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Welcome to EIAS 
Podcasts 2005 Annual Report (pdf)  EIAS is supported by the European Commission DG External Relations Partners European
Alliance for Asian Studies (SOAS has
just joined the Alliance; see photo
of the signing)
Contemporary South Asia Click here for details Free Sample Issue Contact Us EIAS
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2006 News & Events Publication - 22 December 2006
Executive Summary of the 'Stocktaking
Study on the Implications for Europe of Asia's Demographic Changes'
The final version of the Main Report and the Executive Summary has been approved by the European Commission for release and is expected to be discussed at several meetings and consultations involving the European Commission, early in the next year. The authors would like to thank all the participants of the Brainstorming workshop at the European Commission on Oct 11, 2006 for their expert comments and helpful suggestions. Download the Report (pdf) Dr Willem van der Geest, EIAS, Brussels. Luncheon Briefing - 19 December 2006
China
and the Dutch Economy
19 December, 2006 from 13h00 – 14h30 Venue: European Institute for Asian Studies Updated with audio interview and photos Speakers: Dr. Wim Suyker, CPB Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis Dr. Henri de Groot, Department of Spatial Economics of Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam Chair: Dr. Willem van der Geest, Director, European Institute for Asian Studies The European Institute for Asian Studies (EIAS) is honoured to welcome Dr. Wim Suyker of the CPB Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis and Dr. Henri de Groot of the Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam to its premises for a discussion of their recent CPB report entitled “China and the Dutch Economy: Stylised Facts and Prospects”. Conference - 1/2 December 2006
International Conference on The EU’s
Relations with Taiwan and China
1-2 December 2006, Taipei The international conference at the Academia Sinica was organized
by the Institute of European and American Studies (Academia Sinica).
In five panels (The EU Model and Cross-Strait Relations; The EU Prospects
of Cross–Strait Relations; The Role of EU in Cross–Strait
Relations; Lessons of the EU Model for China; EU–China Relations
and Antidumping) the European and Taiwanese Scholars presented eleven
papers. Dr Sebastian Bersick had been invited to present a paper
on the topic of “The Role of Taiwan in the EU’s East
Asia Strategy”. Luncheon Briefing - 29 November 2006
The
Challenge of Corporate Social Responsibility in India
29 November, 2006 EIAS, Brussels from 12h30 – 14h30 Updated with audio interview and photos Speaker: Dr C.S. Venkata Ratnam, Director, International
Management Institute (IMI), New Delhi This March, the European Commission published a new communication on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) with the aim of making Europe a pole of excellence on CSR. In the context of our globalising world, faced with ever-increasing societal challenges such as how to achieve sustainable development, economic growth and social stability, engaging the corporate community outside the EU is of increasing importance. How can Europe work together with external partners to promote better corporate responsibility worldwide? Publication - 27 November 2006
The independent policy journal Europe’s
World was launched on 4 October 2005 by some 50 leading
European think tanks including EIAS. Published three times yearly,
it is the only pan-European publication that offers policymakers
and opinion-formers across Europe a platform for presenting ideas
and forging consensus on key issues. Our readers are drawn from politics,
government, business, the media, universities and NGOs.
Luncheon Briefing - 23 November 2006
Mongolia:
From Chinggis Khaan To ASEM
23 November, 2006, EIAS, Brussels - Updated with audio interview and photos On The Occasion Of The 800th Anniversary Of The Foundation Of The European Institute for Asian Studies (EIAS), in collaboration with the European Commission and the Mission of Mongolia to the European Union, is honoured to welcome a distinguished panel of speakers to its premises for a discussion and analysis of contemporary EU-Mongolia relations. Against the background of this year’s 800th anniversary of Mongolian statehood and the role that Chinggis Khaan has played in the Asia-Europe relationship, the Luncheon Briefing will focus on Mongolia’s external relations. The presentations of the seven panelists discussed Mongolia’s ongoing integration into the East Asian region and Mongolia’s new role as a participant in the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) process. Mongolian Cultural Evening Lecture - 20 November 2006
Dr Sebastian Bersick was been invited by the
Centre for East Asian Studies, University of Bristol, UK, to give a
lecture on the topic “The Impact of Soft Power on the EU’s
Relations with East Asia”. The lecture was been part of the Centre
for East Asian Studies Seminar Series 2006-2007. More
information
Luncheon Briefing - 15 November 2006
The
Taiwanese Economy and Cross-Strait Business
15 November, 2006 - Updated with photos and audio interview Speakers: Mr Guy Wittich, Chief Executive Officer, European Chamber
of Commerce Taipei The European Institute for Asian Studies (EIAS) is honoured to welcome Mr Guy Wittich and Mr Ralf Scheller of the European Chamber of Commerce Taipei (ECCT) to its premises for a discussion on the challenges and opportunities facing the Taiwanese economy and cross-Strait business. How will future political developments in Taiwan, both internally and vis-à-vis China, impact the status of the economy? To what extent will this effect European Business in greater China and the East Asian region? Conference - 8 November 2006
