Human Rights Commission

27 June 2006

New journal creates space for critical discussion on ethnic communities

A new journal is providing a space for intelligent and critical discussion of the issues facing ethnic communities. With articles written by key thinkers in the ethnic sector in New Zealand and overseas, the journal offers a refreshing and challenging new perspective.

The AEN Journal is an online publication that fosters critical debate around the issues facing New Zealand's ethnic communities. It builds on the success of the Aotearoa Ethnic Network (www.aen.org.nz), set up last year by Ruth DeSouza and Andy Williamson so that people from or working with ethnic communities can connect and share information.

The journal will be launched by the Race Relations Commissioner, Joris de Bres, on behalf of the Diversity Action Programme at the Auckland office of the Human Rights Commission on Monday July 3.

Writing in the first edition, Mr de Bres says that "the Aotearoa Ethnic Network has already made an important contribution to on-line debate and dialogue, as well as being a lively market for information exchange."

He believes that the AEN Journal "adds to that contribution significantly by providing a forum for more substantial and considered discussion of the issues."

Issue 1 of the journal includes a viewpoint on the Palestine-Israel problem from a New Zealand Jew and a New Zealand Muslim.

The AEN Journal is available online and for free at journal.aen.org.nz. The journal can be viewed as a website and visitors can download a single article or the complete journal in ready-to print format.

Contributors to Issue 1 include:

* Joris de Bres, Race Relations Commissioner

* Tariana Turia MP, Co-leader of the Maori Party

* Mervin Singham, Director of the Office of Ethnic Affairs

* Dave Moskovitz: The Israel - Palestine Problem: The perspective of a New Zealand Progressive Jew

* Anjum Rahman: The Israel - Palestine Problem: The perspective of a New Zealand Muslim

* Andy Williamson and Ruth DeSouza: Representing Ethnic Communities in the Media

* Suman Fernando (UK): Stigma, racism and power

* Amy West (US): Seeking Asylum * Kate Wood: Cultural diversity and context

* Tze Ming Mok and Kumanan Rasanathan: Should we be pushing for a Ministry of Asian Affairs, a Ministry of Ethnic Affairs, or neither?

A 'Socratic' 'dialogue' between two 'Asians'

* Rev. Mua Strickson-Pua aka REV MC: Pasifika Hip Hop Poetry Doing the Healing

ENDS

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