Mongolian Studies Newsletter

I s s u e 5 February 2016

Inside this issue: Institute Greetings 1 Wishes You All and Congratulations The Third Mongolian 2 a Happy New Year Studies Open Confer- ence 3 of the Course

Some members’ activi- 4 ties Greetings from H.E. Mr Batlai Whilst the Government of Mongolia is keen to support, and has been sup- Members activity and 5 Chuluunhuu, Ambassador Ex- workshop porting the Mongolian studies in Aus- traordinary and Plenipoten- tralia, I would like to invite and encour- tiary of Mongolia to Australia News Update and 6 age Australian scholars and entities to Welcome First of all, I would like to send greet- support this promising field, which is ings to all friends of Mongolia, includ- expanding. Upcoming events 7 ing scholars and researchers involved While expressing my assurances that in Mongolian studies, in relation to the the Embassy of Mongolia will continue recent Tsagaan Sar, the Mongolian its support towards the ANU’s Mongo- Our community 8 New Year. lia Institute and Mongolian studies, I The State of Mongolia gives great im- wish every success to all the Mongoli- portance to Mongolian studies abroad. an studies scholars in this year of the In 2012, the “National program to sup- Monkey. port Mongolian studies” was approved, Batlai Chuluunhuu Welcome to the fifth followed by a Presidential Decree to issue of the Mongolian establish The Foundation to support Studies newsletter at the the Mongolian studies. Consequently, Australian National Univer- the Parliament of Mongolia established Congratulations sity. This newsletter also the National Council on Mongolian In Dec. 2015, two new graduates from hopes to serve the broader Studies, which oversees the policy Mongolian Studies commu- Mongolia and one honours student nity in Australia. If you development, coordination, implemen- working on Mongolia at the Australian have any information that tation and networking of Mongolian National University (ANU) graduated: you would like to share studies abroad. with us, please feel free to Ganchimeg Batchuluun, Master of send any news or an- I say with confidence that scholars and Environment and Resource Econom- nouncements to Mongo- researchers around Australia are al- ics, [email protected] ready an integral part of the global Tsendsuren Batsuuri - Master of En- Mongolian studies network that reach- Yours sincerely, vironmental and Resource Economics/ es all continents. Without any doubt, Graduate Diploma of International and The Editors ANU’s Mongolia Institute, with its well- Development Economics, established and popular activities and events such as the Mongolian Studies Mark Pennini - Honours Thesis in Law, on ‘Female Judges in Mongolia’. Open Conference , Mongolia Update conference, and Mongolian language intensive courses, has been genuinely contributing to this network, as well as strengthening links between Mongolia ANU College of and Australia. Asia and the Pacific http://chl.anu.edu.au/sites/mongolianstudies/ P a g e 2 The Third Mongolian Studies Open Conference

The Third Mongolian Studies Open Conference in countries. The biannual conference aims to cultivate Australia was successfully held at the ANU on 3 No- the interaction between younger and established vember 2015. scholars, and between Mongolists and those with a comparative interest in Mongolian Studies. In addition to scholars based in Australia, the confer- ence was attended by a number of researchers from Expanding outreach outside academics and re- overseas, including China, Japan, Mongolia and searchers interested in Mongolian history, politics South Korea. The conference was opened by Prof. and economy, a keynote public lecture was delivered Li Narangoa, Director of the ANU Mongolia Institute. by Mr. John Man at the end of the conference. The A keynote address was delivered by Prof. Zayabaa- lecture “World Conqueror Genghis’s Ideology of tar Dalai, National University of Mongolia and Na- World Rule And Why It Matters Today” attracted tional Council for Mongolian Studies, followed by the nearly one hundred attendees. closing remarks from Igor De Rachewilz, ANU. Top- The conference was presented by the Mongolia In- ics covered at the Conference were as diverse as stitute and generously supported by the Research mining, religion, history, human rights, economic and School of Asia and the Pacific at the ANU. financial relations between Mongolia and various

