A note from our DirectorLike many organisations in New Zealand, Latin America, and the wider world, the Latin America CAPE is paying close attention to the COVID-19 pandemic and how it will transform how we operate. In this Update you will see how we are already responding to the crisis with changes to how we deliver core programmes and projects. On our website, too, you can find pointers from our partners and other organisations on the virus’ effects on business with Latin America. One thing is clear: while international trade and travel will be disrupted for some time, the need for exporters to diversity their markets is more acute than ever. In this context, trans-Pacific collaboration not only remains a priority; as the flights taking Chinese medical supplies to South America through Auckland show, it can also take exciting new forms. Over the coming months we look forward to developing further innovations and to sharing them with you. For now, please keep safe. Matthew O'Meagher, Latin America CAPE Director Moving LAMA onlineOur Latin America Market Awareness (LAMA) courses target New Zealand businesses, particularly SMEs, to strengthen their Latin America market capability. Given the COVID-19 lockdown, we delivered a virtual, interactive half-day version of this workshop on 8 April - in collaboration with Export New Zealand and Dr Antje Fiedler of the University of Auckland. Participants from businesses in the Auckland and Bay of Plenty regions rated the online workshop as a great success. They particularly valued hearing experiences about gaining entry to LatAm markets and sharing insights about Latin America culture(s) and resources available to support SMEs. Our next online LAMA course will be delivered with the Nelson Tasman Chamber of Commerce as 2 half-day sessions on 26 and 28 May. Businesses from the Nelson & West Coast regions and the top of the South Island can register below. Dates for future online LAMA workshops will also be added in coming weeks. Young Professionals NetworkAs a further initial response to COVID-19, our work with the Latin America NZ Business Council (LANZBC) on creating the Young Professionals Network has also shifted to a digital space. The YPN has been created to provide a 'landing platform' for young New Zealanders returning from study or internships in Latin America to connect them and migrants from the region to New Zealand exporters. This peer-to-peer network will support the ongoing learning, knowledge exchange, and professional
development of those with experience or interested in Latin America. If you haven't yet joined the network and are interested, please sign up below. Reports on successful NZ exporters to Latin AmericaIf you’re already an exporter to Latin America or interested in expanding to the region, please see our new NZ Inc Competing Abroad – Case Report Series. The series features a market survey and six business case reports from University of Auckland academics that can help your company grow revenues in Latin America. In the reports, you will find analyses of real-world challenges, lessons, and insights about doing business in the region. The reports are free to download on our website. Teachers Stories: Teaching for the Asia-Pacific websiteLast year we promoted the CAPEs new Teaching for the Asia-Pacific website created by Te Whai Toi Tangata – The Institute of Professional Learning at the University of Waikato. The site aims to grow teachers’ understanding of global competence and provide high quality resources to support student learning about the Asia-Pacific region. We are now pleased to promote three new ‘Teacher Stories’ to provide teachers inspiration and insights on how to integrate Latin American content into their classrooms: Culture and Languages in the Classroom Pilot – a project at Victoria University of Wellington where five language assistants met with teachers and year 7 and 8 learners. Rays of Sound – a project delivered by researchers at Victoria University of Wellington that provides language-learning resources to New Zealand heritage language communities for the preservation of their first languages (Tagalog and Spanish). He Aputahi Taketake Partnerships – two teachers from Waikato Tainui share their experience of visiting the Araucanía region and Mapuche people of Chile as part of a delegation of indigenous education leaders. If you are new to the mailing list please see our past updates. If you are not on our mailing list and would like to be please sign up below. |