Diplostack #2: Founder intro, Māori views on FP

Hello from our Founder, What's up next, What are our values, anyway? Māori perspectives.

Dan@Diplosphere

and

Maty Nikkhou-O'Brien

Sep 16, 2022

Kia ora,

Kia kaha te reo Māori! A first post from me, Maty Nikkhou-O’Brien on the occasion of Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori. This week - Māori Language Week - is an opportune moment to reflect on values in foreign policy, and our conference Navigating a Stormy World: Te Ao Māori Perspectives held on July 4. Foreign Minister Hon Nanaia Mahuta and Animation Research Founder & CEO Sir Ian Taylor were the keynote speakers. Some take aways, and quotes from that conference below.

But first, with recent Ukraine developments in the Karkhov region where Russian forces have retreated in the face of a Ukraine Armed Forces advances, our talk on Mon 19 Sep will be most timely, you can sign up here:

Ukraine, Six Months On, Prospects

What is the chance of escalation? Are there any hopes for de-escalation? Of course, no one can predict what will happen next with any modicum of certainty. The fog of war makes it hard to assess with much certainty, from this distance. But, we hope this talk will bring a perspective from other quarters, and other parts of the world [1] that are sometimes missing in New Zealand’s mainstream media - which has channelled a mainstream Western perspective. We will hear from:

George Beebe, Director of Grand Strategy, Quincy Institute.
Her Excellency Ömür Ünsay, Turkish Ambassador to NZ
Richard Jackson, Professor of Peace Studies at the National Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, Otago University

[1] Countries in Asia, Africa and the Middle East have refused to isolate Moscow, despite the EU’s lobbying efforts

Navigating a Stormy World: Te Ao Māori Perspectives

We are still feeling the buzz, and if you had attended the conference you may be too…

What a thrill for us at Diplosphere to be able to convene with the support of the New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO the first national conference on international relations featuring voices often missing in the public debate: Māori and youth. Gathering 28 high-profile speakers and over 320 participants, the conference raised the question: What does “western values" mean in Aotearoa New Zealand of 2022?

We traveled and explored a variety of destinations from our place in the world and our role as stewards of the planet to the stars and into the future, with our values as our compass. This was a day to be inspired, look forward, exchange ideas, and connect with leading experts and new voices.

Martin Wikaira (MFAT), Ethan Jerome-Leota (UNESCO NZ), Liz Mellish (Te Wharewaka), Matthew Gifford (DPMC), Warkina Tujuba (African Community Council) on *Destination our place in the word: What are our values, anyway?*

A few take aways:

✨ ‘A values-based approach with an indigenous lens is the future of our foreign policy in Aotearoa.’ Hon Nanaia Mahuta, Foreign Minister

✨ ‘Be a good ancestor.’ Dr Dan Hikuroa, Culture Commissioner, UNESCO NZ

✨ ‘Climate change is going to get harder but having Tirohanga Māori in our tool kit is our unique super power.’ Nathalie Whitaker, Toha

✨ ‘Don’t just talk about the “tangas”. Apply the tangas and then take the tangata with you.’ Ethan Jerome-Leota, UNESCO NZ Youth Chair

✨ ‘If you can see it, you can be it.’ Amber Marie Naveira, The Granary

✨ ‘Trust in our Rangatahi. By creating the climate for them to succeed, we are enabling opportunity far beyond our comprehension.’ Rob Fisher, Pwc

✨ ‘Before you change the world - which you will - please clean your room.’ Warkina Tujuba, Head of Youth and Engagement, African Community Council

What people said about the conference:

‘Thought-provoking and deeply engaging. The Diplosphere conference on Māori perspectives moved from problem-recognition to solution- finding. An analysis of the uncertainties that accompany changing global leadership.’ Joy Dunsheath JP, Executive Committee WFUNA, New York

‘It was a very successful event and I was proud to be part of it. I concur with you about how engaged the participants were, to a level I have rarely seen.’ H.E. Joanne Le May, Canadian High Commissioner

‘The conference was awesome! Thank you so much for organising it, it was a real gift to us.’ Julian Hickey, Director, Pwc

‘A truly inspirational conference.’ Tim Naish, Professor in Earth Sciences at the Antarctic Research Centre, Victoria University of Wellington

‘The best day conference I’ve ever been to... honestly fantastic !!’ Kate Peters, Fernhill Solutions

‘Thoroughly enjoying the kōrero being shared at the Diplosphere: Navigating a stormy world: Te Ao Maori perspectives conference. I feel enlightened and inspired.’ Tania Milne, Helping bridge the digital skills gap, AWS

’Leaving feeling inspired and ready to take on the world, one global issue at a time. 🌎’ Kayla Martin, Whenua Māori Regional Advisor, Mōkai Pātea Nui Tonu, Ngāti Maniapoto