National office and branch activities.

• Position: INSTITUTE NOTES

On 14 February Ambassador David M. Satterfield, the director-general of the Multinational Force and Observers in Sinai, addressed a meeting at Victoria University of Wellington on 'The MFO after 30 years and its role in maintaining peace in the Sinai'.

A delegation from the Standing Committee met with the Parliamentary Select Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade on 16 February.

A seminar was held on 17 February with the Seoul-based Institute of Foreign Affairs and National Security. The two institutes signed a memorandum of understanding that is designed to increase co-operation between them.

Antonio Guterres, the UN high commissioner for refugees, delivered the NZIIA's 11th Annual Foreign Policy Lecture oil 23 February. His topic was 'UNHCR and the Global Displacement Challenge'.

The NZIIA has become a partner with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in the design and delivery of an induction/ orientation training programme for Papua New Guinea diplomats. The first course was held from 13 to 24 February.

On 6 March Ambassador Dr Beat Nobs, assistant state secretary, Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Berne, and Ambassador Dr Cyrill Nunn, director-general for Asian and Pacific Affairs, Berlin, gave a combined address on 'Europe and the Asia-Pacific Region: The German and Swiss Perspectives' at the Wellington Club.

On 7 March there was a breakfast meeting with the prime minister's fellow, Dr Diego Canepa from Uruguay, and next day a roundtable was held with retired German diplomat Dr Klaus Aurisch on the subject 'Saving the Euro--Saving the Union'.

On 12 March Professor William Harris (head of the Department of Politics, University of Otago) and Dr Nigel Parsons (senior lecturer, Massey University) led a mini-seminar, 'The Arab Spring Revisited' at Victoria University of Wellington. Mahmoud Zayed (charge d'affaires of the Egyptian embassy in Wellington) also spoke about developments in his country since August 2011. A book containing the proceedings of the NZIIA's conference on the Arab Spring held last August was also launched.

Auckland

On 2 March a special general meeting was held to restructure the branch consequent upon Dr Jian Yang's resignation as chair following his election to Parliament. As a result the officers of the branch are as follows:

Chair--Gregory J. Thwaites

Vice Chairs--John Goodman and Dr Kim

Secretary--Dr Ashok Sharma

Treasurer--Xiang Gao

Seminar Co-ordinator--Noelene Buckland

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