EIAS Projects
EU-China Youth Policy Dialogue
Capacity Building for the Promotion of Labour Rights for Vulnerable Groups of Workers in India
Understanding China
European Alliance for Asian Studies
Corporate Responsibility Research and on Corporate Social Responsibility information exchange
Capacity Building for the Promotion of Labour Rights for Vulnerable Groups of Workers in India
Understanding China
European Alliance for Asian Studies
Corporate Responsibility Research and on Corporate Social Responsibility information exchange
Europe China Academic Network (ECAN II)
Europe China Academic Network (ECAN I)
To set up the Academic Network for European Research related to India (ANERI)
Study on the Economics and Politics of East Asian Cooperation
Three-Year EC Framework Parnership
EU-India Network for Corporate Social Responsibility
EU-ASEAN Think Tank Dialogue Network
Taiwan-China Cross-Strait Relations: Conference Series
Europe China Academic Network (ECAN I)
To set up the Academic Network for European Research related to India (ANERI)
Study on the Economics and Politics of East Asian Cooperation
Three-Year EC Framework Parnership
EU-India Network for Corporate Social Responsibility
EU-ASEAN Think Tank Dialogue Network
Taiwan-China Cross-Strait Relations: Conference Series
Ongoing Projects
September 2011 - September 2012
Young people have an important stake in the future of EU-China Relations. The EU-China Youth Policy Dialogue will provide a platform for discussion and exchange of views between Young EU and Chinese citizens. The objective is to provide action plans and policy-recommendations to European and Chinese policy-makers, as well as other stakeholders, in the different fields prioritised by the project.
The EU-China Youth Policy Dialogue is a project of the European Youth in Action Programme, supported by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Education and Culture and the Guanghua Foundation. It is a collaborative project of the European Institute for Asian Studies and the Chinese Association for European Studies. Enhancing the understanding and promoting dialogue and further cooperation between young people in both China and the European Union, important issues at stake in the EU and in China will be tackled throughout different activities, which will run until August 2012. The EU-China Youth Policy Dialogue aims at bringing together young people with an interest in EU-China relations, while ensuring long-term cooperation and further engagement in discussions and dialogue on different levels.
For this project, three main events will take place. The first event will take place on 20-24 February, 2012, in Chengdu, China. This event will cover the topics Urbanisation, Social Policies and EU-China Relations.
The second event will cover the topics Climate Change, Environment, Sustainable Development and Youth Policy. This event shall take place in Brussels, Belgium, from 19-23 March 2012.
The third event concerns the Closing Ceremony of the EU-China Youth Policy Dialogue, in June 2012.
A Call for Papers, for participation in the two main Activities of the Project is open to Chinese and EU citizens between the age of 18 and 35, with an interest in EU-China relations. Participants for the activities will be selected by a Selection Committee on the basis of their paper (3-5 pages, Arial 10, single line space), written in English on one of the following topics.
Topics for the EU-China Youth Policy Dialogue in Chengdu: 20-24 February 2012
- Urbanisation and Social Policies (Education, Health, Social Security, Ageing Society, etc.);
- EU-China Relations;
Topics for the EU-China Youth Policy Dialogue in Brussels: 19-23 March 2012
- Climate Change, Environment and Sustainable Development;
- Youth Policy.
All papers should be submitted electronically to info@euchinayouth.eu, together with a CV and the application form, no later than 8 December 2011.
Visit the Website Project:
http://euchinayouth.eu
Young people have an important stake in the future of EU-China Relations. The EU-China Youth Policy Dialogue will provide a platform for discussion and exchange of views between Young EU and Chinese citizens. The objective is to provide action plans and policy-recommendations to European and Chinese policy-makers, as well as other stakeholders, in the different fields prioritised by the project. The EU-China Youth Policy Dialogue is a project of the European Youth in Action Programme, supported by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Education and Culture and the Guanghua Foundation. It is a collaborative project of the European Institute for Asian Studies and the Chinese Association for European Studies. Enhancing the understanding and promoting dialogue and further cooperation between young people in both China and the European Union, important issues at stake in the EU and in China will be tackled throughout different activities, which will run until August 2012. The EU-China Youth Policy Dialogue aims at bringing together young people with an interest in EU-China relations, while ensuring long-term cooperation and further engagement in discussions and dialogue on different levels.
For this project, three main events will take place. The first event will take place on 20-24 February, 2012, in Chengdu, China. This event will cover the topics Urbanisation, Social Policies and EU-China Relations.
The second event will cover the topics Climate Change, Environment, Sustainable Development and Youth Policy. This event shall take place in Brussels, Belgium, from 19-23 March 2012.
The third event concerns the Closing Ceremony of the EU-China Youth Policy Dialogue, in June 2012.
A Call for Papers, for participation in the two main Activities of the Project is open to Chinese and EU citizens between the age of 18 and 35, with an interest in EU-China relations. Participants for the activities will be selected by a Selection Committee on the basis of their paper (3-5 pages, Arial 10, single line space), written in English on one of the following topics.
Topics for the EU-China Youth Policy Dialogue in Chengdu: 20-24 February 2012
- Urbanisation and Social Policies (Education, Health, Social Security, Ageing Society, etc.);
- EU-China Relations;
Topics for the EU-China Youth Policy Dialogue in Brussels: 19-23 March 2012
- Climate Change, Environment and Sustainable Development;
- Youth Policy.
All papers should be submitted electronically to info@euchinayouth.eu, together with a CV and the application form, no later than 8 December 2011.
Visit the Website Project:
http://euchinayouth.eu
From January 2011 onward
Internationally recognised core labour standards have been increasingly accepted as an important feature in the overall respect for human rights (ref. UN World Summit for Social Development, Copenhagen, 1995 and ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights of Work, 1998).
