4-6 September 2025

The International Federation of Translators (FIT) awarded Alan Cockerill

The International Federation of Translators (FIT) has awarded Monash affiliated translator Alan Cockerill an honourable mention for the Aurora Borealis Prize for Outstanding Translation of Non-fiction Literature at their triennial congress, held from 4–6 September this year in Geneva, Switzerland. Alan Cockerill received the award in recognition of his translations of works by the eminent Ukrainian educator, Vasyl Sukhomlynsky.

Alan Cockerill translated Vasyl Sukhomlynsky’s My Heart I Give to Children, Our School in Pavlysh: A Holistic Approach to Education,  I’ll Tell You a Story … Philosophy for Children and other works of Sukhomlynsky.

Works of Sukhomlynsky translated by Alan Cockerill

Alan Cockerill is also the author of Each One Must Shine, a study of the life and legacy of Vasyl Sukhomlynsky (1918–1970).

30-31 January 2025

AACapS 17th Biennial Conference jointly with ANZSA, 2025: Overview

AACaPS-ANZSA 2025 Conference Report

Changing Divisions in Europe and the Asia-Pacific: A New Cold War?
30-31 January 2025
University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand

The Australasian Association for Communist and Post-Communist Studies (AACaPS) and the Australian and New Zealand Slavists’ Association (ANZSA) hosted the 2025 international conference, bringing together over 60 distinguished scholars, researchers, and practitioners from Australia, New Zealand, Europe, and Asia. The event was graciously hosted and sponsored by the National Centre for Research on Europe at the University of Canterbury, the Faculty of Arts, and the EU’s Jean Monnet Chair.

Conference Overview

The 2025 conference focused on geopolitical, socio-political, and cultural divisions in Europe and the Asia-Pacific, exploring the resurgence of East-West tensions in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and growing confrontations between China and Western democracies. Scholars examined how these divisions impact global governance, security, migration, and economic stability.

Key Highlights

Keynote Address

The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Dimitar Bechev (University of Oxford), titled Whither EU Enlargement? Reflections on the Union’s Expansion at a Time of War. His address examined the evolving EU integration process and how war, economic instability, and political stagnation influence future enlargement policies. His insights on alternative integration mechanisms for aspiring EU members sparked rigorous discussions.

Roundtable: The Future of Euro-Asian Divisions

A high-level roundtable discussion, chaired by Associate Professor Fengshi Wu (UNSW Sydney), debated whether a New Cold War is inevitable. Panelists included:

• Professor Emeritus Graeme Gill (University of Sydney)

• Professor Emeritus Leslie Holmes (University of Melbourne)

• Professor Martin Holland (University of Canterbury) The discussion centered on the shifting geopolitical landscape, the role of authoritarianism, and the evolving security architecture in Europe and the Indo-Pacific.

Diverse Panel Discussions

Conference panels covered a broad range of topics, including:

• Resurgent East-West Confrontations – Examining new geopolitical alignments and cultural conflicts.

• Post-Communist Authoritarianism – The evolution of governance models in Russia, China, and Central Asia.

• Migration and Identity – The movement of Eastern European migrants to the Asia-Pacific and their socio-political integration.

• Economic Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific – The role of Central Asia in global economic shifts.

• Media, Literature, and Language in Post-Communist Societies – The impact of soft power and cultural diplomacy in shaping political discourse.

Conference Achievements

1. Successful Merger Announcement: During the AACaPS Executive Committee Meeting, members voted to merge AACaPS and ANZSA into a new entity, Australasian Association for Euro-Asian Studies (AAEAS), marking a new chapter for regional scholarly collaboration.

2. Recognition of Distinguished Scholars: “Professors Graeme Gill and Leslie Holmes were formally nominated for ICCEES Distinguished Scholars Award.

3. Strategic Directions for Future Research: Plans were set in motion for the AAEAS Biennial Conference 2027, to be hosted at Australian National University (ANU), with Kirill Nourzhanov as the convenor.

Conclusion

The AACaPS-ANZSA 2025 Conference provided a critical platform for intellectual exchange, fostering new research collaborations and advancing scholarly debates on contemporary political, economic, and cultural challenges. The discussions underscored the increasing complexities in global politics and the need for interdisciplinary approaches to understanding shifting alliances and divisions.

We extend our gratitude to the organising committee, sponsors, and participants for making this conference a resounding success. 

We look forward to reconvening at ANU in 2027 for the next AAEAS Biennial Conference.

Report prepared by:
AACaPS-ANZSA 2025 Conference Organizing Committee