Fourth ASEF University, Singapore, January 2001
The Fourth ASEF University was held from 14 - 27 January 2001 in Singapore. Co-organised by ASEF and the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, National University of Singapore, thirty-five participants experienced the cultural melting pot that is Singapore, often described by guide books as "Asia for beginners". Even more memorable was the time frame of the programme, set during the Chinese New Year holidays, enabling the participants to witness colourful traditions and festivities. Unforgettable experiences for the Fourth ASEF University included a heritage tour, and a weekend excursion to Malacca and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, which included a visit to the University of Malaya's new Asia-Europe Institute. A reception was likewise hosted by the Royal Embassy of Sweden in Singapore, commemorating the current Swedish EU presidency.
The theme for the Fourth ASEF University, Social Changes in Asia and Europe in the Age of Globalisation, was a departure from the previous foci on political and economic developments. Instead, deeper discussions were held on social developments in Asia and Europe, taking up issues of mutual concerns such as a global environmental policy, the role of media, the rights of women and the question of universally accepted values. Another focus dealt with the role and status of nation-states and international organisations with regards to dealing with the changes brought about by forces of globalisation. The programme ended with the students' presentations on What Makes a World Citizen.
The lectures comprised of:
- Dr Ian Manners, Lund University and Copenhagen Peace Research Institute, Sweden
" Post War History of Europe" - Dr Fredrik Melander, Department of Political Science, Lund University, Sweden
" Democracy and Welfare Retrenchments in Sweden" - Professor Tan Tai Yong, Head, Department of History, National University of Singapore
" Post War History of East and Southeast Asia" - Professor Yoshihide Soeya, Political Science Department, Faculty of Law, Keio University, Japan
" Japan - Its Role in the Region and in the World" - Professor Adam Tickell, Department of Geography, University of Southampton, United Kingdom
" The World's New Economy and the International Financial System" - Dr Ben Rosamond, Senior Research Fellow for International Politics, Centre for the Study of Globalisation and Regionalisation, University of Warwick, United Kingdom
" European Integration and Globalisation" - Associate Professor Dr Magnus Jerneck, Head of the Centre of European Studies, Lund University, Sweden
" The European Monetary Union as an Example of Flexible Integration" - Dr Henry Wai-chung Yeung, Department of Geography, National University of Singapore
" Economic Globalisation and the Dynamics of Asian Business Systems" - Professor Dr Magnus Blomström, President, European Institute of Japanese Studies, Sweden
" What Explains Economic Growth in Asia" - Dr Carolina Hernandez, President, Institute for Strategic and Development Studies, University of the Philippines
" Regional Co-operation in the Asia-Pacific: Political and Security Dimensions" - Professor Dr Dong Lisheng, Institute for Political Science, Chinese Academy for Social Sciences, Beijing, China
" Institutionalisation of the Grassroots Democracy in China: Practice and Prospects" - Dr Jong-Wan Kim, Director, Seijong Forum for Democracy, Korea
" Democracy and Asian Values" - Dr Hadi Soesastro, Executive Director, Centre for Strategic and International Studies, Indonesia
" Indonesia in Transition" - Professor Dr Jürgen Rüland, Institute of Political Science, University of Freiburg, Germany
" Asia-Europe Co-operation - The ASEM Process: A European View" - Associate Professor Dr Sung Hoon Park, Economics and International Trade, Graduate School of International Studies and European Studies, Korea University
" Asia-Europe Co-operation - The ASEM Process: An Asian View" - Mr Ian Johnstone, Former First Officer, Office of the United Nations Secretary General
" The United Nations in a Changing Global Climate"