EPAP – Sub-committee member monthly report

Subcommittee: Youth and Community & EngagementName (member): Bevan ChuangPeriod: March – April 2012EPAP agenda date: 19 April 2012

Topic/ Event/ Activity: Meeting with Accelerating AotearoaDate: 16 March 2012Location: Accelerating AotearoaNarrative: Follow up meeting with Judith of Accelerating Aotearoa on their presentation to the Draft Economic Development Strategy committee. Accelerating Aotearoa to look at how they can assist Maori, Pacific and Ethnic children to gain employment.

Topic/ Event/ Activity: Taiwanese Hwa Hsia Society of New Zealand 22nd AGM and AnniversaryDate: 17 March 2012Location: Greenlane Christian CentreNarrative: The Taiwanese Hwa Hsia Society of New Zealand organised their 22nd AGM and Anniversary event at the Greenlane Christian Centre. A variety of multicultural performances that celebrates the Taiwanese community living here in Auckland.VIPs attended: Director General of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office Mr Lincoln Ting, Labour MP Hon Phil Goff, Raymond Huo and Rajendra Prasad, National MP Jiang Yang, Mayor Len Brown, Cr George Wood.EPAP present: John Hong

Topic/ Event/ Activity: African Youth FestivalDate: 17 March 2012Location: Mt Albert War Memorial HallNarrative: Ghanaian Association of NZ presents AFRYFEST 2012 at the Mt Albert War Memorial Hall. A variety of performances and wonderful day out for young and old.VIPs attended: Mayor Len Brown, Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse, National MP Melissa Lee, Leader of the Opposition Mr David ShearerEPAP present: Tuwe Kudawkashe, Kafeba Mundele and Amail Habib.

Topic/ Event/ Activity: EPAP presentation on the Draft Economic Development StrategyDate: 19 March 2012Location: Auckland Town HallNarrative: EPAP presented our oral submissions to the Draft Economic Development Strategy committee and was very well received. Committee is very keen to work closely with the EPAP members on engaging with ethnic businesses.EPAP present: John Hong

Topic/ Event/ Activity: Japanese Art FestivalDate: 30 March – 2 April 2012Location: Aotea CentreNarrative: The Japanese community presented the Japanese Art Festival at the Aotea Centre, presented works from Japanese and New Zealand artists. The presentation of Japanese Tohu earthquake and tsunami was mind blowing. You can find out more on http://japan-artest.com/index.html

Topic/ Event/ Activity: EthnicADate: 31 March 2012Location: Alexander Park RacecourseNarrative: This is the second year EthnicA conference was organised by the Office of Ethnic Affairs. The aim of the conference is to discuss matters related to the ethnic communities in Auckland, which included identity, arts, international students, women, social entrepreneur and more. EPAP shared table with Auckland Council and distributed April newsletters to attendees. Mayor Len Brown had invited EPAP members to the front and presented us to the attendees.EPAP present: Amail Habib, Tuwe Kudakwashe, Grace Ryu, Ann Pala, Asoka Basnayake, Jeet Suchev, Susan Zhu

Topic/ Event/ Activity: Race Unity Speech AwardsDate: 31 March 2012Location: Manukau Baha’i CentreNarrative: This annual event was organised by NZ Police, Human Rights Commission and the Baha’I Centre. Six students presented at the final Race Unity Speech Awards and last year’s winner spoke about change. The students presented that racism is an issue not only for the ethnic community, but also for Caucasian New Zealanders. VIPs included National Manager Māori Pacific Ethnic Services Superintendent Wally Haumaha, Race Relations Commissioner Joris de Bres and Cr Alf Filipaina. Alf acknowledged the work by PPAP and EPAP and have called

the audience to support the existence of the Panels.

Topic/ Event/ Activity: Auckland International Cultural FestivalDate: 1 April 2012Location: Mt Roskill War Memorial ParkNarrative: The Auckland International Cultural Festival has been running for more than 22 years, since it first started in Potters Park. The Festival is the only truly multicultural festival for Auckland and has attracted tens of thousands of people. Auckland must see this as a key event that is not any less important than the Lantern Festival, Diwali Festival or Pacifika. This is the only festival that celebrates the multicultural mix of Auckland instead of celebrating and highlighting only one culture. The Event Organiser Helen Cheng did a brilliant job as this festival was

severely underfunded and under-resourced.We also celebrated the 40th Anniversary of the Human Rights Act in New Zealand with the Human Rights Commission.

VIPs included: Mayor Len Brown, Minister Judith Collins, Race Relations Commissioner Joris de Bres, Hon Phil Goff, Hon David Shearer, Rajendra Prasad, Local Board membersEPAP present: Amail Habib, Ann Pala, John Hong, Jeet Suchev, Asoka Basnayake, Susan Zhu

Topic/ Event/ Activity: GEILI visit to AucklandDate: 2 – 9 April 2012Location: VariousNarrative: Global Exchange In Leadership Initiative (GEILI) (http://www.geilitoday.org) is a global platform to empower aspiring global leaders and foster global exchange in culture and volunteerism through an alliance of youth organizations around the world.

GEILI works closely with a large number of international partners to develop a variety of projects, and provide opportunities for our members to gain international exposures in cultural, educational, and professional advancement. They provide exchange,

internship and service opportunities for youth across the globe with a rich content of local cultures. To support the development of our member organization, we provide training programs, financial supports and global networks for youth leaders who would like to establish NGOs or Social Enterprises. GEILI is a global platform to support social changers.

GEILI visited Auckland with four members of different background to learn about global citizenships and global social entrepreneur. With the help of local Chinese youth organisation Future Dragonz (http://futuredragonz.org.nz/) and myself, the group visited Orakei Marae, met with Pacific scholars, Hong Kong New Zealand Business Association, innovative social entrepreneurs, Mayor Len Brown, Waterfront Auckland, Hon Judith Collins and various members from the local Chinese community.

Their stories were very inspirational and particularly with Ms Ho Ka-wai, a visually and physically impaired candidate who never gave up and is very optimistic with her life. She takes beautiful photos with her camera and shares her views to the world through her writing.

I want to thank Amail Habib for meeting the group and John Hong for organising the meeting with Waterfront Auckland.

Topic/ Event/ Activity: New Zealand Chinese Association Annual Sports TournamentDate: 6 April 2012Location: The Trusts StadiumNarrative: The New Zealand Chinese Association organised the 64th Annual Sports Tournament, popularly known as “the Easter Tournament”, with over 2,000 athletes, families and friends gathered in Auckland from all around the country.

This annual event is a flagship event of NZCA. The Easter Tournament rotates between New Zealand’s four main centres, with Auckland traditionally playing host to the largest contingent every four years.

The tournament features sports including basketball, athletics, badminton, indoor soccer, netball, touch rugby, volleyball, indoor netball, golf, tennis and lawn bowls. Basketball in particular attracts a wide age range – from mini-ballers (starting at 5 years) through to veterans.

You can find out more on http://easter.nzchinese.org/.

VIPs at Opening included Minister Judith Collins, MP Melissa Lee, Consul-General of Peoples’ Republic of China Madam Liao Juhua.