Intl. Seminars at the New Zealand Asia Institute

Media Advisory 8 March 2004

International Seminars at the New Zealand Asia Institute

The New Zealand Asia Institute at The University of Auckland will this month host two international guest speakers, who will present seminars on regional and economic issues.

On March 15, Ambassador Jorgen Orstrom Moller, The Danish Ambassador to Singapore, Brunei, Australia and New Zealand, will deliver a seminar entitled, Expansion of European - Asia Relations.

Ambassador Moller will discuss the current enlargement of the European Union and the extent to which it will both unify and reshape Europe, and change Europe's role in the international arena, with specific reference to Asia. He sees four alternatives to successful multilateralism: the dominance of the US as a mega-power, the regionalisation of the world, the revival of the nation state, or chaos.

On March 18, Ambassador Mario Artaza, the 2004 Executive Director of the APEC Secretariat, will present, APEC: the 2004 Agenda, at a business breakfast.

Ambassador Artaza will discuss the challenges faced by APEC with particular reference to the organisation's vision of transcending national and regional differences. The seminar is supported by the APEC Study Centre of The University of Auckland and the NZ - APEC Business Coalition.

The New Zealand Asia Institute was established in May 1995 as a response to the political, economic and cultural importance of Asia to New Zealand and as part of the strategic plan for the internationalisation of The University of Auckland.

The Institute's mission is to build on Auckland's leading national role in the study of Asia, to develop further academic expertise, to provide the University with policy advice and strategic planning in its international relationships, and to act as a major national forum for analysis, discussion and development of New Zealand - Asia relations.

Details:

Expansion of the European - Asia Relations

Speaker: Ambassador Moller is Professor at the Copenhagen Business School. He has lectured and written widely on globalisation, European Union, and Asian matters.

Date: Monday 15 March 2004
Time: 3.00 - 5.00pm
Venue: New Zealand Asia Institute
Room 707, Level 7
58 Symonds Street
Auckland

APEC: The 2004 Agenda

Speaker: Ambassador Artaza has a distinguished career in the Chilean and international public service and as an academic. He has served the Chilean Government in a number of senior posts including Ambassador to the United Kingdom and the United States. He was the Deputy Executive Director of the APEC Secretariat for the 2003 APEC year and following established protocols, was appointed Executive Director for the 2004 APEC year.

Date: Thursday 18 March 2004
Time: 7.30 to 9.00am
Venue: Northern Club
19 Princes Street
Auckland

Note: There is a $15 charge for this seminar.

For further information about the seminars and registration, please contact:

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