The EU supports this principle and has made respect for core ILO standards a part of its negotiating position with regard to the EU-India FTA negotiations.
India faces a huge challenge in monitoring and enforcing these standards however, particularly in the informal economy. Frequently, workers do not have the capacity to address human rights abuses and discrimination (especially migrants, contract workers, workers from marginalised communities and women). Moreover, while there is a long tradition of free trade unions in India, the rate of unionized workers is low, particularly in the huge informal economy, where employers often prevent workers from unionising. In addition, considerable discrimination remains among certain social castes, who are often employed in exploitative jobs.
The project proposes three specific interventions in several locations in India:
1) Production of a handbook for Panchayats on training and advocacy activities for the promotion of human and labour rights for migrant and contract workers at local level;
2) Capacity building for the effective functioning of Workers’ Service Centres for unorganised workers in several locations;
3) Training programmes for labour representatives, business managers and local government officials jointly to promote sustainable development within the local community.
The overall objective of these activities is to develop the capacity of vulnerable groups of workers effectively to access basic labour rights in India’s labour markets.
The specific problems to be addressed by the actions include the following:
1. Deficiencies in existing labour legislation and lack of capacity of Panchayats to deal with labour rights abuses in their area of jurisdiction (trafficking of workers, and unjust treatment of workers, with particular focus on the exploitation of migrant workers).
2. Lack of capacity by individual workers and groups of workers and their representatives (particularly in the informal economy) to recognise, take action and address deficiencies in the implementation of their basic rights.
3. Lack of capacity and of cooperation by employers, managers and other stakeholders to identify and deal with issues related to organisational management, sustainable development, and labour rights in their respective areas of work.
Since 2007, the European Institute for Asian Studies (EIAS) has been working with the Indian Labour Research Network (ILRN) to identify the main issues relating to the lack of respect for core labour standards in India and to consider what could be done to improve the capacities of trade unions and other civil society organisations to monitor such violations and redress such abuses.
This resulted in a Workshop, jointly organised between EIAS and ILRN and hosted by the Institute for Social Sciences in Delhi, on 22-23 September 2009, on “Capacity Building to Monitor the Labour Market, Employment and Policies for Sustainable Development, in relation to Trade and Economic Cooperation between India and Europe”.
The project will be carried out over a period of 3 years, from january 2011 onwards.
EIAS is a major partner in the consortium involved in this project, which is led by the Institute of Social Science (ISS) in Dehli. Other partners include:
Maniben-Kara Labour Institute; MKI (Mumbai),
the Ambekar Institute for Labour Studies; AILS (Mumbai);
Xavier Labour Relations Institute (Jamshedpur) (XLRI)
Some of our partners are currently establishing Workers’ service centres or have already done so with local trade unions in several locations across India. These service centres are (or will) be funded by the local unions and associated organisations for the purpose of reaching out to the unorganised workers to inform about rights and decent work.
Visit the Website for the Project
Internationally recognised core labour standards have been increasingly accepted as an important feature in the overall respect for human rights (ref. UN World Summit for Social Development, Copenhagen, 1995 and ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights of Work, 1998).
The EU supports this principle and has made respect for core ILO standards a part of its negotiating position with regard to the EU-India FTA negotiations.
India faces a huge challenge in monitoring and enforcing these standards however, particularly in the informal economy. Frequently, workers do not have the capacity to address human rights abuses and discrimination (especially migrants, contract workers, workers from marginalised communities and women). Moreover, while there is a long tradition of free trade unions in India, the rate of unionized workers is low, particularly in the huge informal economy, where employers often prevent workers from unionising. In addition, considerable discrimination remains among certain social castes, who are often employed in exploitative jobs.
The project proposes three specific interventions in several locations in India:
1) Production of a handbook for Panchayats on training and advocacy activities for the promotion of human and labour rights for migrant and contract workers at local level;
2) Capacity building for the effective functioning of Workers’ Service Centres for unorganised workers in several locations;
3) Training programmes for labour representatives, business managers and local government officials jointly to promote sustainable development within the local community.
The overall objective of these activities is to develop the capacity of vulnerable groups of workers effectively to access basic labour rights in India’s labour markets.
The specific problems to be addressed by the actions include the following:
1. Deficiencies in existing labour legislation and lack of capacity of Panchayats to deal with labour rights abuses in their area of jurisdiction (trafficking of workers, and unjust treatment of workers, with particular focus on the exploitation of migrant workers).
2. Lack of capacity by individual workers and groups of workers and their representatives (particularly in the informal economy) to recognise, take action and address deficiencies in the implementation of their basic rights.
3. Lack of capacity and of cooperation by employers, managers and other stakeholders to identify and deal with issues related to organisational management, sustainable development, and labour rights in their respective areas of work.
Since 2007, the European Institute for Asian Studies (EIAS) has been working with the Indian Labour Research Network (ILRN) to identify the main issues relating to the lack of respect for core labour standards in India and to consider what could be done to improve the capacities of trade unions and other civil society organisations to monitor such violations and redress such abuses.
This resulted in a Workshop, jointly organised between EIAS and ILRN and hosted by the Institute for Social Sciences in Delhi, on 22-23 September 2009, on “Capacity Building to Monitor the Labour Market, Employment and Policies for Sustainable Development, in relation to Trade and Economic Cooperation between India and Europe”.
The project will be carried out over a period of 3 years, from january 2011 onwards.
EIAS is a major partner in the consortium involved in this project, which is led by the Institute of Social Science (ISS) in Dehli. Other partners include:
Maniben-Kara Labour Institute; MKI (Mumbai),
the Ambekar Institute for Labour Studies; AILS (Mumbai);
Xavier Labour Relations Institute (Jamshedpur) (XLRI)
Some of our partners are currently establishing Workers’ service centres or have already done so with local trade unions in several locations across India. These service centres are (or will) be funded by the local unions and associated organisations for the purpose of reaching out to the unorganised workers to inform about rights and decent work.
