Mongolian Studies Newsletter

I s s u e 2 February 2014

Inside this issue: Mongolia Institute wishes you a Ambassadorial Affirma- 1 tion Happy Year of the Horse!

Congratulations 1

2013 Open Conference 2

Intensive Language 3 Course Congratulations Projects, Publications 4 2013 was a very fruitful and Fieldwork year for Mongolian Stud- Visitors, Seminars and 5 ies at the ANU. The grad- Cultural Activity uation of Michael Hope in July was followed by the Welcome 6 successful completion of two doctoral and one Australia-Mongolia 6 masters degrees: Business Council Rebekah Plueckhahn, News From Mongolia 6 PhD. Thesis: "Musical Ambassadorial network of the Institute Sociality: The Signifi- Judicial Reform Law 7 expand to include schol- cance of Musical Engage- ment Among the Mongoli- Entered into Force Affirmation ars, researchers and pro- an Altai Urianghai". fessionals in Australia, in Coming Up... 7 It gives me great pleasure Mongolia and across the Undargaa Sandagsuren, to make a small contribu- PhD. Thesis: “Property Our community 8 globe. I am proud that the tion to this new issue of „owners‟ without rights? Mongolian Embassy in the newsletter of the ANU Exploring property rela- Canberra is able to sup- Institute of Mongolian tions and access in the Welcome to the port the work of the Insti- herlen Bayan-Ulaan Re- Studies. Over the past second issue of the Mon- tute in small ways and I serve Pasture Area of couple of years I have golian Studies newsletter commend Professor Li Mongolia”. at Australian National seen the Institute grow Narangoa, her colleagues Itgel Chuluunbaatar, University. This newsletter from little more than a also hopes to serve the and the ANU for their initi- MA. Thesis: “Critical Dis- bright idea to a function- broader Mongolian Studies ative in establishing the tance: analysing China community in Australia. If ing centre for Mongolian threat perception in Mon- Institute and supporting it you have any information studies of all kinds, one of golia”. that you would like to share during its early stages. I only a handful of with us, please feel free to wish the Institute every We wish all three of our send any news, announce- such centres worldwide. members great success success in the future. ments to The Institute is extremely in their future endeav- [email protected] valuable in fostering rela- ours. or [email protected] Ravdan Bold, tions between Mongolia Yours sincerely, Ambassador of Mongolia and Australia by sponsor- to Australia The Editors ing research and by teaching the Mongolian ANU College of language. I have seen the Asia and the Pacific http://chl.anu.edu.au/sites/mongolianstudies/ P a g e 2 Mongolian Studies Open Conference

The Second Mongolian Studies Open Conference in Australia was held successfully at the Australian National University (ANU) in Can- berra on 4 November. The conference was opened by Prof. Jenny Corbett, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Research Training, ANU, followed by the keynote address by Prof. Boldbaatar, the Deputy Vice Chancelor of Ulaanbaatar University. The conference was con- cluded by His Excellency Dr Ravdan Bold, Ambassador of Mongolia to Australia. More than forty people attended the Conference. Speakers included scholars from Japan, Korea, China, Mongolia and Australia. The event included presentations on a wide range of aspects of Mongolian histo- ry, economics, politics, security and culture. Topics covered were as diverse as current trends in land tenure reform, historical patterns of relations between Mongolia and neighbouring countries and the devel- opment of the contemporary Mongolian language. We are very pleased with the outcomes. It is important to hold such conferences to consolidate and expand contacts between researchers in many disciplines who have a common interest in Mongolia. Such events also help to raise the profile of Mongolia in Australia. The conference was sponsored by the Mongolia Institute, College of Asia and the Pacific, Australian National University and by the Mongo- lian Embassy in Australia. It is hoped that the conference will become a regular event on the Australian academic calendar.