EU-Asia
Corporate Responsibility Research Agenda
8 November 2006 Venue: European Institute for Asian Studies - updated with photos and audio interviews The conference will be co-organised by the European Institute for Asian Studies (EIAS), the European Trade Union Institute (ETUI) and the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES). RELOCATION, OUTSOURCING AND ALTERNATIVES Inevitably the attitudes of employees to relocation and outsourcing will differ markedly across the different countries and sectors. What national development strategies and policies are best for achieving the mutually beneficial outcomes in advanced as well as developing countries? Conference - 30 - 31 October 2006
8th Europe-East Asia Think Tank Dialogue
30 - 31 October, Berlin Venue: Konrad Adenauer Foundation EIAS co-organised the 8th Europe-East Asia Think Tank Dialogue on the theme of Strenghening Regional and Inter-Regional Cooperation in Responding to rising Extremism and Resurging Nationalism. The Think Tank dialogue was co-organised by the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Regional Programme for South East Asia, the Institute for Strategic and Defence Analysis in Manilla with EIAS. The one-day Dialogue was attended by 34 leading analysts from across East Asia and the European Union. The programme also included a Public Forum on the theme of strengthening regional and inter-regional cooperation. The Keynote Address on “Asia-Europe Relations after ASEM in its 10th year” was delivered by Dr. Heinrich Kreft, the Foreign Policy Advisor to the CDU/CSU Parliamentary Group in the German Bundestag A Public Forum was co-chaired by Dr. Günter Rinsche, Member of the Board (Asian Affairs) Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung and Dr. Carolina G. Hernandez, Institute for Strategic and Development Studies, Philippines. Panellists included Ambassador Joern Keck, of EIAS offering A new perspective on EU-Japan relations and Dr. Willem van der Geest, EIAS analysing the new discourse for EU-China relations. Download the Pogramme Luncheon Briefing - 26 October 2006
Outlook
and Perspectives for Taiwan
26 October, 2006 from 13h00 – 14h30 - updated with audio interview and photos Speakers: Prof. June Teufel-Dreyer, Professor of
Political Science at the University of Miami The European Institute for Asian Studies is honoured to welcome
Prof. June Teufel-Dreyer and Dr. Gary J. Schmitt to its premises
to engage EU officials and analysts in a debate on the EU’s
'One China Policy', in the broader context of China’s political
and economic development and its increasing economic and military
capabilities. Under what circumstances would EU Member States re-assess
their policy-approaches towards Taiwan? The speakers are renowned
scholars who have publicly expressed their intellectual support for
Taiwan and the importance of ensuring the present ‘status quo’. Conference 10-11 October 2006
Regional Cooperation: Experience in
Europe and Practice in East Asia
10-11 October 2006, Beijing The international conference was organized by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung in cooperation with the China Institute for International Strategic Studies (CIISS). Dr Sebastian Bersick has been invited to present a paper on the topic of “Prospects of East Asian Cooperation”. Luncheon Briefing - 3 October 2006
East
Timor – Recent Political Developments
Tuesday, 3 October, 2006 from 12h00 – 13h30 Speaker: Mr Harold Moucho, Political Advisor to
the President of the National Parliament, Timor-Leste After gaining independence from Indonesia in 2002, East Timor is still faces major obstacles to development and the task of bringing about reconciliation amidst brewing unrest. Having successfully wound up its Mission of Support in East Timor (UNMISET) in 2005, the UN Security Council was prompted to set up a new non-military peacekeeping mission, the United Nations Integrated Mission in East Timor (UNMIT), in 2006 after violence re-erupted in late April. Clashes involving over a third of the armed forces, who were sacked earlier this year, led over 150,000 people to take refuge in makeshift camps. Prime Minister Alkatiri’s poor handling of the situation eventually forced his resignation and José Ramos-Horta, peace activist and Nobel laureate, was named Prime Minister in July. Workshop - 23-24 September 2006
China and the EU: the Building of
a Strategic Partnership
23-24 September 2006, Shanghai Dr Sebastian Bersick was invited to participate in this informal track-two meeting which was coorganized by the Centre for European Studies at Fudan University and the Shanghai Institute for European Studies. He presented a paper on the topic “Multiregionalism and multilateralism: EU-China relations in a global context”. The meeting focused on the following questions: What is the basis and scope of this partnership? How are the differences in values and in world perspectives affecting the shaping of such a partnership? How and how much do external factors like relations with the US, Russia etc. come into China-EU relations? What are the scopes and obstacles for the further development of the China-EU economic cooperation, for instance, in the fields of trade, investment, monetary and financial affairs, energy and environment? What are the approaches to raise the profile and improve the perception of each in the other? Conference - 22-23 September 2006
Prospects For China-EU-US Cooperation
on Strategic & Global Issues