The first New Colombo Fellow to Mongolia an and Australian academic, legal, business and govern- has returned home ment networks. Mark notes that “ultimately, while per- haps being an unconventional destination, Mongolia is an Mark Pennini was awarded the Mongolia Fellowship of exciting, rapidly developing country that offers so much for academics, businesspeople and travellers. The New the New Colombo Plan funded by the Australian Gov- Colombo Plan Fellowship was a wonderful experience. I ernment and resided in from July to Decem- wrote my Honours thesis on Mongolian women judges, ber 2015 completing this Honours Thesis via the National as well as interned at a company University of Mongolia. During the fellow- and did some Mongolian language ship he undertook intermediate language lessons.” training and completed two internships at the Judicial General Council of Mongolia Mark Pennini’s Honours Thesis in and in the Legal Department of Max law was supervised by Professor Group, one of Mongolia’s largest and fast- Kim Rubenstein and sought to an- est-growing corporate groups. swer why so many women (67%) serve in the Mongolian judiciary According to Mark Pennini, the Mongolia and what their experiences of gen- Fellowship allowed him to gather evi- der were in their role as judges. dence for his Honours Thesis in the field, Because of this ‘feminised’ setting, greatly improving the quality of his re- and because of the unique circum- search. It allowed him to enhance his stances of women in Mongolian Mongolian language skills, making him history and culture, Mongolia offers feel more adapted to living in the country. a rich site for the exploration of The fieldwork opened up various Mongoli- gender and judging.

I s s u e 5 P a g e 3 Intensive Mongolian Language Course

A Mongolian intensive course was successfully held for the fourth time since 2013 attract- ing the highest number of stu- dents. The course was organ- ised during the 2016 summer session between 27 January to 13 February 2016 for two weeks. The course introduced students to Modern Mongolian in the Cyrillic alphabet, basic Mongolian pronunciation and grammar, and to everyday conversations along with knowledge of Mongolian cul- ture and traditions. Ms. Bayartuul from the Nation- al University of Mongolia re- Photo: the classroom turned to the ANU once more to conduct the course as an The twenty three students who enrolled in the course included ANU post- experienced linguist with ex- graduate and undergraduate students, and interested members of the pertise on teaching Mongolian public. Some students who shared their experience found the course en- as a second language. This gaging and fun despite its intensity. The majority of the students were language course was support- confident that language skills gained during the course will help them visit ed by Culture, History and Mongolia and communicate with its people in their own language. One of Language in the College of the students - Christian Sorace, who is a postdoctoral fellow at the Aus- Asia and the Pacific, Mongolia tralian Centre on China in the World believes that the course laid a perfect Institute, ANU, the Mongolian basis for his Mongolian which he hopes to use in his field work for his next National University and the research project on urbanisation in the long-term. Mongolian Embassy in Aus- tralia. Please visit the student performance of the Mongolian national anthem here: https://youtu.be/J2kB9w2tODo

I s s u e 5 P a g e 4 Some Members’ Activities

Mongolian Perspective of Asian Com- the Era of the Anthropocene'. For further details munity visit: http://www.cas.uio.no/research/1516arctic/ index.php. Natasha will also be presenting within a Prof. Li Narangoa was invited to give a talk on Mon- conference about 'Domestication and Hybrid Com- golian Perspective of Asian Community at the ‘Asia munities: coexistence, coevolution, cooperation' Time’ Symposium organized by Guandong Museum in Paris, April 2016. of Fine Arts on 11 December 2015. A documentary film titled "Well Water Seminar on Industrialization and Urbani- Testing: Public Participation in Scien- zation of Grassland tific Research" Dr.Tangudai Burenjargal presented a seminar on 29 Wuqiriletu (Uchralt) has released a short documen- January 2016 at the ANU, giving a brief report on tary film online titled "Well Water Testing: Public his research. Participation in Scientific Research", produced out of his fieldwork in Inner Mongolia and Japan. The video segment can be found at the follow- ing link: http://survivalpolitics.org/case- study/mongolia/fieldwork-mongolia/.

According to his research, industriali- zation, urbanization and illegal occu- pation of grasslands for other use have increasingly caused social problems in Inner Mongolia in recent years. Inner Mongolian pastoral areas share com- mon borders with Mongolia and and this region has therefore been a target for industrial and Final Oral Presentation of PhD Thesis urban development. Over-occupation of grasslands and the transformation of grassland into non- G. Narantuya has been writing her PhD thesis on pastoral areas during industrialization and urbaniza- ‘Transcending Human Rights Instrumentalism: a tion is not a simple economic problem but a compli- Study of the Implementation of the UN Convention cated issue that concerns the survival and sustaina- on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Austral- ble development of and many other nation- ia and Mongolia’. Her final oral presentation will be alities in the pastoral area. held on 23 February 2016.

