World stage beckons for kaimahi

The past has caught up to Accommodation and Pastoral Support Officer Ingrid van Amsterdam in the most delightful way.

Ingrid, also owner/director/editor of BiograView, Perspectives from around the globe, has been invited to the 7th ABU (Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union) Media Summit and the T4P (Together for Peace) Media Awards in the Maldives this month (May 2023) after entering the awards under the category ‘Transformative Education’ with Kōrero and a kapu tea: Race Relations Commissioner Meng Foon on tackling prejudice in a pandemic, a story written for BiograView by Jennifer Little, and edited by Philippa Hadlow and Ingrid van Amsterdam.

“It wasn’t just that T4P really aligns with BiograView that I entered the awards but also to give myself a chance to be recognised for the work I have done with BiograView – as well as the blood, sweat, and tears! The fact that they sent me the invitation is that recognition and reward in itself and if there’s anything else that comes on top that will be a bonus of course,” she says.

The story entry is one of the last pieces written exclusively for BiograView, Perspectives from around the globe, which was initiated in 2019. BiograView embraces all ethnicities and cultures, and stands for peace within humanity, diversity and culture equality in education and the workplace. The magazine featured articles containing historical and current cultural references from New Zealand and around the world based on interviews, research, and life experience. The magazine is no longer produced as it fell prey to the flow-on effects of Covid-19 on the New Zealand economy.

Now the high-paced production of this voluminous publication has ceased and “the pressure is off”, Ingrid now looks forward to creating other products derived from its published works and continues to strive for the establishment of peace and cultural harmony within society.

The Summit is a two-day event and an opportunity to join high-level discussions on climate action and disaster prevention, and meet and exchange ideas with political leaders, representatives UN agencies and NGOs, climate change and disaster management experts, scientists and media. It will be concluded by the Gala Awards night: ABU/UNESCO T4P Media Awards. On the final day a journalism workshop will be held, themed in accordance with the Summit.

“It is such a privilege to be invited to this event and I am looking forward to interesting discussions and teachings.

“Now more than ever we need to work on the preservation of our beautiful planet. Transformation is possible, and I am certain we can look forward to a healthy world in which we can live together in peace and harmony with love and respect for one another if we put in the effort,” she says.