CPCM events
Recent events
Human rights and justice in Malaysia
Professor Aruna Gopinath, Dept of Politics and International Relations, HELP University College, Kuala Lumpur, 26 June 2008, Magill Campus.
Malaysia, unlike many authoritarian regimes, provides for fundamental rights in its constitution. Yet there are also constitutional limitations on these rights, based on religion or national security. The executive has imposed restrictions on fundamental liberties. Recent events have changed the relationship between the state and civil society in Malaysia. First, a section of the new middle class is demanding devolution of control and increased democracy. Second, the average Malaysian, now exposed to ideas from around the world via the Internet and blogs, reads alternative views and does not blindly accept what the government or mainstream newspapers write. Malaysian NGOs are also actively promoting human rights. The recent peaceful demonstrations in Malaysia in the lead-up to the general elections were expressions of civil society's opposition to the government's oppressive and draconian laws.
Professor Aruna Gopinath graduated from the University of Malaya with a BA degree in 1974, was awarded a MA degree in 1978, and completed her doctorate in Philippine Studies at the University of the Philippines as an ASEAN scholar. Until 2007, Professor Gopinath taught in the Department of History at the University of Malaya; she is currently the Head of the Department of Politics and International Relations, HELP University College in Kuala Lumpur. Her areas of expertise include Philippine politics, Southeast Asian politics, gender studies, minority problems, ASEAN studies, peace processes and conflict resolution. Professor Gopinath has travelled extensively and taught at several universities as a visiting Professor in Southeast Asian Politics and Conflict Studies. She conducted fieldwork in the dangerous rebel areas of South Philippines, for which she was honoured by the International American Educational Biographical Board as one of the Great Women Leaders of the 21st Century in 2005. Other awards received include the prestigious British Chevenning Award in 1997, the Southeast Asian Visiting Professor's grant to teach at the University of Hanoi, Vietnam in 2002, as well as several other awards for her contribution to the fields of history, political science and international relations. Her extensive publication record includes 6 books, 80 articles and 90 international conference presentations.
Shared parental responsibility in Australian family law and the impact on children
Seminar 13–15 April 2008
Flyer
The seminar examined in depth the consequences for children of some of the recent changes to the Australian Family Law Act.
Related conferences
World Mediation Forum
The 6th International Conference of the World Mediation Forum was held in Jerusalem, Israel, 8–11 October 2007.
Asia-Pacific Mediation Forum conferences
The 4th Asia-Pacific Mediation Forum conference 'Mediation in the Asia-Pacific: Constraints and Challenges' was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 16–18 June 2008.
India been selected by the Asia-Pacific Mediation Forum (APMF) Executive Committee as the location for the Fifth Asia-Pacific Mediation Forum Conference in 2010 and the Conference Convenor, Firdosh Kassam, is now forming a Conference Committee in India. Please note that the dates are 20–27 November 2010 and the venue for the conference will be New Delhi, the capital of India, or Goa. We hope to see you there!
The call for papers will be on the APMF website before the end of this year.
Activating Human Rights and Peace Conference
Byron Bay, 1–4 July 2008. Prof Elisabeth Porter and CPCM are organising a plenary session titled 'Peace, Conflict and Mediation'.
Mediation:
Transforming the Landscape
9th National Mediation
Conference
10–12 September 2008, Hyatt Regency Perth Hotel, Perth, WA
This conference is widely acknowledged as the leading Australian
gathering of mediation practitioners, researchers and trainers. Delegates
from industry, the community sector and government will join eminent
Australian and international mediation professionals to continue the
development of mediation and related processes in Australia and beyond. The
conference theme 'transforming the landscape' will include transformation of mediation
practice, with diversity, of related professional practices, to promote
peaceful resolution of conflict, and of the justice system. Submit abstracts
by 29 February 2008.