Prof. Boldbaatar His Excellency, Ambassador Prof. Jenny Corbett, Pro-VC, ANU Deputy VC Ulaanbaatar University Ravdan Bold

Munkh-Ochir Dorjjugder Tsogtbaatar Damdin Director of Defence Policy Institute Former Minister of Environmente

I s s u e 2 P a g e 3

Intensive Language Course

A three-week intensive course in the Mongolian language was held at the Australian National University (ANU) in Canberra from 27 January to 14 February. The course was taught by Pro- fessor Bat-Ireedui from the National University of Mongolia. Professor Bat-Ireedui is a linguist and highly experienced in teaching Mongolian to foreigners. The dozen participants came from varied back- grounds. They included undergraduate students, postgraduate students, researchers and people planning to visit or work in Mongolia. The course assumed no prior knowledge of the language. All participants successfully passed the course and Professor Bat- Ireedui was very impressed by the enthusiasm and commit- ment by the students and how fast they learned. The course concluded with an exam followed by a lunch time party. The students performed one of the songs they learned “Tala Nu- tag” (the Steppe) and Cholmon, one of the students of the class played beautifully on Mongolian traditional string instru- ment Morin Huur (Horse head fiddle) that he learned in Inner Mongolia a few years ago. The first course of this kind was held last year, but this course attracted more students which is very encouraging. This language course was supported by Culture, History and Language, College of Asia and the Pacific, Mongolia Institute, College of Asia and the Pacific, ANU and the Mongolian Na- tional University and the Mongolian Embassy to Australia. Cholmon performing Morin Huur The Mongolia Institute hopes to hold the intensive course again in 2015. The ANU has also been offering a History course “The Mongol Empire in World History” and in first semester 2014 over 30 students have been enrolled in the course.

Some of the students together with Prof. Bat-Ireedui in the classroom

I s s u e 2 P a g e 4 New Projects and Publications

Translation of Geser Khan the political configuration of Northeast Asia in the last Igor de Rachewiltz four centuries, delineating the distinct history and im- After the publication in 2013 of the third and last vol- portance of the region. This book will be released by ume of his work on the Secret History of the Mongols, Columbia University Press in May 2014. Dr Igor de Rachewiltz has now started a new project, viz. the translation of the Mongolian Romance of Ge- Mongols: Descended from Orangutans? Robert ser Khan (as distinct from the original Tibetan epic) in Cribb's new book, Wild man the Peking printed edition of 1716. This version has from Borneo: a cultural history never been translated into English. of the orangutan (with Helen Gilbert and Helen Tiffen; Uni- versity of Hawaii Press, 2014) The Jarud Branch of Chinggis Khan’s Family Tree might seem remote from Mon- Baiying Borjigin golia, but in his research he The project is looking at how the has uncovered the fascinating eldest son of this princely branch story of an English doctor who came to be incorporated into the claimed that the difference be- Imperial banners during the Qing tween English and Mongols Dynasty in the 17th century. Dr was that the former were de- Baiying Borjigin recently submit- scended from chimpanzees ted a book manuscript to the Chi- and the latter from orangutans. nese Social Science Publishing Details at http://www.uhpress.hawaii.edu/p-9137- House for publication which was 9780824837143.aspx part of his bigger project. The book will be published in 2014. He is also author of Searching For My Source: A Descendant of Ghengis Khan (Canberra, 2010). Fieldwork PhD scholar Nara Ganbat spent two months in Ulaanbaatar for fieldwork in 2013 ex- Nuclear nonproliferation and Disarmament amining the mechanics of domestic implementation Maria Rost Rublee of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Dr Rublee is investigating how norm entrepreneurs Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) as PhD project, have influenced nuclear nonproliferation and dis- Nara has conducted interviews with key actors in the armament in a number of countries, including Mongo- area of disability and human rights from the Govern- lia. The Mongolian project examines the process by ment, civil society and international organisations. which the country became the first single-state nucle- Before she commenced her PhD study at the ANU in ar weapons free zone. Who were the important ac- 2012, Nara had worked for the Mongolian Human tors, what methods did they use, and what barriers Rights Commission, a statutory body mandated to did they face? Additionally, the project examines how overseeing the implementation of human rights laws the Mongolian success influenced not only Mongolian applicable to Mongolia. Working as a focal point of perceptions of security, but also the efforts to achieve the human rights and disability issues of the Commis- a nuclear weapons free zone in Central Asia. sion (2006-2008), she was personally involved in the process of the ratification of the UNCRPD by the Historical Atlas of Northeast Asia Mongolian Government. „I thought that I know rea- Li Narangoa and Robert Cribb sonably well about what is happening with regard to This Atlas examines a Northeast Asia whose history implementing the UNCRPD in Mongolia. But my field- has been distinct from that of China, Japan and Rus- work showed me that how different it can be to look sia and which has commonly been treated as only into the familiar context with an outsider‟s eye, alt- marginal to the history of those great powers. For hough I may not be able to completely separate my- four centuries, Northeast Asia has been at the junc- self from the context. I realised that my view was tion of the ambitions of rival power centres, but local pretty much informed and shaped by my professional people, both indigenes and settlers, have vigorously mandate. The fieldwork was an opportunity to under- asserted their own identities and their own aspira- stand the process in systematic manner‟ concluded tions in the face of outside power. This atlas tracks Nara about the outcomes of her fieldwork.

