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New Zealand - Canada conference in Wellington
Thursday, 4 February 2010
Organised by Victoria University, the High Commission of Canada in New Zealand, and the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs, the conference will reflect on the strong parallels between the countries, and how they interact on a global stage.
(via Victoria University) "Canada and New Zealand: Connections, Comparisons and Challenges", celebrates 70 years of diplomatic relations between Canada and New Zealand and brings several high profile speakers, including Justice Joseph Williams from the New Zealand High Court, to Victoria University’s Government Buildings on February 9 & 10.
One of the conference organisers, Victoria University’s Dr Fiona Barker, says “We are both moderately small countries that are often in the shadow of bigger neighbours. We share similar settler histories, and similar indigenous issues. The debates about national identity and biculturalism versus multiculturalism are also the same. This is the first conference to really explore that.”
Dr Barker says a highlight of the conference will be a panel led by Raymond Chrétien, former Canadian Ambassador to the United States, and Simon Murdoch, New Zealand’s recently retired Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade, discussing the parallels between the Canada-US and New Zealand-Australia relationship.
Another highlight will be a public speech from the High Court’s Justice Joseph Williams on the search for national identity in Canada and New Zealand in the context of a fading Empire.
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