One of our main activities is organising and hosting Special Briefings on pertinent topics of EU-Asia relations. Beginning with an informal lunch, the Briefings usually last for 1.5 hours, including questions.

Attendees include EIAS members and other interested parties.

Experts wishing to discuss a possible topic for a Lucheon Briefing are invited to contact EIAS Direct Dr Willem van der Geest.

Meeting the Challenges of Helping South Asia More Effectively
24 May 2005, EIAS, Brussels

Speaker: Mr. Praful Patel, Regional Vice President, South Asia Region, World Bank
Chair: Mr. Malcolm Subhan, vice-Chair, European Institute for Asian Studies, Brussels

For the past decade, South Asia has been the second fastest-growing region in the world, after East Asia, with an average annual growth rate of 5.3 percent. However, the region remains one of the most disadvantaged in the world: more than 40 percent of its 1.4 billion people live on less than one dollar a day, making South Asia home to nearly half of the world's poor.

In December 2004, the deadly Asian tsunami reached the shores of South Asia, leaving behind a trail of destruction that has impacted the region in more ways than one. Today talk of ‘building back better’ is high on the agenda, with debate focusing on how to further develop and improve the life and livelihoods of those left behind.

This meeting explored the means by which development assistance can be scaled up in South Asia. What are the issues and trade-offs in targeting aid to regions with better governance, where it may be used more effectively? Or in targeting the poorest regions or other subnational entities, where governance is often weakest?

The European Institute for Asian Studies has the pleasure to welcome Mr. Praful Patel, Regional Vice President for the South Asia Region, World Bank, to give an overview of World Bank efforts to provide increased assistance in different countries in South Asia.

Download the Speaker's Presentation (pdf)

Photo Gallery

Download the Letter of Invitation (pdf)

 

 

Photo Gallery