Beijing -23 Sept 2006 The project aims to explore areas of consensus and differences on strategic issues; to assess whether the shifting power relations between the three polities can be moulded into strategic relationships jointly able to address global challenges; and to seek to establish common ground for policy recommendations on cooperation to the respective governments. Further to the high-level workshop/roundtable in Beijing on 22-23 September/2006 it is foreseen that round tables in Brussels and Washington will be held to examine the scope for tri-lateral cooperation on specific issues. At the workshop a framework for identifying the asymmetries and incompatibilities was developed, as well as a discussion of values, norms and preferences. The Round Table also identified a preliminary list of 15 issues of common interest, distinguishing between issues where immediate progress seemed feasible and those for which progress might be feasible in a medium term perspective. The initial Round Table was co-organised by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Institute for European Studies, Beijing with the Atlantic Council of the US, Washington DC and the European Institute for Asian Studies, Brussels Conference
Programme (pdf) Conference 21-22 September 2006
The World Forum on China Studies
21-22 September 2006, Shanghai The 2nd World Forum on China Studies dealt with China’s reemergence as a major world player and the implications for 1. China’s values and world norms, 2. China’s international role, 3. China’s assimilation with the world community and 4. China’s international image. Dr Sebastian Bersick participated in the panel on “China’s Peaceful Development and the International System” which was coorganised by the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences and the School of International Relations, Beijing University. Download the conference agenda (pdf) Luncheon Briefing - 19 September 2006
EU – India:
Pluralism and Diversity
19 September, 2006 - Updated with audio interview and photos Speaker: Mr. Ghulam Nabi Azad Chief Minister of
the Indian State of Jammu & Kashmir The European Institute for Asian Studies (EIAS) is honoured to welcome Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad, Chief Minister of the Indian State of Jammu & Kashmir to its premises to speak on the implications of the pluralism and diversity that characterises India as well as the EU. Special Briefing
EU-Asia
Relations: Perspectives of Political and Security Policy in a Global
Context
14 September, 2006 at the FES office, Rue du Taciturne 38, 1000 Brussels The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung and the European Institute for Asian Studies, on behalf of the European Alliance for Asian Studies, co-organised this event which brought together researchers from Asia and Europe, as well as representatives of the EU institutions. The participants discussed, inter alia, to what extent the concept of multiregionalism operates in the context of EU-Asian affairs and how this relationship can contribute to achieving European security objectives. In his key note address Mr. Hervé Jouanjean, Deputy Director General, European Commission, DG RELEX, focused on the growing need for intra-regional and inter-regional cooperation and its implications for EU-Asia cooperation. Download the programme (pdf) The workshop was followed by a public forum. Dr. Sebastian Bersick, Prof. Wim Stokhof and Dr. Paul van der Velde of the European Alliance of Asian Studies presented their latest book on ”Multiregionalism and Multilateralism: Asian-European Relations in a Global Context”. The following discussion was initiated by a keynote speech by Fan Weimin, Political Counsellor, Mission of the People’s Republic of China to the EU. Order the book herea> Luncheon Briefing - 11 September 2006
Global
Terrorism and Security
Monday, 11 September, 2006 from 13h00 – 14h30 EIAS, Brussels - Updated with photos and audio interview Speaker: Mr. Sachin Pilot, Member of Parliament, Congress Party, India Chair: Mr Malcolm Subhan, Vice-Chair, European Institute for Asian Studies The European Institute for Asian Studies (EIAS) is honoured to welcome
Mr Sachin Pilot to its premises to speak on global terrorism and
security on the fifth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Mr Pilot recently travelled with an Indian parliamentary delegation
to the U.S., where he had the opportunity to discuss inter alia with
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Deputy National Security
Adviser J.D. Crouch, the Council on Foreign Relations, the US India
Business Council, the National Endowment Conference - 7/8 September 2006
ASEM@10:
Connecting Civil Societies of Asia and Europe
7 and 8 September 2006 Parliament Building in Helsinki To mark 10 years of ASEM cooperation, various ASEM actors including representatives of governments, NGOs, the business sector, academia, the media and research institutes will gather in Helsinki for a dialogue on the ASEM process to date and possible ways to introduce added value to the cooperation in the future. The event will be based on a joint research project by Finland and Japan, entitled "ASEM in its Tenth Year: Looking Back, Looking Forward". The report examines the ASEM process and provides recommendations for future work. The research project was brought to a conclusion in March 2006 and the ASEM@10: Connecting Civil Societies of Asia and Europe is a continuation of the discussion that the report has generated. Forum 3-6 September 2006
Asia-Europe Peoples’ Forum 6
3-6 September, Helsinki Dr Sebastian Bersick participated as an observer at the forum and made a presentation on the topic “Inter-regionalism and the relationship between the Asia-Europe Meeting and the Asia-Europe Peoples’ Forum”. For more information visit the AEPF Website Luncheon Briefing - 31 August 2006
Trade
Unions
– The Missing Link in the ASEM Structure?