I s s u e 2 P a g e 5 Seminars and Visitors

Distinguished Visitor and Public Visit by Australian Leadership Lecture: The Mongolia Institute hosted Dr. Ura- Award Fellows from Mongolia dyn E. Bulag from Cam- In September 2013, fifteen Australian Leadership bridge University who vis- Award fellows from Mongolia representing govern- ited the ANU between 11 ment and civil society visited Australia to participate and 20 September 2013. in the “Leadership, Change Management and Sus- On 19 September, Dr Bu- tainable Governance Framework” program funded lag‟s visit was sponsored under the Australian Government‟s Australian by the Research School Awards Fellowship. They took part in two two-week of College of Asia and intensive workshops conducted in partnership with Pacific. He delivered a Griffith University, Australian National University and public lecture on “The Na- Queensland University of Technology. During their tionality Regional Autonomy System and Its Securiti- stay at the ANU, several of the delegates including zation: On the Chinese Regime of 'Mutual Depriva- Dr Tsedendamba Samdan, Chief of Staff of the Civil tion” which was provocative and stimulating. He also Service Council of Mongolia, Mr Nyamjav Darjaa, conducted Master Classes for graduate students. Director of the State and Government Service Agen- cy, Dr Urantsooj Gombosuren, Head of the Centre for Human Rights and Development and Mrs Lecture on Mongolian Law Reform: Tsetsgee Yundendorj, Deputy Director of Coffey In- Dr Batbold Amarsanaa, the Vice-Director, National ternational Development visited the Mongolia Insti- Legal Institute of Mongolia under Ministry of Justice tute. Professor Li Narangoa introduced the Institute of Mongolia, visited the ANU and presented a semi- and exchanged views on future activities and coop- nar talk on “Legal and judi- eration. cial reform: Current develop- ments in Mongolia” on 19 September 2013. The semi- nar focused on recent devel- opments surrounding legal and judicial reform in Mongo- lia: what are the major com- ponents of legal and judicial reform; what is the driving force behind this reform; how this reform is different from previous efforts. The seminar was sponsored by The Regulatory Institu- tions Network and Mongolia Institute, ANU. Movie Night: In conjunction with the Mongoli- an Studies Open Conference on 5 November 2013, Mr Li Lin (Philip) from PhD Scholar’s Visit: the Mongolian Student Association in Canberra and the History Department, Chi- the Embassy of Mongolia nese University of Hong Kong sponsored a Mongolian came as visiting fellow for four cultural night at the ANU months between Oct. 2013 in the evening. The film and Feb. 2014. During his “Mongolian Bling” was stay he worked on his PhD premiered and Mongolian thesis “The military examina- traditional food was tion system of Banner men served. More than 100 during the Qing”. He also at- people participated in the tended the Intensive Mongoli- film screening. an language class before his departure.

