Acting Vice-Chancellor Jennifer Windsor opened the event, which included four panel discussions showcasing government, research, educational, and community connections between Chile and Aotearoa.
“We wanted to celebrate this milestone by getting a variety of academic, agency, and community connections together in one room. This important event helps us towards our goal of developing a critical mass of educational relations,” says Latin America CAPE director, Dr Matthew O’Meagher.
The event was hosted by the Honorable Chris Hipkins, Minister of Education. Speakers included former Prime Minister Helen Clark, MFAT Deputy Secretary Vangelis Vitalis, Chair of the CAPE’s advisory board Dr Alan Bollard, Chief Executive of Education New Zealand Grant McPherson, and Chair of the Latin America New Zealand Business Council James Dixon.
The CAPEs are funded by the Tertiary Education Commission, and their purpose is to transfer academic knowledge to audiences that will benefit from it.
“Government and research connections between New Zealand and Chile are broader and deeper than is widely understood. The Latin America CAPE works in several ways to broaden New Zealanders’ perceptions of Latin America, and to foster new relationships. This type of event helps to bring us closer together,” says Dr O’Meagher.
The final panel in the event showcased a number of Chilean experiences in Aotearoa—featuring actor Cori Gonzalez-Macuer along with others involved in trade and sharing Latin American culture.
Dr O’Meagher explained how valuable it was to have the opportunity to reflect on the impact that Chileans have had here in Aotearoa. “And it was amazing to have Amila, the daughter of Chilean migrants, sing as the event wrapped up.”
The summit was organised with support from Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao and the Latin America New Zealand Business Council. It built on the impact of the Minister of Education’s visit to Brazil and Chile in June, and on Dr O’Meagher’s membership of his delegation.