Visit the Website for the Project
From 2009 until mid 2012
The European Institute for Asian Studies is one of the Knowledge Partners in the "Understanding China" Programme.
China is one of the largest and most challenging economies in the world. It represents a huge economic potential, but also poses a number of difficulties for EU businesses - especially SMEs - trying to enter the market. A better knowledge and greater understanding of China are crucial to increasing Europe's competitiveness and enhancing Europeans' capacity to take advantage of the potential of its market.
Understanding China addresses these needs by creating a new business dialogue on China-related issues.
The ultimate goal of the Understanding China programme is to improve the knowledge on China in European businesses, especially SMEs. A range of tools has been developed to achieve this goal as effectively and widely as possible.
-Training Programme: A strongly targeted and specialised training programme for business representatives: This 'train the trainers' approach will ensure that its impact is multiplied as widely as possible and that a large number of companies will benefit from higher quality services and up-to-date information from their business organisations.
-Policy Dialogue: Encouraging policy dialogue between key stakeholders from business, academia and politics is important to foster an ongoing debate and a wide and varied exchange of views and experience.
-China Advisory Council (CAC): The CAC is an advisory body to the European Commission on economic policy vis-à-vis China. Each of the 17 members of the CAC brings along several years of business experience on China.
-China Ideas Community: The China Ideas Community allows users to post comments and articles on issues covered by the Understanding China programme. Forum users can react to and rate other people’s posts, and receive email alerts on contributions in which they are active. The China Ideas Community also offers an opportunity for users to share their research on China and related issues.
-SME Roundtables: These roundtables which give the SMEs the opportunity to engage in dialogue with representatives of academia, policy makers, business representatives and other key stakeholders to propose policy recommendations and address on important matters concerning European business in China.
A consortium of leading European business organisations, academia and think tanks has developed the programme and is responsible for its implementation.
The Understanding China programme will run for 3.5 years until mid 2012 and is co-funded by the European Commission.
Click here to go to Understanding China website.
The European Institute for Asian Studies is one of the Knowledge Partners in the "Understanding China" Programme.
China is one of the largest and most challenging economies in the world. It represents a huge economic potential, but also poses a number of difficulties for EU businesses - especially SMEs - trying to enter the market. A better knowledge and greater understanding of China are crucial to increasing Europe's competitiveness and enhancing Europeans' capacity to take advantage of the potential of its market.
Understanding China addresses these needs by creating a new business dialogue on China-related issues.
The ultimate goal of the Understanding China programme is to improve the knowledge on China in European businesses, especially SMEs. A range of tools has been developed to achieve this goal as effectively and widely as possible.
-Training Programme: A strongly targeted and specialised training programme for business representatives: This 'train the trainers' approach will ensure that its impact is multiplied as widely as possible and that a large number of companies will benefit from higher quality services and up-to-date information from their business organisations.
-Policy Dialogue: Encouraging policy dialogue between key stakeholders from business, academia and politics is important to foster an ongoing debate and a wide and varied exchange of views and experience.
-China Advisory Council (CAC): The CAC is an advisory body to the European Commission on economic policy vis-à-vis China. Each of the 17 members of the CAC brings along several years of business experience on China.
-China Ideas Community: The China Ideas Community allows users to post comments and articles on issues covered by the Understanding China programme. Forum users can react to and rate other people’s posts, and receive email alerts on contributions in which they are active. The China Ideas Community also offers an opportunity for users to share their research on China and related issues.
-SME Roundtables: These roundtables which give the SMEs the opportunity to engage in dialogue with representatives of academia, policy makers, business representatives and other key stakeholders to propose policy recommendations and address on important matters concerning European business in China.
A consortium of leading European business organisations, academia and think tanks has developed the programme and is responsible for its implementation.
The Understanding China programme will run for 3.5 years until mid 2012 and is co-funded by the European Commission.
Click here to go to Understanding China website.
EIAS is a key members of the European Alliance for Asian Studies, a co-operative framework of European institutes specialising in the study of Asia.
The Alliance, established in 1997, aims to bring together fragmented forces in Asian Studies in Europe to facilitate scholarly excellence to the benefit of the respective national research environments.
An important part of the work of the Alliance is to encourage closer scholarly contacts within Europe and beyond by sponsoring conferences and workshops. Collaborative research programmes are set up to stimulate academic mobility, to increase interaction between scholars studying Asia, and make it possible for the Alliance members to draw on high-level international expertise.
Together with the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) in Singapore, the European Alliance for Asian Studies organises a yearly call for workshop proposals. The so-called Asia-Europe Workshop Series is a way to stimulate innovative research on contemporary topics of interregional and multilateral importance to both Asia and Europe.
Also in the Alliance are:
International Institute for Asian Studies (IIAS), Leiden/Amsterdam
Institute of Asian Affairs (IFA), Hamburg, Germany
Nordic Institute of Asian Studies (NIAS), Copenhagen, Denmark
Asia Europe Centre (AEC), Paris, France
Centro de Estudios de Asia Oriental (CEAO; Centre for East Asian Studies), Madrid, Spain
School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), UK
Click here to go the Asia-Alliance website.
The Alliance, established in 1997, aims to bring together fragmented forces in Asian Studies in Europe to facilitate scholarly excellence to the benefit of the respective national research environments.
An important part of the work of the Alliance is to encourage closer scholarly contacts within Europe and beyond by sponsoring conferences and workshops. Collaborative research programmes are set up to stimulate academic mobility, to increase interaction between scholars studying Asia, and make it possible for the Alliance members to draw on high-level international expertise.
