Projects

All projects are run with the idea of having meaningful and measurable outcomes and continuity. Projects with context are more likely to create real interest and provide a good basis for actual understanding. Our idea is that every project should be worthy of its funding and be created in a way that creates further interest and a continuing relationship once our input is finished. Participants are guided in how to use intercultural relationships positively and respectfully, and therefore make a long term connection.

Traditional practices exchange

Practitioners of traditional arts and practices are connected to share their practices with each other. We pair suitable practices of both cultures and plan the project so meaningful sharing and interactions can take place. Possible projects could include:

  • Mau rākau and Budō (taiaha, kendō, jodō, iaidō)
  • Kapa haka and uta or odori (dance)
  • Taonga pūoro and shakuhachi or fue (music)
  • Raranga and himo (weaving)
  • Whakairo and chōkoku (carving)
  • etc

The pairing of traditional practices should have some shared philosophical aspect as well as a shared practical aspect to touch the hearts of participants as well as sharing skills and techniques. For example taiaha and jodō are similar in that they are both fighting arts with long wooden weapons, but further to this their core purpose is both to facilitate the journey to becoming a better person. It is the shared philosophy which creates the strongest bonds and promotes a relationship of shared experience rather than competition to see who is best.

 

Connecting organisations

Connections with schools, organisations or groups who are interested in long term relationships, sharing culture and interests are set up with the intention of equal sharing and mutual understanding. Organisations who share ideas and establish good connections create a much more stable and long term base for further relationships including business.

International business or other relationships which rely on the goodwill of either party are shown to be much more successful when the relationship is based on friendship and mutual trust and understanding.

 

Research

Setting up relationships between researchers, Universities or other organisations helps to share and build knowledge for the benefit of all. Research connections projects may facilitate cooperation from specific people who may be of assistance to a particular research aim, or create a general connection between groups who share the same aim.

We hope that this network of researchers and academics could form a wider network to continue to share and support research into traditional practices.