Proposal for U.S. Speaker at 2006 Otago

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 WELLINGTON 000793 SIPDIS STATE FOR IIP/G/EA - SPRIETO; EAP/PD - AEGRIMES; EAP/ANP - DRICCI E.O.12958:N/A TAGS: OIIP OEXC SCUL SUBJECT: Proposal for U.S. Speaker at 2006 Otago Foreign Policy School ¶1. Post requests U.S. speaker Professor Susan Brownell, Chair, Dept. of Anthropology at St. Louis University, Missouri, in support of MPP Goal 07-03, Mutual Understanding. We would ideally like this visit to be for seven program days, Wednesday, June 21 - Tuesday, June 27; third quarter FY2006. ¶2. Justification and Objective: Since its inception in 1966, the University of Otago's Foreign Policy School (OFPS) has developed an international reputation, drawing top speakers from around the world. Government officials from the Prime Minister's Office, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of External Relations and Trade, academics, journalists, diplomats, members of the private sector, and interested public regularly participate. The theme for 2006 is "Sport and Foreign Policy in a Globalizing World," which the organizing committee considers an excellent follow-on from the UN's declaration of 2005 as the "International Year of Sport and Education." The OFPS believes that increasing recognition is being made of the role of sport in shaping identities, policies, and lifestyles worldwide. Post also recognizes the importance that China places on sports in its lead- up to the Olympics in Beijing and its foreign relations. Professor Brownell's expertise would dovetail perfectly with the speaking topics of other keynote speakers at this 41st Foreign Policy School conference and would provide it with a valuable opportunity to discuss relevant issues with this renowned academic, who is regarded internationally as an expert on US-China foreign relations, sports, and culture. Brownell is recognized also for her own sporting abilities (a nationally-ranked track and field athlete in the US before she joined the track team at Beijing University) and for lecturing in East Asian Studies. Post looks forward to programming her with both academic and sports organizations. ¶3. Professor Brownell is currently undertaking research on "The Body in Consumer Culture in Beijing." Her writings include "Training the Body for China: Sports in the Moral Order of the People's Republic." This is the first book on Chinese sports based on fieldwork in China by a Westerner. She is a member of the Research Council of the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland. As an expert on Chinese sports, she has written for different media including Sports Illustrated, The Los Angeles Times, The Atlanta Journal and Constitution, "The Sports Factor" (ABC),"The Ultimate Athlete" on the Discovery Channel, and China Central Television. ¶4. Activity Date, Fiscal Year, and Quarter: This is an FY06 program requested for the Third Quarter between June 23 and 26, 2006. ¶5. Audience and Types of Events: It is expected that the audiences for this program will be members of parliament and their policy makers, economists, academics, the media, members of the New Zealand Institute of International Relations in three of the main centers, and sports organizations. It is also anticipated that Professor Brownell will visit the university campuses in Wellington, Auckland, and Dunedin and undertake several media and representational events while in New Zealand. ¶6. Topics: While speech topics are to be decided in consultation with Professor Brownell, it is expected that the 41st Foreign Policy School would really benefit significantly from the first-hand insights and knowledge of such a distinguished scholar. ¶7. Please Note: The conference conveners have been in contact with Professor Brownell and confirm that she is available and interested in traveling to New Zealand at this time. ¶8. Professor Brownell's contact details: Email: sbrownell@umsl.edu Phone: 314-516-6451 Address: The Chair of the Anthropology Department 507 Clark Hall, UM-St. Louis 8001 Natural Bridge Road St. Louis, MO 63121 USA ¶9. Post Project Officer: Control Officer: Christine Vivian. Office Phone: 644-462-6112; Fax: 644-499-0490 Email: cvivian@actrix.gen.nz or VIVIANC@STATE.GOV. ¶10. Funding: Post will fund the speaker's international and domestic travel, per diem, and honoraria. Please advise soonest. BURNETT