31 August, 2006 from 13h00 – 14h30 Speaker: Mr Guy Ryder, Secretary General, International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) Chair: Mr Dick Gupwell, Secretary General, European Institute for Asian Studies - Updated with audio interview and photos This September, Asian and European leaders will gather for the 6th ASEM Summit in Helsinki. Amongst the many topical issues for discussion, leaders will try to address questions relating to the Doha Development Agenda, globalisation, competitiveness and structural changes in the global economy. Is there a role for the ICFTU and other civil society actors in
an Asia-Europe dialogue on development, employment and labour issues? Eurasia Bulletin
EurAsia Bulletin Vol. 10 No. 5&6
May-June published
The May-June issue is now in print and features contributions from Chris Weeks on the structures of humanitarian aid delivery, Dr Greg Austin on the US-EU relationship with Iran, Glyn Ford, MEP, and Dr Soyoung Kwon on the propaganda and idealistic notions found in North Korean comics, Manual Schmitz on the process of nation building in East Timor, Malcom Subhan on how the EU-India Strategic Partnership should be developed and Dr Xiaokun Song on whether the EU integration model may have some resonance for China-Taiwan relations. There are full details of the activities of the EU institutions with regard to Asia and complete reports of recent EIAS meetings including the China policy of the EU newer Member States, local democracy in India and China, conflict resolution in Sri Lanka, civil society development in Asia and the process of the six party talks involving North Korea. Comments or suggestions? Please contact the Editor, John Quigley ASEF Lecture Tour - July 17-27 2006
Making Euro-Asian Soft Power in the
21st Century: Concepts, Constraints and Consequences
July 17-27 2006, Singapore, Manila, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta Dr Sebastian Bersick has been invited by the Asia-Europe Foundation (Singapore) on a Lecture Tour in Southeast Asia. From July 17 until July 27 Dr Bersick is making presentations in Singapore, the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. Parts of his lecture will be transmitted via video conference across East Asia to also include audiences in Mongolia and e.g. the ASEAN Secretariat. ASEF Lecture Tours are designed to provide a platform for emerging or well-established "leaders of opinion" of Asian and European civil societies to address an informed audience on issues pertaining to bridging the cultural and civilisational differences between Asia and Europe. Every year, ASEF's Intellectual Exchange Department selects three personalities from each region and organises a tour of the opposite region in partnership with host institutions in the respective countries. For more information on Dr Bersick's ASEF Lecture Tour 2006 as well as an abstract of his lecture please visit: The ASEF site. Further information will be provided soon. Conference 11/12 July 2006
EU-China:
Strategic Partnership Towards Developing Countries
11/12 July 2006, European Parliament, Brussels EIAS has co-organised this conference with the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung. Download the Draft Programme (pdf) - updated with photos Conference - 27/30 June 2006
European Conference on Modern South
Asian Studies
27-30 June 2006, Leiden, The Netherlands We have a number of papers from this conference, co-organised by the Institute for Asian Studies (IIAS, University of Leiden) and the European Association for South Asian Studies (EASAS): Political
Economy of Bangladesh (pdf) - A report of panel 47. The construction of wellbeing in Bangladesh:a micro-political analysis (pdf) - By Dr Joe Devine ANERI Workshop - 28-30 June 2006
First ANERI
Workshop
28-30 June, 2006 'Bringing together European research on Contemporary India' A public presentation of the Academic Network for European Research on India (ANERI) will take place at the19th European Conference on Modern South Asian Studies (ECMSAS). This international conference is organised by the European Association for South Asian Studies (EASAS) in collaboration with the International Institute for Asian Studies (IIAS) at the University of Leiden from 27 to 30th of June 2006. More Information The time for the plenary presentation is Wednesday evening 28th June from 19:00 to 20:30 at the Lipsius Biulding of the University. The plenary session will be an integral part of the Conference proceedings. Conference - 26/27 June 2006
EU-Asia Relations: Cooperation on
Regional Security and Integration
26-27 June, 2006, European Policy Centre, Brussels The European Policy Centre, Brussels, and the Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies (Singapore) co-organized an ASEF Work Shop titled “EU-Asia Relations-Cooperating on Regional Security and Integration”. The workshop brought together leading Asian and European scholars and academics to discuss Asian regional security issues, the state of play of regional integration as well as EU-Asia security co-operation in the framework of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM). Conference Agenda (pdf) How do Asia's main political and security actors define their interests
in Asian security? How do their bilateral relations shape and influence
the security environment in Asia? What are the EU's strategic interests
in Asia and how can the EU contribute to regional peace and security
more effectively? are some of the questions that have been addressed. Luncheon Briefing - 20 June 2006
Under
the Surface of the Six-Party Talks: Findings from Government Interviews
20 June, 2006 from 13h00 - 14h30 - Updated with audio interview and photo gallery Speaker: Dr John S. Park, Project Leader, North Korea Analysis Group, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University Chair: Dr Willem van der Geest, Director, European Institute for Asian Studies The North Korean nuclear crisis is a dominant factor in the insecurity perceptions held about Northeast Asia. Although the Six-Party Talks have served as a valuable mechanism for addressing critical issues, no substantial resolution has been found as yet. The parties to the talks all bring differing perspectives, objectives, priorities and approaches to the negotiating table, hindering any substantial breakthroughs or progress. Why? In order to gain a deeper understanding and perspective, diplomatic efforts to broker a solution need to be seen in the context of what goes on behind the scenes. The European Institute for Asian Studies is honoured to welcome Dr John S. Park to speak at its premises. Drawing on research interviews with Chinese, US, South Korean, North Korean, Japanese and Russian government policy advisers, working on their respective country's approach to a resolution, his presentation will provide insights into what has been occurring under the surface of the Six-Party Talks process. Lecture and Simulation - 15 June 2006