A research group 'Arctic Domestication New Administrator in the Era of the Anthropocene' Enkh-Orshikh Khurlee, a graduate student from Dr. Natasha Fijn is currently on a research fellow- Mongolia at the ANU National Security College, was ship at the Centre for Advanced Studies at the Nor- accepted as a part-time administrative assistant wegian Academy of Sciences and Letters in Oslo, with the ANU Mongolia Institute. as part of a research group 'Arctic Domestication in

I s s u e 5 P a g e 5 News Update

Appointment of Ambassador to Mongolia Mongolian ethnic ballad band at ANU On 22 December 2015, the Hon Ethnic ballad band “Khusugtun”, the Grand finalist of Julie Bishop MP, Minister for For- the 2015 ‘Asia’s Got Talent’ show, performed a live eign Affairs, announced the open- concert in Canberra on the first day of December ing of the Australian Embassy in 2015. Ulaanbaatar and the appointment of Mr John Langtry as Australia's The event was organised by the ANU Mongolia Insti- first resident Ambassador to Mon- tute in association with the Embassy of Mongolia in golia. Australia. The performance attracted about 300 guests, including Members of the Australian Parlia- Australia’s Embassy in Ulaanbaatar will serve more ment, representatives of the Department of Foreign than 50 Australian organisations currently undertak- ing business in Mongolia and many more seeking Affairs and Trade and other governmental organisa- trade, investment and education opportunities there. tions, members of the Diplomatic corps, Mongolians It will enhance the already strong cooperation be- in Canberra as well as the Australian public. The tween the two countries ‘on global and regional is- event took place in the Llewellyn Hall, ANU. sues, including defence and security’.

Upcoming Events

Photo: H.E. Mr Batlai Chuluunhuu, Ambassador of Mongolia to Australia, Professor Veronica Taylor, Dean of Asia and the Pacific College, Professor Li Narangoa, Director of Mongolia Institute with members of Khusugtun Band

Welcome

Dr Christian Sorace has recently joined the Mongolia Institute. Christian Sorace is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Australian Centre on China in the World. His research focuses on the ideology, discourse, and political concepts of the Chinese Com- munist Party and how they shape policies, strategies, and governance hab- its. Christian’s new research project is a cross-national comparison of planned ur- ban redevelopment, demolition, and relocation in Mongolia and China. He is specif- ically interested in the local state plans to redevelop Ulaanbaatar's ger districts, and how local ger residents encounter and perceive the state. He is also interested in the fate of Mongolia's communist-era planned cities, like Choibalsan, that no longer have viable political economic support. Additionally, he would like to research the political aesthetics of Mongolia's communist-era cinema."

I s s u e 5 P a g e 6 News Update

A presentation on Mongolia at the CWA country of study event

The Country Women’s Association (CWA) of New South Wales Branch organized a gathering in Canber- ra on 30 January 2016. Professor Li Narangoa was invited to give a talk on ‘Chinggis Khan and Women’ . Each year, the Country Women’s Association of New South Wales selects a country for study and invites women to participate in discovering its history, geography and culture. Mongolia was chosen to be the study subject for 2016. This one day event was organised by the Embassy of Mongolia in Australia and the Country Women’s Association of NSW. Nearly 300 women (some of them accompanied by their spouts) came together to this event. Prof. Li Narangoa’s talk was followed by a talk by Madam Losol Byambaa, spouse of Mongoli-

an Ambassador Mr Chuluunhuu. A Mongolian fashion show organized by the Mongolian community in Canberra in the morning with other talks in the afternoon.

Upcoming Events and Conferences

International Mongolian Studies Con- relating to both human and animal health in the gress: The four yearly international Mongolian Mongolian cultural area, from both Mongolia and Inner Mongolia. This workshop will be funded by the Studies Congress will be held in Ulaanbaatar be- Research School of College of Asia and the Pacific, tween 15-18 August 2016. For more information, ANU. For more information, please contact Nata- please send a message to [email protected].

A "One Health" Approach: health and Mongolia Update in Ulaanbaatar: The ANU wellbeing on the grassland steppes Mongolia Institute is convening a Mongolia Update The ANU Mongolia Institute is organizing a work- in Ulaanbaatar on 13 August 2016. shop on traditional Mongolian medical approach in Postgraduate Summer School in conjunction with the International Mongolian Studies Ulaanbaatar: The Mongolian National Council Congress in August 2016. for Mongolian Studies is convening its 2016 Post- The key purpose of the workshop is to build collabo- graduate Summer School in Ulaanbaatar between 5 rative research ties with academics from Mongolia and 19 August 2016. Application forms will be re- and Inner Mongolia (within China), as well as medi- leased shortly. If you are postgraduate students in cal and veterinary practitioners operating within Australia, please contact Mongo- Mongolia. The workshop will be a means of estab- [email protected] for further details. lishing further connections with experts in their field,