I s s u e 2 P a g e 6

Welcome

New Assistant New Appointment to the Advisory Board Itgel Chuluunbaatar has recently joined us as Professor Kent Anderson, Pro Vice-Chancellor part-time assistant at the (International) and Professor of Law at the University of Institute. She successfully Adelaide has joined the advisory board of the Mongolia completed her MA in Inter- Institute at ANU. Professor Anderson was educated in national Relations at the Japan, US, and the UK in law, politics, economics and College of Asia and the Asian studies. Before taking on his present appointment in Pacific, ANU in the end of 2012, Kent spent a decade at the ANU College of Law 2013. Now she is pursuing and Faculty of Asian Studies, where he was Director from her second MA in Diploma- 2007-2011. He was the Foundation Director of the School cy. She also served as the of Culture, History and Language in the ANU's College of President of Mongolian Asia and the Pacific. He played a key role in facilitating Student Association at the the establishment of the Mongolian Studies Centre in ANU until very recently and 2011. He will bring a wealth of experience to the advisory worked as assistant organizer of the Second board and we are most grateful that he has agreed to ac- Mongolian Studies Open Conference in 2013. cept the position.

Australia-Mongolia Business Council

The Australia-Mongolia Business Council, a body Australia has risen significantly. Around thirty Australi- aimed to promote the mutually beneficial economic, an companies have established a local office in Mon- investment and business interests of Mongolia and golia and 170 small or medium-sized companies have Australia, was registered by the Australian Securities links with Mongolia. The Embassy of Mongolia in Aus- and Investments Commission on 28 Janu- tralia has long been supportive of efforts to

ary 2014. Mr Mark Green, International establish a business council of this kind. The Managing Partner of Minter Ellison Law- new Council intends to host a number of yers, has been elected as the Council's events in Australia to facilitate the sharing of inaugural Chairman. In recent times, the experience of doing business in Mongolia. level of investment into Mongolia from

News from Mongolia Legal Reform Proceeds in Mongolia

The New Foreign Investment Law Judicial Reform Law Entered into Force In 2013 the Mongolian Parliament passed some im- The Parliament also passed a package of judicial and portant pieces of legislation relevant to the operations legal changes representing the most comprehensive of international business. legal and institutional reforms since the 1990s. The package clarifies the status of lawyers and the legal A new investment law creates consistency in the reg- profession, restructures court administration and the ulation of domestic and foreign investors and estab- operations of the judiciary and codifies the role of citi- lishes stable tax periods. The new law replaces earli- zen's representatives in court proceedings. It also er legislation and is expected to avoid disputes be- regulates alternative forms of dispute resolution such tween the Government of Mongolia and foreign inves- as conciliation and mediation. The reforms are intend- tors and reduce the time required for approvals, in- ed to lay the foundation for judicial practice in Mongo- creasing the range and scale of future investments. lia for the next decade and beyond. Background information on the new law is available at http://chl.anu.edu.au/sites/mongolianstudies/ Details of the reforms are continued on page 7. _documents/mongolia_tax2013.pdf

I s s u e 2 P a g e 7

Coming Up

The Mongolian Minister of Foreign Affairs Visiting the ANU The Mongolian Foreign Minister, Mr. Luvsanvandan Bold is visiting the ANU during his official state visit in March 2014 and will be launching the special issue of East Asia Forum: on the Edge of Asia which has a focus on Mongolia and Burma on 19 March 2014. Venue: Crawford Molonglo Theatre (DLD2), Bldg 1, The Australian National University Time: 1:30-2:30pm 19 March 2014 Contact: Rosemary Tran, Email: [email protected], Phone: 02 6125 6411.

Mongolia Update: After the very successful Mongolian Update in 2012, the Mongolia Institute is plan- ning to organize the second Mongolia Update in early November 2014. Details are yet to be announced.

