ARCHIVED MEDIA RELEASE
PA/14/2004 7 July 2004
Conference on Australasia’s Diaspora
A significant conference on the study of Australasia titled “Diaspora: Displacement, Dispossession and Sea Change” opens in Trivandrum on 8 July at the University of Kerala.
The three-day conference, organised by the Association for the Study of Australasia in Asia (ASAA), will focus on the experiences of diaspora in Australia and of the impact of settlers in fields as varied as literature, politics, diplomacy, economics, religion and education.
“The conference could not have been organised at a better time,” said the Australian High Commissioner to India, Ms Penny Wensley AO. “Australia’s relations with India are growing very strongly. In our vibrant multicultural society, the contribution of Indian Australians and the connections between our two countries and people are becoming more obvious and appreciated. In turn, Indians are becoming increasingly aware of the contributions of their diaspora all around the world.”
“Scholars in both Australia and India increasingly are studying the influence of diaspora communities, and of their role in bringing countries and peoples closer together,” said the High Commissioner.
“Indians are now the second largest source of independent skilled migrants to Australia and this, together with the thousands of Indian students choosing to study in Australia creates an Indian diaspora in Australia of growing importance, with obvious implications for the future of Australia and of Australia-India relations,” Ms Wensley added.
Mr John Fisher, Acting Deputy High Commissioner, along with Dr Sheel Nuna of Australian Education International (AEI) and Ms Asha Das, India Country Manager of the Australia-India Council (AIC), will represent the Australian High Commission at the conference. The AIC has provided some financial support to conference participants.
For additional information, contact: Mr John Fisher, First Secretary, on 9810154256, or Ms Asha Das, India Country Manager, AIC, on 9810860451.