Together with the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) in Singapore, the European Alliance for Asian Studies organises a yearly call for workshop proposals. The so-called Asia-Europe Workshop Series is a way to stimulate innovative research on contemporary topics of interregional and multilateral importance to both Asia and Europe.
Also in the Alliance are:
International Institute for Asian Studies (IIAS), Leiden/Amsterdam
Institute of Asian Affairs (IFA), Hamburg, Germany
Nordic Institute of Asian Studies (NIAS), Copenhagen, Denmark
Asia Europe Centre (AEC), Paris, France
Centro de Estudios de Asia Oriental (CEAO; Centre for East Asian Studies), Madrid, Spain
School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), UK
Click here to go the Asia-Alliance website.
EIAS Activities on Corporate Responsibility Research and on Corporate Social Responsibility information exchange
Since 1994
The European Commission recognises the international dimension of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities and is determined to “continue to promote CSR globally”. European Union (EU) enterprises and Asian based companies operate in a number of countries and continents and their CSR performance is therefore dependent upon the conditions which they face in different countries and cultures.
Management practices and national legislations differ, and international standards are differently applied, if at all. Given the stated ambition of the EU to promote international standards in respect of environment, health and safety, and labour relations as regards trade and investment, it is important to encourage companies in both Asia and Europe to share their experiences of CSR activities contributing to sustainable social and economic developments at home and in host countries alike.
Business itself has identified risks involved in the globalisation of production, trade and finance. For business there is an Image risk / risk for brand value, Risks for turn over (in case of an environmental or labour-related campaign) Contingency risks (the loss of a supplier makes it difficult to maintain production) Quality risks Sustainable, responsible management is also closely linked to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Poverty eradication, gender equality and environmental sustainability are some of the goals that cannot be reached without the collaboration of companies and trade unions. This was clearly stated during the Johannesburg Summit on Sustainability. Business is of vital importance to meet these goals.
Thes activities aim to connect enterprises with different stakeholders in Asia and, as appropriate, in Europe, including investors (particularly SRI investors and pension funds); banks; relevant local communities, employees and trade unions; government agencies and others concerned with the environment, consumer health and safety and labour protection, and also civil society organizations helping children, the handicapped, the poor, people facing exclusion from the labour market in need of jobs and incomes - not handouts.
Current research on CSR indicates many different approaches to the subject. However, best practices need to be presented in a manner that could inspire others, both companies and their stakeholders, to undertake improvements.
The EIAS CSR project has three components:
1) compiling a database on CSR;
2) stimulating an exchange of information about activities and best practices, and
3) making this database available to university-based management courses to sustain credible analyses of CSR activities and the inclusion of stakeholders’ views.
Combining the creation of a database and providing an opportunity to exchange of information on CSR activities, EIAS has arranged a series of meetings:
1) Development strategies in the ASEAN, FTAs and business investments in support of national development strategies;
2) Research on Corporate Responsibility, i.e. business invest-ments in sustainable development in view of practices of outsourcing and to promote innovation in combination with industrialisation and job creation;
3)Developments of CSR activities in Indian businesses;
4) Linking Social Responsible Investment and CSR activities of Small and Medium sized Enterprises in Asia;
The European Commission recognises the international dimension of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities and is determined to “continue to promote CSR globally”. European Union (EU) enterprises and Asian based companies operate in a number of countries and continents and their CSR performance is therefore dependent upon the conditions which they face in different countries and cultures.
Management practices and national legislations differ, and international standards are differently applied, if at all. Given the stated ambition of the EU to promote international standards in respect of environment, health and safety, and labour relations as regards trade and investment, it is important to encourage companies in both Asia and Europe to share their experiences of CSR activities contributing to sustainable social and economic developments at home and in host countries alike.
Business itself has identified risks involved in the globalisation of production, trade and finance. For business there is an Image risk / risk for brand value, Risks for turn over (in case of an environmental or labour-related campaign) Contingency risks (the loss of a supplier makes it difficult to maintain production) Quality risks Sustainable, responsible management is also closely linked to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Poverty eradication, gender equality and environmental sustainability are some of the goals that cannot be reached without the collaboration of companies and trade unions. This was clearly stated during the Johannesburg Summit on Sustainability. Business is of vital importance to meet these goals.
Thes activities aim to connect enterprises with different stakeholders in Asia and, as appropriate, in Europe, including investors (particularly SRI investors and pension funds); banks; relevant local communities, employees and trade unions; government agencies and others concerned with the environment, consumer health and safety and labour protection, and also civil society organizations helping children, the handicapped, the poor, people facing exclusion from the labour market in need of jobs and incomes - not handouts.
Current research on CSR indicates many different approaches to the subject. However, best practices need to be presented in a manner that could inspire others, both companies and their stakeholders, to undertake improvements.
The EIAS CSR project has three components:
1) compiling a database on CSR;
2) stimulating an exchange of information about activities and best practices, and
3) making this database available to university-based management courses to sustain credible analyses of CSR activities and the inclusion of stakeholders’ views.
Combining the creation of a database and providing an opportunity to exchange of information on CSR activities, EIAS has arranged a series of meetings:
1) Development strategies in the ASEAN, FTAs and business investments in support of national development strategies;
2) Research on Corporate Responsibility, i.e. business invest-ments in sustainable development in view of practices of outsourcing and to promote innovation in combination with industrialisation and job creation;
3)Developments of CSR activities in Indian businesses;
4) Linking Social Responsible Investment and CSR activities of Small and Medium sized Enterprises in Asia;
Previous Projects
Europe China Academic Network (ECAN II): Monitoring and assessing implications of China’s economic rise for the EU and assisting in the updating and articulation of the EU Agenda for the EU-China Relationship
2007
This is Phase II of the European Commission initiated the Europe-China Academic Network (ECAN) as a mechanism for promoting EU-China knowledge and research within Europe. In Phase II, the continuation of fostering closer cooperation between scattered European research institutions and sources of information available within the field of contemporary China studies. ECAN has provided an opportunity and forum for China experts within Europe to pool and exchange information and resources with each other and with policy-making officials.