Lecture and Simulation
15 June, 2006 Clingendael, Netherlands Institute for International Relations, The Hague Dr Bersick has been invited to hold a lecture and to conduct a simulation on the Asia-Europe Meeting. In a first theoretical part he will concentrate on the functioning of the ASEM process. The afternoon session will deal with an interactive scenario exercise. This day-long meeting is part of a Course in Strategic Planning and Foreign Policy for Senior Diplomats from Indonesia. Publication - EurAsia Bulletin March/April 2006
EurAsia
Bulletin Vol. 10 No. 3&4 March-April published
The March-April issue is now in print and features contributions from Graham Watson, MEP, on efforts to build human rights in North Korea, Eneko Landaburu on the European Commission's activities in Burma, Khin Zaw Win on the plight of those suffering form HIV/AIDS in Burma, Professor Nicholas Stern on sustainable development and EU climate change policy (The inaugural Amartya Sen leacture) and Dr Sebastian Bersick on the role of the Asia-Europe Parliamentary Partnership in ASEM. There are full details of the activities of the EU institutions with regard to Asia and complete reports of recent EIAS meetings including on the Danish cartoon controversy, Japan's trade policy and aspects of Eu-China relations including the American dimension. The previous issue is now avaliable online. Past issues are archived here. Comments or suggestions? Please contact the Editor, John Quigley. Amartya Sen Lecture - Audio
Sustainable
Development, Climate Change and International Action We have a complete record of this event, including comments by Professor Amartya Sen and the Audience Q&A session avaliable as mp3 files. EIAS Podcasts
EIAS Podcasts
We are pleased to announce that we now host a podcast feed of interviews
with speakers and visitors to the Institute. You can subscribe to
the podcast feed by pasting the following link into your podcast
software: These interviews are also avaliable on our site, on the relevent meeting page and can be listened to with any mp3 player such as Windows Media Player, Winamp etc. Executive Training Programme
The
Executive Training Programme in Japan and Korea 2006 – 2007 - Deadline
1/7/06
The Executive Training Programme (ETP) is a unique tool designed to provide EU companies executives with the latest, most insightful and advanced knowledge of the Japanese and Korean economies. The 2006-07 programme has been designed by a consortium of internationally recognised universities, led by Sciences Po (Paris) in association with The School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS, University of London) (London), SDA Bocconi (Milan), Waseda (Tokyo) and Yonsei (Seoul). Conference - 9-11 June 2006
EU Enlargement and Global Political
Economy
9-11 June, 2006 Renmin University, Beijing The Center for European Studies at Renmin University of China and the Centre for Applied Policy Research of the University of Munich, Germany, organize this international conference. The main themes of the conference will include: (1) The enlargement and the EU institutional reform, (2) the enlargement and EU-China relations, (3) the enlargement and the Trans-Atlantic relations. Dr Sebastian Bersick has been invited to present a paper on the topic: “Strategic Impacts of the EU-Enlargement on EU-China Relations”. Luncheon Briefing - 1 June 2006
Conflict
Resolution in Sri Lanka: Forging a Multiparty Stakeholder Dialogue
on Peace Building
Thursday, 1 June, 2006 - Updated with audio and photos Speaker: Mr. Janaka Ranatunga, Deputy Director,
One-Text Initiative, Sri Lanka The European Institute for Asian Studies (EIAS) is honoured to welcome Mr. Janaka Ranatunga to its premises to discuss the situation in Sri Lanka and examine the status of peace building efforts. What opportunities and challenges exist for stakeholders wanting to forge a dialogue for peace? Can different narratives and positions be brought together to create a common approach to the Peace Process? Mr Ranatunga is Deputy Director of the Sri Lanka One-Text Initiative, a systematic process supporting Sri Lankan peace building by eliciting the underlying interests and needs of multiple parties and people, providing the space (physically and virtually) to jointly explore and develop options. The stakeholders of One Text are representatives from almost all political parties including the government party and the militant group, who are the main protagonists of the conflict, in addition to civil society organizations. All operational, content and policy matters of this Initiative are determined by the participating political parties, organizations and various citizens’ groups. One Text Initiative is the only multi party stakeholder dialogue on peace building at track two level in Sri Lanka. Presentation - 10/11 May 2006
China Business Congress 2006
10 - 11 May 2006 Finance Department of Universiteit Maastricht, Netherlands Currently, one of the most discussed topics on the global field of economics and business is the emergence of China into an influential economic superpower. The Chinese Business Congress will focus on the future impacts of events taking place in China and how these events influences the European and US market. Furthermore the investment opportunities in China for European investors shall be stressed from both theoretical and practical point of view. The congress will be a 2-day event and will attract approximately 200 students, academics and business people each day. At the end of the day a forum discussion will take place, so there is an opportunity to have an interactive discussion among the speakers and the audience. Helmut Schmidt, former chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, will be the key not speaker. The congress has previously been successful in attracting highly regarded international speakers like the Noble Laureate Harry Markovitz, Elroy Dimson, governor of the London Business School, Werner de Bondt and Norbert Walter, chief economist of Deutsche Bank. Dr Sebastian Bersick provided a presentation entitled "Living up to new realities: The EU's response to China's rise". Luncheon Briefing - 10 May 2006
