Kowiana association of New Zealand

Romano Isaia

What is Kowiana?

• Kowiana = Korean + Kiwiana• Formed in 2007.• Non-profit organization • Primarily composed of young Kiwi

adults of Korean decent • Celebrating and promoting awareness

of multicultural identity in Aotearoa New Zealand.

What do we do?

• Kimchi & Marmite Conference• Youth Empowerment Project• “We are here now”

(Kowiana’s community radio broadcast) • Community service projects• Website and Facebook as central

meeting point for Kowis

Kimchi & Marmite Conference

• In 2008, “Finding Kowi – What does it mean to be a Korean-Kiwi?”

• In 2009, “Kowis in Action – When Kowis take flight”

• In 2011, “Enquiring Kowis – Where are you from?”

in 2009 in 2011

Youth Empowerment Project

• A youth support system that is to be implemented in High Schools.

• In 2010– Epsom Girls’ Grammar – Rangitoto College

• In 2011– Kristin School–Westlake Girls High school

Youth Empowerment Project

“We are here now” (community radio)

• Started from 21 August 2011• 90 minutes programme aired every

Sunday evening on 104.6 FM• Provision of a communication

channel for Kowis in New Zealand• Since March 2012, approximately a

thousand audience rate per week, on average

Community Service Projects

• Encourage interaction with wider New Zealand society, such as group voluntary work in rest homes, hospitals, and Refugee Services Aotearoa, etc. – In 2012, we assisted the office of Ethics

Affairs in hosting the first Korean Youth Forum.

Website and Facebook as cen-tral meeting point for Kowis

• Discussion forums • “Sunbae – Hoobae” Mentoring

(i.e. peer mentoring)

• Contact point for preparation of and debriefing after conferences

How to find us?

• Website

http://www.kowiana.org.nz/

• Facebook search Kowiana Group Page on Facebook

Desired outcomes

• Connect young Kowis throughout New Zealand

• Establish understanding and pride in multi-cultural identity

• Foster multi-cultural awareness, communication

• Empower Kowis to become more effective global citizens

Why do we need an orga-nization like Kowiana?

Thank you