ASEM: A foundation for Asia-Europe ties

ASEM: A foundation for Asia-Europe ties

Yeo Lay Hwee suggests an action agenda for the new Asia-Europe Foundation in promoting relations between the two regions.

Europe and Asia's "rediscovery" of each other is driven by the necessity of economics. Asia's entry as a major economic player in the international market is a central reality that Europe cannot ignore. Impressed by Asia's growing economic clout, and the economic opportunities in the region, Europe realized that its own prosperity required an engagement with Asia. Asia, faced with huge infrastructure and capital needs, is also eager to attract European investments and technology. This was the rationale behind the first high-level, high-profile, Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Bangkok in March this year.

While the Asia-Europe partnership is economics-driven, and trade and investment will remain the focus, it is gratifying to note that the decisions and projects to come out of ASEM were broad-based and included political, security, cultural and educational co-operation. One significant proposal, put forward by Singapore, is the establishment of an Asia-Europe Foundation to promote greater understanding between the peoples of the two regions. Singapore has offered US$1 million in seed-money for this new Asia-Europe Foundation. Hopefully, others will follow Singapore's lead and contribute towards the foundation's endowment fund.

The need for an Asia-Europe Foundation (and other programs such as the Asia-Europe University Program) to promote exchanges aimed at bridging the perception gaps and create greater awareness between Asians and Europeans is acknowledged. These exchanges would serve to strengthen cultural links and foster closer people-to-people contacts. Such a long-term, comprehensive approach is recognized as vital because at the end of the day, the stability and the strength of ties between Europe and Asia rests on a better understanding of each other, on mutual acceptance and a healthy respect for each other.

It has been noted by some European scholars that despite extensive colonial links to Asia in the past, Europe today has a dearth of Asia specialists. Knowledge of Asia remains relatively thin on the ground. Similarly, Asia's interest in Europe has declined as a result of the post-War decolonization process. This has resulted in the loosening of old ties and the forging of new ones. Beyond the preserves of a small segment of policy-makers, bureaucrats and big businesses, ignorance about each other and the changes taking place remains. Each tends to perceive the other in a stereotype -- an inward-looking fortress Europe which looks down on Asia; and a backward Asia with people living under authoritarian rulers, condoning sweatshops, exploitation and child prostitution. Because of a lack of information, and Europe's preoccupation with its internal affairs, many Europeans have not kept up with the rapid developments in Asia. Similarly, the visibility of Europe in Asia has also suffered because of East Asia's preoccupation with the U.S.

What can the Asia-Europe Foundation do to help overcome stereotypes and misperceptions, promote greater awareness and understanding, and keep the peoples of both regions accurately informed about the developments in both regions? Here are a few suggestions:

* The Asia-Europe Foundation straddles two big continents of great size and diversity. Endorsed by the leaders of 25 nations during ASEM, it is possible for the foundation to set its sights high. For immediate impact and visibility, the foundation should organize a meeting of world-class leaders and thinkers (such as both serving and former political leaders, opinion-makers and Nobel Prize winners/laureates) to discuss not only Asia-Europe relations, but issues on global ethics and principles. In an increasingly interdependent and fast-moving world fraught with uncertainties and challenges, it would be a good time for world leaders to come together to articulate the future of the planet.

* In a situation where the international media is dominated by the West, the onus is on Asian nations to project an Asian image, set out Asian points of views and bring Asian ideas to the Europeans. There is a need to work out a comprehensive information strategy to build up awareness of Asia in the media, to reach both opinion-makers and the wider European public. For a start, the Asia-Europe Foundation may want to sponsor the publication of a regular Asian newsletter (in both print and electronic form) to be targeted at a European audience. However, beyond this, the Asia-Europe Foundation must work closely with other business, educational and cultural groups to co-ordinate publicity efforts to achieve maximum effect. Exchanges between media and journalists of both regions must also be encouraged.

* Instead of merely promoting Asia as a place to make money, Asians must also try to promote their traditional and contemporary arts and cultures. While many Asians either play or appreciate the violin, the piano and the guitar, how many Europeans know what the pipa or the sita look or sound like? The appreciation of arts, especially traditional arts and culture, is a good start towards appreciating the underlying differences in value systems. There should be regular exchanges between the cultural leaders and practitioners of the two regions.

* To lay the foundation for a stable, long-term relationship, exchanges between youths and young leaders is important. The Asia-Europe Foundation should organize seminars and conferences for young leaders to get together, not only to exchange views on their visions of a common future, foster greater understanding, but also as opportunities for developing personal ties and friendships. The Asia- Europe University Program when implemented would be the key in achieving this aim. To maintain the ties established during university days, alumni associations should be encouraged.

The Asia-Europe Foundation must capitalize on this recent wave of enthusiasm and develop a comprehensive set of programs aimed at broadening the base and increasing the various contacts between Europe and Asia.

The ultimate objective is a sustainable, healthy relationship based not only on mutual benefit but on genuine respect for each other. A strong base will help weather the periodic storms that will buffet the relationship.

In most of these programs, the Asia-Europe Foundation could serve as a facilitator, bringing the different groups together -- performing tasks such as the networking of think-tanks, arts and cultural groups; pairing educational and training institutes for human resource development; encouraging and promoting research that will help develop a better understanding of the cultures, histories and the business practices of both regions; maintaining a list of experts on Asia and Europe in both regions who could be called upon for the exchange of information and ideas across all policy areas; the list goes on.

In short, creating the framework and providing the impetus for the various groups to establish a useful working partnership. Only in areas or activities where initiative and support are lacking would the Asia-Europe Foundation be fully involved in both the organization and funding of these activities.

The tasks ahead for the Asia-Europe Foundation might seem daunting. There are no miraculous solutions which can deliver immediate improvement in all areas of Asia-Europe relations. Hence the need to look into both immediate and long-term, ad hoc and regular programs and, more importantly, to work with all key institutions and associations to bring about lasting change for the better.

Yeo Lay Hwee is a Research Associate at the Institute of Policy Studies.