Continuation of ECAN Policy Analysis Workshops, providing an opportunity for EU officials to discuss in-depth political and economic developments which are likely to become important shaping factors, perhaps stumbling blocks, for EU-China relations during the period covered by the recent EU-China Communication. Continuation of ECAN Policy Briefs providing an opportunity for EU officials to discuss in-depth political and economic developments which are likely to become important shaping factors, perhaps stumbling blocks, for EU-China relations during the period covered by the recent EU-China Communication. A major ECAN Annual Conference With its theme “China After The Party Congress”, brought together the research and policy-making communities from across the globe to create an environment for informed input and exchange on EU-China relations.
Partners in the Consortium included the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), the Asia Research Centre (CBS), the Institute for East Asian Studies, University of Duisburg-Essen and the Centre Asie (Institut Français des Relations Internationales-IFRI).
This is Phase II of the European Commission initiated the Europe-China Academic Network (ECAN) as a mechanism for promoting EU-China knowledge and research within Europe. In Phase II, the continuation of fostering closer cooperation between scattered European research institutions and sources of information available within the field of contemporary China studies. ECAN has provided an opportunity and forum for China experts within Europe to pool and exchange information and resources with each other and with policy-making officials.
Continuation of ECAN Policy Analysis Workshops, providing an opportunity for EU officials to discuss in-depth political and economic developments which are likely to become important shaping factors, perhaps stumbling blocks, for EU-China relations during the period covered by the recent EU-China Communication. Continuation of ECAN Policy Briefs providing an opportunity for EU officials to discuss in-depth political and economic developments which are likely to become important shaping factors, perhaps stumbling blocks, for EU-China relations during the period covered by the recent EU-China Communication. A major ECAN Annual Conference With its theme “China After The Party Congress”, brought together the research and policy-making communities from across the globe to create an environment for informed input and exchange on EU-China relations.
Partners in the Consortium included the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), the Asia Research Centre (CBS), the Institute for East Asian Studies, University of Duisburg-Essen and the Centre Asie (Institut Français des Relations Internationales-IFRI).
Europe China Academic Network (ECAN I): Monitoring and assessing implications of China’s economic rise for the EU and assisting in the updating and articulation of the EU Agenda for the EU-China Relationship
2006
The European Commission initiated the Europe-China Academic Network (ECAN) as a mechanism for promoting EU-China knowledge and research within Europe. ECAN has the overall objective of fostering closer cooperation between scattered European research institutions within the field of Contemporary China Studies, in order to help define the European Commission’s cooperation strategy and future policy with regard to China. An expert team from EIAS was implementing the Network and an ECAN Advisory Board, including senior experts from several leading European institutions, generates a ‘peer-review’ of the choices and directions of the ECAN Network, helping to ensure the efficient running and sustainability of the network.
ECAN Policy Analysis Workshops, organised by the EIAS team for the Commission, provided an opportunity for EU officials to discuss in-depth political and economic developments which are likely to become important shaping factors, perhaps stumbling blocks, for EU-China relations during the period of the forthcoming EU-China communication. Experts are brought in from across Europe to present topical and concise Briefing Papers to the Commission. Furthermore, the ECAN Annual Network Meeting, a one-day international conference is a forum for revised versions of the Briefing Papers to be presented as well as several keynote addresses from leading officials and prominent scholars.
Partners in the Consortium included the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), the Asia Research Centre (CBS), the Institute for East Asian Studies, University of Duisburg-Essen and the Centre Asie (Institut Français des Relations Internationales-IFRI).
For More Information, Click here
The European Commission initiated the Europe-China Academic Network (ECAN) as a mechanism for promoting EU-China knowledge and research within Europe. ECAN has the overall objective of fostering closer cooperation between scattered European research institutions within the field of Contemporary China Studies, in order to help define the European Commission’s cooperation strategy and future policy with regard to China. An expert team from EIAS was implementing the Network and an ECAN Advisory Board, including senior experts from several leading European institutions, generates a ‘peer-review’ of the choices and directions of the ECAN Network, helping to ensure the efficient running and sustainability of the network.
ECAN Policy Analysis Workshops, organised by the EIAS team for the Commission, provided an opportunity for EU officials to discuss in-depth political and economic developments which are likely to become important shaping factors, perhaps stumbling blocks, for EU-China relations during the period of the forthcoming EU-China communication. Experts are brought in from across Europe to present topical and concise Briefing Papers to the Commission. Furthermore, the ECAN Annual Network Meeting, a one-day international conference is a forum for revised versions of the Briefing Papers to be presented as well as several keynote addresses from leading officials and prominent scholars.
Partners in the Consortium included the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), the Asia Research Centre (CBS), the Institute for East Asian Studies, University of Duisburg-Essen and the Centre Asie (Institut Français des Relations Internationales-IFRI).
For More Information, Click here
2006
This project was undertaken by EIAS with the direct funding of the Directorate General External Relations of the European Commission.
The main objective was to assess the state of study of contemporary India via a pilot survey of EU universities academic competence and knowledge of contemporary India. This pilot survey was in view of setting up a network
of Indian expertise, Academic Network for European Research related to India (ANERI)
The survey indicated that such competence on India was concentrated in a few countries and highly
fragmented and quite limited elsewhere, supported by a scholarly community of several hundred specialists.
