Secretariat

Libby Giles is the Director of the New Zealand Centre for Global Studies. She specialises in global citizenship education, which she sees as a key tool in response to global challenges and that sits at the heart of all the Centre’s kaupapa.

With a teaching and senior leadership background, Libby has a particular interest in whole school/organisation models that include strategic planning, community engagement, capacity building, formal and non-formal learning.  Her recent and current roles have provided a broad platform for support in policy and practice. 

Libby’s approach is centred on universal principles in the delivery of programmes that are context honouring and that empower learners to embrace opportunity with knowledge, skills, courage and responsibility. An active member of local, regional, and global networks, Libby is committed to growing an ecosystem that supports connected interests, capabilities and solutions, prioritising our Pacific region.  

Dr Ria Shibata earned her Masters degree in global studies from Sophia University, and Ph.D. in peace and conflict studies from the University of Otago, New Zealand.

She is the Centre’s first Senior Research Fellow, with the support of Toda Peace Institute (Tokyo). She is also a Visiting Scholar at the University of Auckland.

Her primary research interest is in conflict resolution and reconciliation in Northeast Asia with particular focus on the intricate aspects of national identity, historical memory, and competitive victimhood. One of her interests lies in understanding the way collective memories of historical traumas shape a group’s identity, often acting as impediments in restoring damaged relationships between the aggrieved and the aggressor.