Judicial Reform Law Entered authority, operation and guarantee portance of alternative dispute res- into Force (continued) for the judiciary‟s power. The new olution, especially mediation, in law regulates the restructuring of Mongolia. This law regulates the

the court system is based on circle relations on usage of reconciliation In 2013 a Law on Judiciary of Mon- principle by bringing into consider- and mediation proceedings in dis- golia, Court Administration Law, ation of territory, size of population, putes of civil, commercial, family Law on Legal Status of Lawyers, number of cases and disputes. and labor law. Law on Legal Status of Judges, Court of First Instance and Appel- The Court Administration Law Legal Status of Citizen‟s Repre- late Court is established to special- prior to this new law the concept of sentative, Reconciliation and Medi- ize in criminal, civil and administra- court administration was unclear, ation Law passed by the Parlia- tive cases. From this time judges General Council of Court and Court ment within the framework of the are prohibited to displace one an- Administrative function, duties were Judicial Reform initiated by the other. This law includes a package uncertain, there were difficulties in President of Mongolia, have come of guarantee such as economic, conducting judicial proceedings into force. This reform is the big- political, legal, security and organi- normally and effectively without gest legislative and institutional zational in order to guarantee the giving due consideration to court reform in the judiciary since the independence of the judiciary. At administration. The implication of 1990s. To briefly introduce these present the judicial budget is re- this law is to determine the duties Laws: duced by the government following and functions of the General Coun- The Law on Legal Status of Law- approval by the parliament. Now cil of Courts having the primary yers: The efficiency of this law is the judiciary budget will be submit- mandate to ensure the independ- to establish an integrated liability ted directly to the parliament and ence of the judiciary, the impartiali- system and provide a mechanism there will be no deductions for sal- ty of judges, and the day-to-day to resolve the professional fault of aries and operating expense. operation of the judicial system, justices, prosecutors and attorneys. Legal Status of Citizen’s Repre- including its uses, organizational This law provides that the new sentative: This law regulates the structure, operational principles of Lawyers‟ Association shall be a determination of legal grounds for the court administration, and regu- professional self-governed body the activities and selection of citi- lation of the legal status of court responsible for approving and en- zens' representatives to participate staff. forcing the professional standards in court proceedings. In the past This report is kindly provid- of lawyers. The Lawyers‟ Associa- various people have participated in ed by the Mongolian National Legal tion will be responsible for uniting trials as a representative of citi- Institute. all persons with a license to en- zens. The new law allows individu- gage in legal professional activities als to participate in trials only if as well as approving professional they are selected formally as a citi- standards on behalf of all lawyers, zens' representative. Members of imposing liability, conducting con- Parliament, judges, prosecutors' tinuous legal education among law- attorneys and other specific offi- yers, developing legal education, cials are precluded from appoint to supporting legal assistance to indi- such positions. viduals and representing the inter- Reconciliation and Mediation ests and rights of lawyers. Law: From the statistics of judicial Law on Judiciary: This law regu- proceedings, 30-40 percent of civil lates the relations in connection lawsuits are resolved in reconcilia- with determination of legal grounds tion. This demonstrates the im- for judiciary system, organization, P a g e 8

Our Community

MEMBERS RESEARCH INTERESTS

Li Narangoa Identity, environment, social pol- icies Robert Cribb Borders, violence, nationalism

Igor de History, Mongol Empire Rachewiltz

John Powers Intellectual history, Buddhism

McComas Epic narratives, literature Taylor ADVISORS Jack Fenner Archaeology H.E. Ravdan Bold, Ambassador of Natasha Fijn Human-animal studies, observa- Mongolia to Aus- tional filmmaking tralia Maria Rost Security, nuclear issues Kent Anderson, Pro Rublee Vice-Chancellor (International) and Michael Hope Mongol empire Professor of Law at the University of Baiying Borjigin Family history, Qing history Adelaide Holly Barcus Culture, migration, place identity David Guy, Inde- pendent consultant Rebekah Mongolian music and perfor- Plueckhahn mance

PhD, MA RESEARCH TOPICS SCHOLARS

Gesar Temur Buddhist revival in contempo- BOARD rary Mongolia: a western form MEMBERS of Buddhism comes to Mongolia Narantuya Universal regulation and local Li Narangoa Ganbat application: Implementation of Natasha Fijn the UN convention on the right of persons with disabilities in Jack Fenner Mongolia and Australia 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 Itgel Chuluun- Diplomacy baatar (MA)

I s s u e 2