The level of resources provided by national administrations for university-based teaching and research was
inadequate to support a broad-based academic knowledge base about contemporary India across the Member
States of the European Union.
This state of play has also meant that policy analysis of EU-India exchanges is weakly supported by the scholarly community. Although European universities have produced world-class research on contemporary India, the focus has often been driven at the behest of the episodic needs of individual Member States.
It has been ad hoc and demand driven, rather than in a sustained manner derived from a long-term vision.
ANERI Global Objective
To foster closer cooperation between the scattered European research institutions and the sources of information available about contemporary India.
Special Objectives
Production of briefs and papers on a range of most topical issues in the EU-India relationship, to include:
Briefing Papers produced include:
Prof. Rosa Perez: “Mapping India’s diaspora in Europe: Culture, society and policy”
Dr. Marie Lall: “Trends, constraints and prospects. Living in the Age of migration”
Prof. Kunal Sen and Mr. Manoj Chatterji: “Exploring the opportunities of people to people contacts: EU-India Tourism Cooperation”
Dr. Willem van der Geest and Ms. Miniya Chatterji: “India’s Emergence as a Global Economic Player: Implications and Opportunities for Europe”
Dr Lawrence Sáez and Mr Mahesh Vipradas: “Barriers and opportunities for EU-India renewable energy collaboration”
Ms Yojana Sharma and Mr Jonathan Braude: “India’s film industry and EU-Cooperation”
For more Background Information, click here (pdf)
The First ANERI Workshop
This project was undertaken by EIAS with the direct funding of the Directorate General External Relations of the European Commission.
The main objective was to assess the state of study of contemporary India via a pilot survey of EU universities academic competence and knowledge of contemporary India. This pilot survey was in view of setting up a network
of Indian expertise, Academic Network for European Research related to India (ANERI)
The survey indicated that such competence on India was concentrated in a few countries and highly
fragmented and quite limited elsewhere, supported by a scholarly community of several hundred specialists.
The level of resources provided by national administrations for university-based teaching and research was
inadequate to support a broad-based academic knowledge base about contemporary India across the Member
States of the European Union.
This state of play has also meant that policy analysis of EU-India exchanges is weakly supported by the scholarly community. Although European universities have produced world-class research on contemporary India, the focus has often been driven at the behest of the episodic needs of individual Member States.
It has been ad hoc and demand driven, rather than in a sustained manner derived from a long-term vision.
ANERI Global Objective
To foster closer cooperation between the scattered European research institutions and the sources of information available about contemporary India.
Special Objectives
Production of briefs and papers on a range of most topical issues in the EU-India relationship, to include:
- The role of the Indian Diaspora in Europe and its contribution to India's development
- India's emergence as an international investor: the globalisation of Indian industry
- Clean Energy and Clean Environment: ensuring sustainable development patterns
- India's Tourism Industry: unleashing the hidden potential of India
- Indian Students in Europe: trends, constraints and prospects
- EU-India co-operation in the Audio-Visual sector: bringing together European and Indian Film Industries
- To help Commission services in better defining their cooperation strategy and future policy with regard to India with the overall aim to enhance and deepen and widen the EU-India relationship.
Briefing Papers produced include:
Prof. Rosa Perez: “Mapping India’s diaspora in Europe: Culture, society and policy”
Dr. Marie Lall: “Trends, constraints and prospects. Living in the Age of migration”
Prof. Kunal Sen and Mr. Manoj Chatterji: “Exploring the opportunities of people to people contacts: EU-India Tourism Cooperation”
Dr. Willem van der Geest and Ms. Miniya Chatterji: “India’s Emergence as a Global Economic Player: Implications and Opportunities for Europe”
Dr Lawrence Sáez and Mr Mahesh Vipradas: “Barriers and opportunities for EU-India renewable energy collaboration”
Ms Yojana Sharma and Mr Jonathan Braude: “India’s film industry and EU-Cooperation”
For more Background Information, click here (pdf)
The First ANERI Workshop
Study on the Economics and Politics of East Asian Cooperation and in particular of China’s role in the process: challenges and opportunities for EU policy
2005
The on the Economics and Politics of East Asian Cooperation and the role of China in the process was undertaken by a consortium composed of EIAS and NOMISMA (Bologna, Italy). It was funded by the Directorate General External Relations of the European Commission.
The main objective of the study was to identify Europe’s strategic interests in East Asia, and to provide information on the region’s likely development in economic, political, security and socio-cultural terms, with a special focus on intra-regional co-operation and in particular China’s role.
In particular the study aimed at:
Analysing the current factual situation in the region, and in particular China, including relations with major global powers like the USA, Russia, India and the EU;
Identifying long-term shaping factors that affect/determine co-operation within East Asia and with the EU;
Undertaking a strategic analysis of the major world players in the region;
Examine the existing EU policies and strategies towards the region and China;
Analysing the challenges posed by the major powers in the region (Russia, China, USA, India);
Elaborating alternative scenarios, new options and recommendations for EU policies.
Expert Papers written for the Final Study Report include:
Prof. Robert Ash: “The Long-term Outlook for Economic Reform in China”
Dr. Roberta Benini: “China-Russia Economic and Strategic Relations: Between Rivalry and Co-operation”
Dr. Sebastian Bersick: “Strategic Considerations in the US-China Relationship: A role for European Soft Power?”
