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.