Local
Democracy in India and China: Opportunities and Challenges
10 May, 2006 from 13h00 – 14h30 Speaker: Dr George Mathew, Director, Institute
of Social Sciences (ISS), Delhi The European Institute for Asian Studies (EIAS) is honoured to welcome Dr George Mathew to its premises to examine the development of local democracy in India and China. What opportunities and challenges exist for these two Asian giants as they strive to promote domestic development and reform? Can any comparisons be drawn or lessons gained from individual experiences? The Institute of Social Sciences is India’s leading research centre on panchayati raj, India’s system of elected local councils, and the impact this has on India’s social development, especially in rural areas. Its findings and recommendations are made available to members of decision-making organisations, such as government bodies, trade unions, people's organisations, corporate bodies and scientific communities, to encourage them to enlarge the options for action. Luncheon Briefing - 4 May 2006
China
Policy Competencies in New EU Member States
Thursday, 4 May, 2006 from 13h00 – 14h30 Speaker: H.E. Mr. Ksawery Burski, Former Ambassador,
Embassy of the Republic of Poland, Beijing The European Institute for Asian Studies (EIAS) is honoured to welcome H.E. Ambassador Ksawery Burski to its premises to examine China policy competencies in new EU Member States. To what extent are their policies and strategies convergent with those of the EU-15? Will their links with China and Russia contribute new dimensions to the EU’s partnership with China? Luncheon Briefing - 26 April 2006
China’s
Foreign Policy: An Exchange of Views
26 April, 2006 from 10:00 – 12:00 Speaker: Dr Ruan Zongze, Vice President, China
Institute of International Studies, Beijing As China continues its steady march towards economic development and prosperity, its role and responsibility as an influential player on the international stage has increased. Globalisation, growing interdependence, regional integration and new global challenges amongst others all affect China’s outward orientation and the formulation of its foreign policy. The manner in which China chooses to pursue its external relations will have major economic, political and security implications for the world, generating both opportunities and challenges. Yet what are the underlying strategic interests and objectives behind said policy? The European Institute for Asian Studies is honoured to welcome Dr Ruan Zongze to its premises for an exchange of views on the current status of Chinese foreign policy – the evolution, the rationale, the implications and consequences thereof. Conference Update
The
Burma/Myanmar Forum 2006
We have a number of presentations from this meeting online including a statement from Eneko Landaburu, Director General (External Relations), European Commission. Luncheon Briefing - 20 April 2006
China’s
Japan problem: Are We Headed for Confrontation?
Thursday, 20 April, 2006 from 13h00 – 14h30 Speaker: Dr Yang Jian, Senior Research Associate,
Asian Century Institute, London The emergence of a new strategic balance in Asia as a result of
China's rise looks set to create new pressures on Sino-Japanese relations.
Many Chinese analysts are pessimistic about relations in the medium
term, having discarded their hope that the bilateral relationship
would improve once the 'Yasukuni-obsessed prime minister' leaves
office in late 2006. With the possibility that an even more overtly
nationalist prime minister will succeed Koizumi, some in China expect
a decade of frequent frictions between the two countries. Presentation - 11 April 2006
On April 11, Dr Willem van der Geest presented
a lecture on EU's policy framework for East Asia in Athens at the Institute
for International Economic Relations.
Conference - 6-7 April 2006
Following up the request of the EU-Japan
2005 summit, a high-level symposium in Brussels examined
key agenda items ahead of the EU-Japan 2006 summit.
Dr van der Geest was co-chair and rapporteur on the second panel, focusing on cooperation in the field of energy saving and sustainable development. Read the report (pdf). Luncheon Briefing - 5 April 2006
Japanese
Trade Policy: Towards Economic Partnership?
5 April, 2006, EIAS Brussels - Speaker: Prof. Yorizumi Watanabe, Professor of
International Political Economy, Keio University, Japan East Asia is emerging as a dynamic regional entity – with economic integration producing high profitability and growth rates, the region is beginning to explore deepening ties within the framework of bi-lateral and multi-lateral FTAs. As an economic powerhouse and a key player in the region, Japan has a vested interested in shaping the future structure of the East Asian economy through a proactive trade policy that engages its regional counterparts. Yet, what are the opportunities and challenges for increased trade cooperation in the region? Will growing convergence in the economic sphere lead to increased dialogue? Or will increasing competition further exacerbate strategic rivalries? Updated with Podcast, Presentation and Photos Publication - Eurasia Bulletin
EurAsia Bulletin
EurAsia Bulletin Vol. 10 No. 1&2 January-February published EIAS is pleased to announce the publication of 10th volume of EurAsia Bulletin. In this issue, Graham Watson MEP considers the human rights situation in Cambodia and the role played by the European Parliament in helping to maintain a focus on the political situation. Dr Christophe Jaffrelot examines the nature of India-EU relationship and questions whether the EU is really committed to developing a Strategic Partnership with India. Norbert Palanovics identifies key issues in Japan's overseas devlopment aid programme and suggests that Japan's image will only get better once her relationship with China and South Korea improves. Malcolm Subhan examines the impact of Asian research and technology in Western society and wonders how this will affect India. There is news and analysis from the EU and from Asia with a comprehensive report of the activities of the EU Institutions. The issue also includes full reports of recent EIAS meetings including EU election Observation Missions, Japan-EU relations and notions of 'good' governance in Asia. The previous issue is now avaliable online. Comments or suggestions? Please contact the Editor, John Quigley Examination - 31 March 2006
 On
31 March Dr Willem van der Geest examined the PhD thesis of Ms Chris
Verschooten for the doctoral degree at the Katholieke Universiteit
Brussel.