Dr. Sophie Boisseau du Rocher : “Can ASEAN Support Northeast Asia’s Pressure? Stakes and Implications for the European Union-ASEAN Partnership”
Prof. Seán Golden: “Socio-Cultural Aspects of the Relationship Between the EU and East Asia, with Particular Reference to China”
Willem van Kemenade: “The Political Economy of Northeast Asian Integration”
Dr. Françoise Nicolas: “East Asian Economic Integration – Past Experiences, Current State of Play and Future Prospects”
Frank Umbach: “Global Energy Security and its Geopolitical Consequences to EU-Asian Relations”
Prof. Wing Thye Woo: “The Return of the Dragon: Scenarios of the International Impact from China's Emergence as a Major Trading State”
Prof. Shujie Yao: “Building a Strong Nation, How Does China Perform in Science and Technology”
Roberta Zavoretti: “Family-Based Care for China’s Ageing Population: A Social Research Perspective”
Prof. Wei-Wei Zhang: “Long-term Outlook for China’s Political Reform (With special reference to the European interests in these reforms)”
Expert Interviews were carried out in the EU (Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Poland and the United Kingdom), Asia (China, including Taiwan and Hong Kong, Indonesia, India, Japan, Thailand, Singapore, South Korea) and the United States.
The on the Economics and Politics of East Asian Cooperation and the role of China in the process was undertaken by a consortium composed of EIAS and NOMISMA (Bologna, Italy). It was funded by the Directorate General External Relations of the European Commission.
The main objective of the study was to identify Europe’s strategic interests in East Asia, and to provide information on the region’s likely development in economic, political, security and socio-cultural terms, with a special focus on intra-regional co-operation and in particular China’s role.
In particular the study aimed at:
Analysing the current factual situation in the region, and in particular China, including relations with major global powers like the USA, Russia, India and the EU;
Identifying long-term shaping factors that affect/determine co-operation within East Asia and with the EU;
Undertaking a strategic analysis of the major world players in the region;
Examine the existing EU policies and strategies towards the region and China;
Analysing the challenges posed by the major powers in the region (Russia, China, USA, India);
Elaborating alternative scenarios, new options and recommendations for EU policies.
Expert Papers written for the Final Study Report include:
Prof. Robert Ash: “The Long-term Outlook for Economic Reform in China”
Dr. Roberta Benini: “China-Russia Economic and Strategic Relations: Between Rivalry and Co-operation”
Dr. Sebastian Bersick: “Strategic Considerations in the US-China Relationship: A role for European Soft Power?”
Dr. Sophie Boisseau du Rocher : “Can ASEAN Support Northeast Asia’s Pressure? Stakes and Implications for the European Union-ASEAN Partnership”
Prof. Seán Golden: “Socio-Cultural Aspects of the Relationship Between the EU and East Asia, with Particular Reference to China”
Willem van Kemenade: “The Political Economy of Northeast Asian Integration”
Dr. Françoise Nicolas: “East Asian Economic Integration – Past Experiences, Current State of Play and Future Prospects”
Frank Umbach: “Global Energy Security and its Geopolitical Consequences to EU-Asian Relations”
Prof. Wing Thye Woo: “The Return of the Dragon: Scenarios of the International Impact from China's Emergence as a Major Trading State”
Prof. Shujie Yao: “Building a Strong Nation, How Does China Perform in Science and Technology”
Roberta Zavoretti: “Family-Based Care for China’s Ageing Population: A Social Research Perspective”
Prof. Wei-Wei Zhang: “Long-term Outlook for China’s Political Reform (With special reference to the European interests in these reforms)”
Expert Interviews were carried out in the EU (Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Poland and the United Kingdom), Asia (China, including Taiwan and Hong Kong, Indonesia, India, Japan, Thailand, Singapore, South Korea) and the United States.
Three-Year EC Framework Parnership; Specific Agreement RELEX 1-2-190202-reg-1-26/2 on an Operating Grant
2004-2005-2006
For the 3-year subsidy contract with the Commission (2004-2006), each year there was a Work Programme which consisted of EIAS Lunch Briefings, EIAS Special Briefings, EIAS International Conferences, EIAS High-Profile Events, EIAS Loi-67 Briefings, EIAS Presentations and Academic Networking, EIAS Publications, EIAS Projects. We draw out here some relevant items. However, it must be noted that with an Asia-wide coverage, Vietnam does not occupy a major pre-occupation.
The most important moment when human rights was an item of discussion and exchange in this period of three years was the visit to the institute of a Senior Vietnamese delegation from National Assembly and the Office of the Prime Minister including Chairman Nguyen Mai for an informal meeting to have a discussion on a wide range of issues including human rights.
Otherwise the human rights’ focus of the Institute was human rights in Indonesia particularly Aceh, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Burma. Treated along with human rights were rule of law, democracy at national and local levels, islam and democracy, election observation, governance, peace, role of civil society, security, conflict resolution. There was one briefing on the International Criminal Court and Asian countries, for example.
Beyond this the theme treated greatly surrounded regional integration and inter-regionalism like ASEM, ASEAN, ASEAN + 3 and the EU’s relation to them. More generally the EU’s relations with Asia were the framework treated.
For the 3-year subsidy contract with the Commission (2004-2006), each year there was a Work Programme which consisted of EIAS Lunch Briefings, EIAS Special Briefings, EIAS International Conferences, EIAS High-Profile Events, EIAS Loi-67 Briefings, EIAS Presentations and Academic Networking, EIAS Publications, EIAS Projects. We draw out here some relevant items. However, it must be noted that with an Asia-wide coverage, Vietnam does not occupy a major pre-occupation.
The most important moment when human rights was an item of discussion and exchange in this period of three years was the visit to the institute of a Senior Vietnamese delegation from National Assembly and the Office of the Prime Minister including Chairman Nguyen Mai for an informal meeting to have a discussion on a wide range of issues including human rights.
