BRNO GUITAR FESTIVAL
Czech Republic

MY VISIT TO PRAGUE

CHARLES DARWIN UNIVERSITY INTERNATIONAL GUITAR FESTIVAL

A VISIT TO THE ABORIGINAL LANDS OF KAKADU, NATIONAL PARK, AUSTRALIA.

Kakadu National Park is a commonwealth Reserve under the Environmental Protection and Bio-diversity Conservation Act 1999. Kakadu is a cultural landscape It was shaped by the spiritual ancestors of Aboriginal people during the Creation Time.

Asia Pacific Panel Discussion: "Some Reflections on Asia/Pacific on TIMES OF CRISIS AND HOPE."

Herringham Hall, Regent College, London,
Monday 20th April 2009 at 6.30 p.m.
By Invitation Only

Panel Members:

Professor J R Monroy, Founder and Chairman of the Latin American & Caribbean Cultural Society (LACCS).
Dr Kerry Brown, Senior Fellow, Asia Programme, Chatham House.
Professor Laixiang Sun, SOAS. University of London.

Abstract
Professor J R MONROY
Title: Some Reflection on Asia/Pacific on Times of Crisis an d hope.

First I explained my own concept of CRISIS which is an attempt to explained it together with the dialectical nature of the development of capitalism and its implications in the evolution of a society either primitive or modern. Some examples were given of how "crisis" in history find new stages of superior level.

Secondly this new social or economic order bring hope through communication and trade; with regard to the Pacific region which is two thirds of the population, I mentioned some disadvantages of the Pacific region for future association to free trade and political under- standing, amongst a variety of languages, customs, religions, and cultures.

In the second section of the paper I analysed how the Pacific South American countries faced the problem of the opening of the Pacific market and trade and their awakening to the world politics. I focussed on the strategic role of China, South East Asia, India and Australia New Zealand, as the main political and economic forces to be considered important for the future development of the Pacific South American countries.

I considered the case of Chile, as exceptional for its historical ties to the Pacific region, for its natural geo-political location in the map of the South American continent. I illustrated some samples in which Chile at the end of XVIII century was exploring the possibility of trade with Australia, and later by mid of 19th century, the Chilean trade with California and Australia, via Pacific, and the creation of the first South American merchant navy. Finally, the take over of the Eastern Island, considered the last natural resource of the Polynesia.

In summary I concluded that we do no be afraid of the concept of crisis, on the contrary we need to concentrate our thinking in positive experiences and learn from previous world crisis in the past, and specially concentrate our reflection in the future relations of Asia/Pacific and the Pacific Coast of Latin America, in which obviously Chile will play an strategic and valuable role.

Prof. J. R Monroy's Visit to CHILE December 2007

Prof. J. R Monroy, Founder and Chairman of the Latin American and Caribbean Cultural Society (LACCS), visited CHILE in December 2007 to explore ways of co-operation between LACCS and the Chilean Cultural and Educational institutions.

From last week of November to December 2007,Prof. J R Monroy visited several Chilean Universities to explore opportunities for co-operation, specially with Music Department and with special interest to develop the Chilean classical guitar.

An interesting proposal project were discussed with the Institute of Music of the Catholic University in Santiago, for 2009-2010. The basic idea was to create a join project for young musicians, to stimulate the learning of new repertoires for the classical guitar and string ensembles with special concerts and music activities abroad.

A visit to the University of La Serena, with Dra Catalina Cvitanic Abarca, Director of External Communication, agreed to promote LACCS activities to the students, and to explore future co-operations in join projects for young and gifted musicians.

Prof. J R Monroy was invited by the Department of External Communication, University of Bio Bio, Concepcion, to give a talk about LACCS's 25 Years Experience in the field of performing art, in England, and it was an opportunity to met some colleagues of the Music Department, of the University of Concepcion.

It was agreed that in a second visit in 2008, Prof. J R Monroy will give a Lecture in the subject of "The Praxis of the Music" and "Sociology of the Music". (Focussed in Latin America and Europe).

His visit was undoubtedly an experience to learn more about the Chilean musical education with regard to teaching and learning of classical guitar as well as its progress in the last decades, especially in the Northern and Southern regions of the country.

Prof. J R Monroy was warmly welcomed by Professors Alejandro Gallegos, Director of the Music Department, Fernando Lillo, in charge of the Chair of Classical Guitar at the University of Concepcion and Isabel Almeida, Chair of Guitar, at the University of Bio Bio. Finally, following the Chilean tradition to welcome the guest, he was invited to a lovely local restaurant on the border of Bio Bio River, to enjoy a selection of delicatessen prepared with local fishes, meat and aromatic wines. It was really a happy journey!

LACCS GUEST AT DIPLOMATIC CELEBRATIONS