The doctoral thesis examined the portrayal of the Dalits in Indian
media in recent years.
Luncheon Briefing - 28 March 2006
The EU-US-China
Strategic Grand Triangle: Wishful Thinking or Work in Progress? Speaker: Mr. Willem van Kemenade, China Analyst & Consultant,
Beijing Updated with presentation, podcast and photos The regional influence of the European Union, United States and People’s Republic of China has begun to take on a new dimension as the three powers engage in strategic dialogues and partnerships, which might eventually lead to an EU-US-China Strategic Grand Triangle. Will growing interdependence, new global challenges and the ‘Peaceful Rise’ of China lead to a shifting global balance of power? How can growing convergence and cooperation be managed in the face of increasing competition and strategic rivalries? The European Institute for Asian Studies (EIAS) is honoured to welcome Mr. Willem van Kemenade to its premises to examine the feasibility and implications of said EU-US-China Strategic Grand Triangle not only for the parties involved, but the international system at large. Conference - 26-27 March 2006
The
Burma/Myanmar Forum 2006
29 March, International Press Centre, Brussels The Forum is for officials from EU Governments and Institutions, representatives of interested government and non-governmental organizations, and members of civil society from Burma/Myanmar. The Forum will be addressed by Eneko Landaburu, Director General (External Relations), European Commission and a senior official from the United Nations. Presentations - 21-23 March 2006
Asian Economic Development and the European Union: Viewpoint
of the new EU Member States In 2006, Lithuania will mark the fifteenth aniversary of establishing diplomatic relations with China, the Republic of Korae and Japan. The groups for Inter-parliamentary Relations with the People's Republic of China; Republic of Korea and Japan have already been functioning for several terms of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania; the exchanges of parliamentary delegations have occured on several occasions. With the accession to the EU, Lithuania has found an opportunity to get actively involved in the Europe-Asia Dialogue within the ASEM framework. On the initiative of the Groups for Inter-parliamentary Cooperation with China, the Republic of Korea and Japan, the board of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania decided to hold a two-day international conference. Dr Willem van der Geest, Dr Sebastian Bersick and Joern Keck (a member effectif of EIAS) were invited to present reports to the conference. Dr van der Geest's Presentation: Flash/Shockwave or pdf Presentation - 20 March 2006
Course in International Relations and Diplomatic Practice Dr Bersick's presentation can be downloaded (pdf) Amartya Sen Lecture Series - 16 March 2006
Sustainable
Development, Climate Change and International Action Send feedback on this meeting. The inaugural lecture before an invited audience was on 16 March 2006 in the Charlemagne Building of the European Commission at six o'clock (Room S3 ground-floor). The lecture was given by Sir Nicholas Stern, who was introduced by Professor Amartya Sen. Following the lecture there was an opportunity for the audience to participate in the Q&A. The session was chaired by Prof Aubrey Silberston CBE, Professor Emeritus of Economics, Imperial College London, who was Amartya Sen's tutor at Cambridge University. Sir Nicholas Stern leads a major review of the Economics of Climate Change. The review is conducted jointly by the Cabinet Office and HM Treasury of the United Kingdom, and will report to the Prime Minister and Chancellor by Autumn 2006. The review has been requested to understand more comprehensively the nature of the economic challenges that climate change poses and how these can be met, in the UK and globally. This lecture will provide one of the first presentations of the initial findings of the ongoing review. EIAS and the Societies will continue to work with Professor Sen to ensure that future lectures in the series address major issues surrounding sustainable development and a number of leading thinkers on the subject have been approached. Conference Report - APEF
Asia-Europe People’s Forum (AEPF) Luncheon Briefing - 9 March 2006
Cartoons
and Freedoms - The Perspective of an Indonesian Editor
9 March, 2006 Speaker: Mr Endy M. Bayuni, Chief Editor of The Jakarta Post Chair: Dr. Willem van der Geest, Director, European Institute for Asian Studies, Brussels As the violent protests sparked by the publication of caricatures
depicting the prophet Muhammad begin to die down, a more fundamental
debate about the role and responsibility of the press in promoting
free speech wages on. The European Institute for Asian Studies is
honoured to welcome Mr Endy Bayuni to speak at its premises. Updated
with photos Presentation - 13/15 March
From Hanoi to Helsinki: Review of the Asia-Europe Peoples
Forum – Strenghtening the Social Aspects in the ASEM Process Dr Sebastian Bersick has been invited to present the paper “ASEM and AEPF: Review after 10 Years of Experience and the Way Ahead”. Download Dr Bersick's presentation as a Flash animation or pdf file. Presentation - 8 March 2006
The Governance of Continents: Regional
Integration, Globalisation and National Cohesion in Europe and Asia
8 March 2006 Italian Institute for Human Sciences, Florence Dr Sebastian Bersick has been invited to present the paper "ASEMetrics: The Rationale for Interregional Regime-Building". The workshop will concentrate on the relationships between national cohesion, regional integration processes in Europe and Asia and the globalisation process. The workshop will analyse the process of constitution and of development of ASEM, of its level of informality, and of its field of intervention, with the aim of explaining how the ASEM process can influence the level of integration of the areas concerned. Visiting Delegation - 7 March 2006
 The
European Institute for Asian Studies was honoured to welcome a distinguished
delegation from Pakistan to it premises on Tuesday, March 7th for a
roundtable discussion on the topic “Dialogue amongst Cultures”.
