions. Next week we will be hosting another Track II dialogue, this time with the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA).
Later this month I’ll be heading away to China’s second Belt and Road Forum in Beijing. I look forward to talking about this more in the next ED Update.
Until then, Noho ora mai
Simon Draper