I s s u e 5 P a g e 7

Upcoming Events

Public lecture: "Mongolia in the Shadows cause to its people and the environment. Dr. J. of Two Nuclear Neighbours" Enkhsaikhan shall be speaking on these troubling issues that are overshadowed by day-to-day A public lecture by Dr. Enkhsaikhan Jargalsaikhan, a headline grabbing issues. former diplomat who represented Mongolia in Austria and at the United Nations in New York, will be held at the ANU at 5pm, 18 March 2016. Venue: Lecture Theatre W.121, Baldessin Precinct, Building 110, ANU. For more details, please contact: [email protected]

A brief abstract : Mongolians are a proud people with a glorious history that in the XIII century built the largest land empire. They are also known for their unique nomadic culture. However, geopolitically, Mongolia is a country locked between the resurgent Russia and “peacefully” rising China that in the last century have been rivals, ideological allies, then adversaries. This was followed by a period of communist version during the cold war on the verge of a hot war, with Mongolia serving as a buffer. During the height of Sino-Soviet dispute and border clashes, the Soviet bases in Mongolia served as potential springboards for possible Soviet Sustainable grassland conference in preventive strikes against China and its nuclear Shiliingol facilities. Unlike the Cuban nuclear crisis, not much is known about this dangerous period of history. The ANU Mongolia Institute is organizing an interna- tional symposium on Sustainable Grassland together In order to prevent such situations in the future, since the early 1990s Mongolia has been working to turn with Inner Mongolia University, Agricultural College its territory into a nuclear-weapon-free zone and to of Shilingol and Mongolian Academy of Social Si- have the five nuclear-weapon states, including its lences on 1-3 July 2016. The conference covers immediate neighbours, recognize that status and three main themes: pastural culture, grassland ecolo- provide it with appropriate security assurances. With gy and sustainability. The deadline for abstract sub- over two-dozen nuclear facilities of its neighbors near mission is 30 March 2016. Paper abstract along with its borders, Mongolia is also aware of the potential harm that these peaceful uses of nuclear energy can a short CV for consideration should be sent to the [email protected]

Erecting Mongolian Ger At the ANU

The ANU will be the first Australian university who will own a Mongolian ger (yurt). A beautiful ger will be presented by H.E. Mr. Mongolyn Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj, the , as a gift to the ANU.

The Ger will be erected on 17 or 18 March 2016 (depending on the weather) by the Mongolian Embassy on the ANU campus outside the Coombs Building. Mem- bers of ANU community as well as the general public who are interested in archi- tecture, design and Mongolian culture are very welcome to participate in the event. More information will be given on the College of Asia and the Pacific Event site closer to the date.

The Ger will be officially handed over by Mr. Damba Gankhuyag, State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia, on 23 March 2016 (the exact time is yet to be confirmed).

I s s u e 5 P a g e 8

Our Community

MEMBERS RESEARCH INTERESTS

Li Narangoa Political economy, welfare

Robert Cribb Borders, violence, nationalism

Igor de History, Rachewiltz ADVISORS

John Powers Intellectual history, H.E. Mr Batlai Chuluunhuu, Am- McComas Epic narratives, literature bassador of Mon- Taylor golia to Australia Jack Fenner Archaeology Kent Anderson, Deputy Vice- Natasha Fijn Human-animal studies, observa- Chancellor tional filmmaking (International) and Maria Rost Security, nuclear issues Professor of Law at Rublee the University of Western Australia Kuntala Lahiri- Mining, gender , development Dutt study Ravdan Bold, For- mer Ambassador of Baiying Borjigin Family history, Qing history Mongolia to Aus- tralia Gesar Temur Religion, identity David Guy, Inde- Ariun-Erdene Economics pendent consultant Bayarjargal Christian Politics, urbanization Sorace

PhD, MA RESEARCH TOPICS BOARD SCHOLARS MEMBERS

Narantuya Universal regulation and local Li Narangoa Ganbat application Natasha Fijn Jonathan Geser Epic and Buryat Mongol Jack Fenner Ratcliffe identity Robert Cribb Tenzin Advice to the King: A letter from John McCarthy Ringpapontsang Phags Pa Lama to Khubilai Khan David Brophy Wuqiriletu Environment, Grassroots politics in Mongolia and Inner Mongolia ASSISTANT Spencer ‘State’ power and nomadic rela- Enkh-Orshikh Khurlee Haines tions in Inner Asian history Enkh-Orshikh National security, Northeast Asia Khurlee

I s s u e 5