The Delegation consisted of:
Mr. Mohammad Ijaz ul Haq, Minister for Religious Affairs, Zakat & Ushr/
Member National Assembly Seminar - 3 March 2006
Developing
European Security Perspectives on China
3 March 2006, European Union Institute for Security Studies, Paris The seminar will deal with the transatlantic fallout over the arms embargo and the need for the European Union to develop its own security perspective on China. Questions that will be discussed by European and American participants are inter alia: Does the EU share Washington’s concern about China’s military modernization? What is the EU’s assessment of the security situation in the Far East and in particular in the Taiwanese Strait? Under which conditions, if at all, would the EU be prepared to remove the embargo? Dr Sebastian Bersick has been invited to participate in the seminar. Conference - 21 February 2006
Review
of Governance in Asia
A European Alliance for Asian Studies Conference 21 February, European Parliament, Brussels The European Institute for Asian Studies, in collaboration with the European Alliance for Asian Studies, and the sponsorship of Mr. Glyn Ford, MEP is organising its annual Asia Update conference entitled 'Governance in Asia' to take place in the European Parliament, Brussels on Tuesday February 21, 2006. The conference will bring together academic specialists associated with the Member Institutes of the Asia Alliance with a select group of MEPs, officials from the EU institutions and Asian representatives. Updated with Presentations and photos from the meeting Luncheon Briefing - 26 January 2006
10
Years of European Union Election Observation Missions to Asia:
Lessons Learned
Thursday, 26 January, 2006 from 13h00 - 14h30 Speaker: Mr Plamen Tonchev Head of Asia Unit, Institute of International Economic Relations (IIER), Athens Chair: Dr. Willem van der Geest, Director, European Institute for Asian Studies, Brussels Over the years, the EU has built up a reputation in the field of election observation as a fair and honest broker promoting transparency and international standards for democratic elections through its presence and reporting in a wide range of countries. European Union Election Observation Missions (EOMs) act as mechanisms through which to confer legitimacy on national political processes, contributing to the promotion of internal stability, the support for human rights, the rule of law and democratisation. Presentation - 20-21 January 2006
The Great Wall of China. How can Europe
get across?
20-21 January European Executive Council, Meeting in Brussels Dr. Sebastian Bersick has been invited as a guest speaker on the topic of 'Do we European's have a Strategy towards China?' The European Executive Council (EEC) is a circle of confidential exchange and reflection which gathers around thirty CEOs of non-European multinationals’ European HQs. The European Executive Council was founded in April 2000 as an informal forum where top European executives could confidentially exchange ideas and share solutions about common issues faced in Europe by non-European multinationals. Focus is laid on strategy, development, leadership and integration in a culturally diverse European market. The EEC also provides a structure that allows members and European personalities to exchange their vision of Europe’s future. Members have the opportunity to pass on the non-European multinationals’ key concerns. EurAsia Bulletin Published - 14th January 2006
EurAsia
Bulletin Vol. 9 No. 11&12 November-December 2005 published
This issue includes an analysis of developments inside Afghanistan since the Bonn Agreement and a review of the state of the Afghan-EU relationship, by H.E. Humayun Tandar. Simon Coveney MEP reports on a recent trip to Burma and Paulo Casaca MEP on the meeting of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Copenhagen. Dr Godelieve Quisthoudt-Rowohl MEP examines the nature of Europe's relationship with China as an emerging power focussing on trading links. Anne Coulon presents an overview of an EU development project in India on biogas. On North Korea, Aidan Foster Carter puts recent events into a strategic context while Dr Ravi Kumar looks at the political movements of the backward castes in Bihar. Simone Eysink examines the plight of Bumra and the effect the ongoing crisis is having on relations inside ASEAN. There is news and analysis from the EU and from Asia with a comprehensive report of the activities of the EU Institutions. The issue also includes full reports of recent EIAS meetings on China, East Asia, Aceh, Sri Lanka and the SAARC Summit. The previous issue is now avaliable online. Comments or suggestions? Please contact the Editor, John Quigley Culture 14 - January to 5 February 2006
From Beijing Back Home
Exhibition of oil paintings and graphic work Gerolf Van de Perre is a Belgian artist who lived for 3 years in Beijing. The inspiration for his work comes from the street life and the ongoing changes in Chinese contemporary society. In 2003 he published 2 graphic novels, Steenstof and Domweg dapper - more information. In the current exhibition he also shows some of the paintings from his "diary of a construction site". For more information: gerolf_vdp@skynet.be Communal Art Centre Special Briefing - 12 January 2006
The
Future of Japan-Europe Relations and their impact on the Security
Environment in East Asia
12 January, 2006, EIAS, Brussels from 15h00 – 16h20 Speaker: Prof. Akiko Yamanaka, Parliamentary Secretary
for Foreign Affairs, Japan The European Institute for Asian Studies is honoured to welcome Prof. Akiko Yamanaka, Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs, to its premises for a Briefing on the aforementioned issues. Prof. Yamanaka has a wealth of experience in both the political and academic field, enabling her to discuss security issues in the Asia-Pacific and their implications for Europe. Updated with Speech and photos |
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