The Embassy of Mongolia in Australia and Mongolia Institute at the Australian National University co-hosted an online conference “Mongolia Update II: Health and Wellbeing” on 22 November 2021.
Scholars from Mongolia, Inner Mongolia and Austalia participated in the conference and discussed the wide range of topics including the role of traditional Mongolian medicine, practices on fighting the pandemic and its challenges. The conference was highlighted with a presentation by keynote speaker Khambu Lama D.Natsagdorj, Director of the Otoch Manramba University of traditional Mongolian medicine. In his opening remarks Ambassador D.Davaasuren underlined that the Government of Mongolia attaches great importance to develop Mongolian studies abroad and expressed that the Embassy of Mongolia will continue extending unswerving support towards the ANU’s Mongolia Institute.
The Mongolia Institute at the Australian National University was established in 2011 and annually organises conferences on Mongolian studies as well as the “Mongolia Update” conference.
OPENING REMARK BY H.E. DAVAASUREN DAMDINSUREN AT THE “MONGOLIA UPDATE” CONFERENCE
Honourable Helen Sullivan (Dean of College of Asia and the Pacific),
Dear Professor Narangoa,
Distinguished scholars and participants of the “Mongolia Update-2” online conference,
At the outset, as a tradition in Australia, I would like to acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land and pay my respect to their elders of past, present, and emerging.
I am very honoured to open and participate in the “Mongolia Update-2” conference. As a matter of fact, it is my first official event since I have presented a copy of my credentials to the Chief of Protocol of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. I am going to present my credentials to the Governor-General of Australia few days later, on 30th of November.
Hereby, I would like to thank the Australian National University, namely College of Asia and the Pacific administration for its continuous support as well as Professor Li Narangoa and her dedicated team at the Mongolia Institute for organizing “Mongolia Update-2” online conference under the theme “Health and Wellbeing”. It has not been an easy year for all of us with the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic developments, restrictions, and lockdowns. But it couldn’t halt us from finding more ways to communicate, enabling us to organize events and activities in more creative and engaging ways.
Despite of the challenging times of Covid-19, I was impressed by the Mongolia Institute’s efforts to organize more than 20 online lectures and seminars on various topics for last 2 years, helping us to further promote Mongolia and Mongolian studies in Australia. I would like to highlight that the most recent one was “Mongolia Update 1” online conference held on 17 June 2021 where it welcomed speakers from Mongolia, Inner Mongolia, Australia, Germany, and the USA.
I acknowledge this event’s speakers as very interesting and well-respected in their area of expertise. It would be very exciting to listen to their perspective on psychological and spiritual responses to both health and wellbeing, especially at a time when the humankind is facing once-a-century pandemic. To this note, allow me to express my deepest gratitude to scholars and speakers, who will be presenting their work today.
It is crucial for us to continue promoting the study of Mongolian language, culture, and history and I am confident that outstanding scholars presenting today will continue to make their valuable contributions to the development and enrichment of Mongol studies. I also believe that this conference will further strengthen the links and collaboration between scholars, students, and enthusiasts of Mongol studies.
While emphasizing that the Government of Mongolia attaches great importance to Mongolian studies abroad and continues extending its unswerving support, I wish to express my assurances that the Embassy of Mongolia will continue its support towards the ANU’s Mongolia Institute and Mongolian studies in general.
As stated on the “Vision-2050” long-term policy document of Mongolia and “Action Plan of the Government from 2020 to 2024”, the Government of Mongolia will continue to support efforts to promote and preserve Mongolian language, culture, and traditions. Just recently, on 9 September 2021, the “World Mongolians-2” programme was approved and launched by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Mongolia which will further support our Government’s efforts.
I am also pleased to share that Mongolian schools are opening their doors in Australian cities and states where many Mongolians have been residing. Number of schools are operating in Sydney and less than a month ago another school was opened in Perth. Currently around 30 Mongolian children are studying at the Mongolian school in Perth. As an Embassy, we will support Mongolian schools’ operations and look forward to opening many more schools in Canberra, Melbourne, Brisbane, and other cities.
It is important to mention our Cultural Envoy in Australia Mr John Langtry and Honorary Consuls’ efforts to develop people-to-people links between Mongolia and Australia. Mr Langtry is working hard to establish a cooperation between the Mongolian National Park and National Arboretum Canberra as well as broadcast Mongolian movies and contents through Australian channels. Our Honorary Consuls are assisting Mongolians in Western Australia, Victoria, and New Zealand. We have recently welcomed a member to the club, a good friend of Mongolia Mr Brian Thornton has been appointed as an Honorary Consul of Mongolia in New South Wales. I plan to present his certificate and stamp in early December.
As you might be aware, next year is a very important year for us. It marks the historic 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Mongolia and Australia. It’s an important milestone for our countries and people and we are planning to hold a year-long celebrations filled with interesting events and activities. We look forward to organizing exhibitions, seminars, and other events in collaboration with the Mongolian Institute and invite scholars from Mongolia and all around the World. I do believe that for the next year’s “Mongolia Update” conference, we will be able to physically welcome guests from Mongolia and abroad.
To conclude my remarks, I wish every success to our speakers and participants of today’s conference and look forward to hearing interesting speeches and presentations.
May good deeds flourish!
Thank you for your attention.