“Exploring New Zealand's
Opportunities in Different Industrial
Areas in Hungary”
- a PhD Proposal Presentation Adrienna Ember
PhD Student
National Centre for Research on Europe
6 May 2005
CONTENT
1.
2.
3.
4.
Proposal Summary
Some Interesting Data
Interactive Session
Your Questions/Comments
10-15 min.
10 min.
5-7 min.
10 min.
PROBLEM SETTING
 The decision making process of the enlarged EU
has become more complex - decisions once made,
will be harder to revise.
 Despite the EU’s diplomatic and economic
importance for NZ, NZ’s representation in the EU,
especially in the new member states, is minimal.
 The new EU member states have little immediate
interest in NZ’s situation: NZ might face
difficulties in reaching agreement on different kind
of exemptions at a larger EU-table.
ASSUMPTIONS
 A more intensive representation of NZ in different
sectors in Central and Eastern Europe would positively
enhance her diplomatic and trading goals in the EU.
 An exploration of NZ’s opportunities in Hungary in
different sectors could provide a good basis for similar
research in the other new member states.
 Hungary could act as a platform for further diplomacy
and trade extensions to the neighbouring countries (7)
and wider South-Eastern Europe.
PURPOSE OF RESEARCH
To explore the opportunities that may arise for NZ
across different sectors in Hungary (diplomacy,
trade, science, tourism, culture/sport, education,
migration policy).
To create more interest and awareness among
political and economic decision makers in both
countries.
To promote people-to-people relationships by
connecting project participants from both countries.
MAIN RESEARCH
QUESTION
What challenges and opportunities may arise for
NZ from the 5th (2004) and 6th (2007) EU
enlargements when deepening and broadening
her relationship with Hungary in different fields?
SUB-QUESTIONS
1. What are the main features of the relationships
between NZ and the EU?
2. What are the possible effects of the 5th (2004) and
6th(2007) EU enlargements on NZ?
3. What are the main features of Hungary’s political and
economic position and interests within and outside the
EU?
4. What are the areas of relationships between NZ and
Hungary?
5. What are the opportunities for and challenges to the
relationships between NZ and Hungary?
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
 Leading Theory: Theory of Intercultural Dialogue
 Theory of Liberal Intergovernmentalism & Multilevel
Governance (for EU-policy and institution development)
 Small State Theory (EU-NZ, EU-H, NZ-H relations)
 Theory of Global Political Economy (economic position
and international trade relationships)
 Theory of Business & Social Networks
THEORY OF INTERCULTURAL
DIALOGUE
“…(the EU) is a permanent exercise in intercultural dialogue.
The success of the European Integration is rooted in having
established a system of never-ending dialogue between
States that were previously used to confrontation.”
/Banús, E.: The EU: A Space for Intercultural Dialogue, EU-Commission Conference,
Brussels, 2002/
“…intercultural dialogue has the potential to counteract
economic and political dominance that manifest in current
global processes.”
/Bekemans, L.: Globalisation and Solidarity: Europe’s Duty in Intercultural Dialogue, EUCommission Conference, Brussels, 2002/
METHODOLOGY
 Type of Data: Qualitative & Quantitative
 Source: Statistics, official documents, publications,
governmental and other institutions, individuals involved in
business or other projects between NZ and Hungary
 Method of Data Collection: Literature Research, Semiformal Interviews, Correspondence, Questionnaires (for
Individuals, Business and Public or Non-profit org.)
 Method of Data Evaluation: Interpretational Analysis
2. SOME INTERESTING DATA:
Early Milestones of Cooperation
Source of Data: Mr. Don Walker, Ambassador to Hungary 1985-89
1983/84: NZ purchased Hungarian railway rolling stock –
Hungary took NZ exports to the same value (successful
counter-trade arrangement)
1984: Christchurch based Pyne Gould Guinnes started farm
projects in Hungary (wide range of products: from breeding
sheep to farm – equipment) on two very large state farms.
 1985-89: several Hungarian official visits at ministerial
level, various agricultural delegations
 HUNZAG Ltd. foundation in Budapest
 Promotion of valuable association with the Agricultural
University in Kaposvár (H),
 1989: NZ Agricultural Technology Field Days based on
the success of the two farm projects – ca. 1,000 guest
from H, Austria, Poland, ex-GDR, ex-Czechoslovakia,
USSR, Bulgaria.
 1990: NZ Diplomatic and Economic Mission to
Hungary, Germany, Poland & ex- Czechoslovakia.
2. Some Interesting Data:
Publications
 Publications in NZ about Hungary are less country
specific, more set within a general international context:
Economic-political transition in Eastern Europe after
1989, NATO Enlargement, Iraq – War, EU-Enlargement.
 Publications in Hungary about NZ are more country
specific:
Reform of the state fiscal policy in NZ, agricultural policy
as a good pattern, features of social security system,
behavioural patterns in business relations, tourist
destination.
Szirtes, A.:
NZ as the most developed
socialistic state system of our age
Some Hungarian Newspaper
Headlines
“NZ on Hungarian fields” (joint agro-project
1993)
“NZ as a good example for the Hungarian
agriculture” (1995)
“NZ offers a model” (1997)
“NZ without nuclear weapons” (1998)
“NZ in a woman’s hands” (1999)
“New Zealand: The EU is far away”
(Magyar Hirlap, 2002)
3. Interactive Session
Based on the movie “Being John Malkovich”:
“Being Adrienna Ember for 5 minutes”