ASEAN-Australia connections have been high on the political agenda in the recent years. Political, security, trade, education and development links have been formalised and growing. But where do cultural relations and co-operation between Asia and Australia stand? What are some past and present modes and forms of cultural exchanges and collaborations, particularly from the context of Singapore? What roles do the arts and culture play in enabling meaningful dialogue and fostering mutual understanding? What sectors are better connected and where are the weak links? What role do public agencies play in promoting closer cultural ties? What are some best practices and pitfalls that arts and cultural practitioners should be aware of?

Join us for a stimulating conversation with professional and academic experts from the field, about the possibilities of cultural exchange between Asia and Australia, particularly in a globalised world where borders are increasingly fluid, but yet also progressively polarised.

This ASEF Unplugged session is co-produced by the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) with the Cultural Research Centre, a newly-launched cultural research incubator based in the Department of Communications and New Media at the National University of Singapore, and features Asialink, Australia’s leading centre for the promotion of public understanding of the countries in Asia and Australia’s role in the region.

Speakers:

Penny BURTT

Group CEO

Asialink

Pippa DICKSON

Director

Asialink Arts

Respondent:

Audrey YUE

Professor in Media, Culture and Critical Theory

National University of Singapore

Moderator:

Anupama SEKHAR

Director, Culture

Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF)

About ASEF Unplugged:

Since it was first established in 1997, the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) has been facilitating conversations on arts, culture and heritage. Its longstanding dialogue platforms have included large-scale formats (such as Experts’ Meetings, Public Forums and, more recently, ASEF Policy Panels), which have been organised in various cities across the two continents in partnership with arts organisations and ASEM Ministries of Culture. In May 2018, ASEF Unplugged, a new small-format event-series was launched to promote more open peer-to-peer conversations in tune with the rapidly changing needs of an increasingly interactive and engaged audience.

Co-organising partners:

The Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) promotes understanding, strengthens relationships and facilitates cooperation among the people, institutions and organisations of Asia and Europe. ASEF enhances dialogue, enables exchanges and encourages collaboration across the thematic areas of culture, education, governance, sustainable development, economy and public health.

ASEF is an intergovernmental not-for-profit organisation located in Singapore. Founded in 1997, it is the only institution of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM).

ASEF runs more than 25 projects a year, consisting of around 100 activities, mainly conferences, seminars, workshops, lectures, publications, and online platforms, together with about 125 partner organisations. Each year over 3,000 Asians and Europeans participate in ASEF’s activities, and much wider audiences are reached through its various events, networks, and web-portals.

For more information, please visit www.ASEF.org

The Cultural Research Centre (CRC) is a newly-launched interdisciplinary cultural research incubator based in the Department of Communications and New Media at the National University of Singapore. The Centre and its team of world-class researchers conduct scholarly and practice-led cultural research across a wide cross-section of areas, including urbanism and cultural planning, arts and cultural policy, new media and social connection, contemporary art and the cultural public sphere, migration and mobility and transnational citizenship. The Centre is dedicated to forging cross-sectoral and inter-disciplinary partnerships, developing the capabilities of staff, students and stakeholders, and engaging diverse publics.

For more information, please visit www.blog.nus.edu.sg/cnmcrc/

Asialink is Australia's leading centre for the promotion of public understanding of the countries of Asia and of Australia's role in the region. Asialink excels in "soft diplomacy" - delivering high-level forums, international collaborations, leadership training, education, community health and cultural programs in Australia and Asia.

Asialink is an affiliate of The University of Melbourne and an initiative of the Myer Foundation, established in 1990 as a joint initiative of the Australian Government's Commission for the Future and the Myer Foundation, one of Australia's oldest and largest philanthropic organisations.

For more information, please visit www.asialink.unimelb.edu.au