Otherwise the human rights’ focus of the Institute was human rights in Indonesia particularly Aceh, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Burma. Treated along with human rights were rule of law, democracy at national and local levels, islam and democracy, election observation, governance, peace, role of civil society, security, conflict resolution. There was one briefing on the International Criminal Court and Asian countries, for example.
Beyond this the theme treated greatly surrounded regional integration and inter-regionalism like ASEM, ASEAN, ASEAN + 3 and the EU’s relation to them. More generally the EU’s relations with Asia were the framework treated.
2001
EU-India CSR was an initiative of the European Institute for Asian Studies. It was a unique venture that provided a cross-cultural perspective on social and environmental responsibility, bringing new insights to and facilitating the debate in Europe and India.
It was launched in February 2001 to bring together European and Indian companies and stakesholders to look at selected issues of social responsibility.
The network was co-financed by the European Commission and backed by the government of India.
The Indian partner in this venture was the Business Community Foundation (BCF), a non-profit-making body set up in New Delhi by Indian and international companies, in association with the International Business Leaders Forum.
The two European partners were the Assemblée Permanente des Chambres de Métier (APCM) which represents the French craft sector and the Natural Resources Institute (NRI) in London, a consultancy and research organisation working on ethical issues around the world.
The EU-India CSR Network published a review in 2002, entitled "Corporate Responsibility, A View from India".
EU-India CSR was an initiative of the European Institute for Asian Studies. It was a unique venture that provided a cross-cultural perspective on social and environmental responsibility, bringing new insights to and facilitating the debate in Europe and India.
It was launched in February 2001 to bring together European and Indian companies and stakesholders to look at selected issues of social responsibility.
The network was co-financed by the European Commission and backed by the government of India.
The Indian partner in this venture was the Business Community Foundation (BCF), a non-profit-making body set up in New Delhi by Indian and international companies, in association with the International Business Leaders Forum.
The two European partners were the Assemblée Permanente des Chambres de Métier (APCM) which represents the French craft sector and the Natural Resources Institute (NRI) in London, a consultancy and research organisation working on ethical issues around the world.
The EU-India CSR Network published a review in 2002, entitled "Corporate Responsibility, A View from India".
Since 1999
Components of Germany's development of international cooperation with ASEAN countries is done through the international programmes of the German Political Foundations.
The European Institute for Asian Studies in collaboration with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation's Europe bureau in Brussels organises the annual dialogue programme involving leading Think Tanks from EU Member States and the ASEAN-wide network of Institutes for Strategic and International Studies (ASEAN-ISIS).
In the process EIAS has developed an active network of some 55 leading analysts with competence in EU-ASEAN relations from across all EU Member States; these have participated in some of the Dialogue meetings and provided analysis.
The overall objective of the Dialogue programme was to provide a platform for discussions on recent political, economic and security developments and to provide inputs to the policy-making processes at the level of the EU (European Parliament and European Commission) and the ASEAN.
Components of Germany's development of international cooperation with ASEAN countries is done through the international programmes of the German Political Foundations.
The European Institute for Asian Studies in collaboration with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation's Europe bureau in Brussels organises the annual dialogue programme involving leading Think Tanks from EU Member States and the ASEAN-wide network of Institutes for Strategic and International Studies (ASEAN-ISIS).
In the process EIAS has developed an active network of some 55 leading analysts with competence in EU-ASEAN relations from across all EU Member States; these have participated in some of the Dialogue meetings and provided analysis.
The overall objective of the Dialogue programme was to provide a platform for discussions on recent political, economic and security developments and to provide inputs to the policy-making processes at the level of the EU (European Parliament and European Commission) and the ASEAN.
1999-2006
From 1999 to 2006, the European Institute for Asian Studies, in collaboration with the European Alliance for Asian Studies and with the support of the Taipei Representative Office in Belgium, organised an annual high-level Conference under the theme of Taiwan-China Cross-Strait Relations. These conferences assembled leading policymakers, scholars and civil society representatives from the EU, Taiwan and the People’s Republic of China to discuss current events and trends affecting the evolution of mutual relations.
In December 1999, EIAS received then Pres. Candidate Chen Shui Bian, and followed up with a Specialised Briefing on the Presidential Election results in May 2000. Building upon this relationship, EIAS (in collaboration with the European Alliance for Asian Studies, began organising annual conferences on Taiwan-China Cross-Strait Relations held in two separate European Cities on each occasion.
The themes have included, inter alia:
“Taiwan-China Cross-Strait Relations: What Role for the EU?” (2005)
“Taiwan-China Cross-Straits Relations-Outlook for Regional Security in East Asia” (2004)
“Taiwan-China Cross-Strait Relations: Taiwan’s Role in the Rise of China” planned for Copenhagen and Brussels in 2006.
From 1999 to 2006, the European Institute for Asian Studies, in collaboration with the European Alliance for Asian Studies and with the support of the Taipei Representative Office in Belgium, organised an annual high-level Conference under the theme of Taiwan-China Cross-Strait Relations. These conferences assembled leading policymakers, scholars and civil society representatives from the EU, Taiwan and the People’s Republic of China to discuss current events and trends affecting the evolution of mutual relations.
In December 1999, EIAS received then Pres. Candidate Chen Shui Bian, and followed up with a Specialised Briefing on the Presidential Election results in May 2000. Building upon this relationship, EIAS (in collaboration with the European Alliance for Asian Studies, began organising annual conferences on Taiwan-China Cross-Strait Relations held in two separate European Cities on each occasion.
The themes have included, inter alia:
“Taiwan-China Cross-Strait Relations: What Role for the EU?” (2005)
“Taiwan-China Cross-Straits Relations-Outlook for Regional Security in East Asia” (2004)
“Taiwan-China Cross-Strait Relations: Taiwan’s Role in the Rise of China” planned for Copenhagen and Brussels in 2006.
