Suzannah Jessep's July 2025 CE Update
In this month’s CE Update, Suzannah Jessep reflects on a busy period for the Foundation, with key engagements both in New Zealand and across Asia. Highlights include a Foundation delegation at the Asia Pacific Roundtable, a curators’ tour to Indonesia fostering artistic exchange, and a major gathering in Vietnam that brought together more than 120 entrepreneurs from New Zealand and Southeast Asia.
Suzannah moderating the opening panel at the Language Learning for New Zealand’s Future forum in Auckland last week
Last Thursday, I had the privilege of moderating the opening panel at the Language Learning for New Zealand’s Future forum in Auckland—an event that explored the wide-ranging benefits of second-language learning not only for our ability to converse across cultures but also for our cognitive development, trade and foreign relations, and sense of identity and place in the world.
In New Zealand, however, the number of students enrolling in a second language has been in steady decline.
With the rise of AI-powered translation tools, many may question whether the effort is still worth it. Here, I was fascinated to learn about the research of Barbara Oakley, who draws from her own experience learning Russian in the military and how immersive and intensive language study helped her to develop broader learning strategies.
Oakley believes that mastering a new language can transform how we think, learn, and engage with the world, and that this cognitive ability is needed to drive AI – rather than AI replacing the need for the cognitive ability. All fascinating stuff!
I wrote an article on the importance of communication in my last Newsroom piece. Here’s the link, for anyone interested:
China Business Summit looks at the impact of AI
Dr Liang Zheng, from Tsinghua University, China, giving the keynote address at the China Business Summit in Auckland
Continuing the theme of AI and its growing impact on society, on Friday I had the pleasure of moderating a keynote address at the China Business Summit given by Dr Liang Zheng, deputy director of the China Institute for Science and Technology Policy at Tsinghua University. His talk focused on China’s rapid AI advancement and how Chinese companies are embracing AI technology to transform the way (and the speed!) they do business.
We also talked about the ethics and regulation of AI, and the future of work – particularly the ‘knowledge economy’ which is more likely to be impacted compared to the trades – such as plumbers or electricians.
It was reassuring to hear from Professor Jiang how much work is going on behind the scenes, between countries and experts, to look at smoothing our transition to a fully AI-powered future.
Malaysia Track II looks at big issues facing the Asia-Pacific
Suzannah speaking at a plenary session titled War, Peace and the Asia Pacific
Last month I led a delegation to Malaysia to take part in the Asia Pacific Roundtable (APR) in Kuala Lumpur – an annual event hosted by the Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS). APR is one of Southeast Asia’s leading conference on international relations, trade, defence and technology. With hundreds of delegates engaging over three days, it offers a firsthand “pulse of Southeast Asia.”
I spoke at the plenary session titled War, Peace and the Asia Pacific, alongside leading experts from Japan, Singapore, India and Europe, and another member of our delegation, Fine Lavoni Koloamatangi, spoke at a panel on minilateralism from a NZ/Pacific perspective.
Dr James To, manager of our Track II programme, led a young scholars’ masterclass the day prior to APR kicking off. The class was attended by 20 up-and-coming delegates from across the Asia-Pacific, offering a valuable space for fresh voices and new thinking in international engagement. Having gone from strength to strength, it is now a real anchor point for APR – well done James!
Curators gain insights into Indonesia's art scene
Images from the Indonesia curators tour
In June, the Foundation led a delegation of mid-career and senior New Zealand curators to Indonesia to engage directly with one of Southeast Asia’s most vibrant contemporary art scenes.
Timed to coincide with the opening of ARTJOG 2025 in Yogyakarta—Indonesia’s flagship contemporary art festival—the tour offered an opportunity for New Zealand’s curators to build meaningful connections with artists, institutions, and cultural leaders across Jakarta, Yogyakarta, and Ubud.
Over eight days, participants explored Indonesia’s dynamic arts ecosystems, attended key events at ARTJOG, and laid the groundwork for future collaborations aimed at bringing Indonesian art to New Zealand audiences. The tour supported the Asia New Zealand Foundation’s commitment to strengthening arts ties with Asia and developing curatorial practice with an Asia focus.
Australian Leadership Network members come together in Melbourne to reconnect
The Leadership Network's growing Australian cohort
The latest application round for this year’s Leadership Network intake closed this month. We received hundreds of applications from incredible young people and I really look forward to welcoming the successful cohort to the Network at their first induction later in the year.
It was also great to bring together our Australia-based Leadership Network members for a meeting in Melbourne last month. With Australia home to the largest number of Network members outside New Zealand, it is an important hub for us. Our young leaders never lose their Kiwi connections and continue to support and grow New Zealand – Asia relations no matter where they are. Led by the Foundation's deputy CE, Adele Mason, the group had a phenomenal mix of skills and talents.
A couple of current and upcoming events to bring your attention to:
Entrepreneurs connect at Viet Nam summit
The opening of the Young Business Leaders Initiative summit in Viet Nam on Wednesday
This week some 120 entrepreneurs and business leaders from New Zealand and Southeast Asia are gathering in Viet Nam as part of the Foundation’s ASEAN Young Business Leaders Initiative (YBLI), a programme the Foundation is commissioned to run on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
2025 marks 50 years of diplomatic relations between New Zealand and Viet Nam, adding special significance to the summit’s location. The event brings together programme alumni and influential business leaders to connect, collaborate, and explore topics such as entrepreneurship and New Zealand–ASEAN relations. Keep an eye on our social media channels for updates, and look out for more in-depth content on our website later this month.
Applications open for Asia internships
We’re currently promoting the latest round of our Asia-based internships—an exciting opportunity for young New Zealanders to gain valuable industry experience in their field of study, while also deepening their understanding of the host country’s culture and society.
The young people we support through these internships almost always return more confident, worldly, and informed about Asia—many describe the experience as life-changing. So, if you, or someone you know, is a recent graduate or currently studying towards a tertiary qualification, we encourage you to explore the opportunities available.
Join us in Auckland to hear about the latest Perceptions of Asia findings
On 7 August in Auckland, we’re holding our final discussion and presentation on this year’s Perceptions of Asia research report. It’s your opportunity to hear about some of the key findings, ask some questions of your own, and reconnect with the Foundation over drinks and nibbles.
I hope this message finds you well. While it may be a little early to start thinking about spring, with the shortest day of the year now behind us, we can at least look forward to the days gradually getting longer.
All the best for the month ahead.
Nga mihi,
Suzannah Jessep
