Fifth ASEF University, Arrábida, Portugal, July-August 2001
The Fifth ASEF University was held from 22 July to 4 August 2001 at the historic Convento da Arrábida in Portugal. Co-organised by ASEF and the Fundação Oriente, 28 outstanding senior undergraduates were given the opportunity to experience Portugal's festive flavours. Daytime tours in Lisbon and Évora, and chances to explore the surrounding region of Arrábida, were highlighted by a dinner/performance at a Fado Traditional Music House, and a flamenco-guitar concert performed especially for the students by the up-and-coming Japanese musician Yutaro Nagao.
An intensive academic programme under the theme, Integration or Disintegration of the Modern World? Challenges in Europe and Asia, focused on economic, political, social, ethnic and cultural conflict in the modern world, and specific focus was given to the behaviour between states and the distinction between the co-operation and integration. Building up on the theme were presentations on different models of regional and bi-regional co-operation and integration (i.e. ASEM, EU, ASEAN) that could be used to overcome these conflicts. Panel discussions gave differing perspectives on issues involving Portugal's experience in European integration and its role in the ASEM process. Lively discussion also followed a panel discussion on whether globalisation could be seen as more of a benefit than a threat. The event culminated in a final presentation by the students on the theme, What Would Make the World Conflict-Free?
The lectures comprised of:
- Ms Radoslava Stefanova, Research Fellow and Head of the South East Europe Programme, Istituto Affari Internazionali, Italy
"Major Conflicts in Europe" - Associate Professor Dr Chin Kin Wah, Department of Political Science, National University of Singapore
"Major Conflicts in Asia" - Dr Marie-Janine Calic, Office of the Special Co-ordinator of the Stability Pact, Belgium
"Case Study: The Kosovo Conflict" - Mr Frank Umbach, Senior Research Fellow, Research Institute of the German Society for Foreign Affairs
"Case Study: Mainland China and Taiwan Relations" - Professor António de Sousa Franco, Former Minister of Finance, Portugal; Dr João Benard da Costa, Director, Portuguese Cinematheque; Dr Maria José Ferro Tavares, Rector, Universidade Aberta; Dr Mário Avelar, Pro-Rector, Universidade Aberta
Panel Discussion on "Globalisation: Benefit or Threat?" - Mr Simon Wong, Counsel, Corporate Affairs Division, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development; Ms Marie-Laurence Guy, Project Manager, Corporate Affairs, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
"Corporate Governance: A Pillar for Stability" - Dr Carolina Hernandez, President and Founder, Institute for Strategic and Defence Studies, Philippines
"ASEAN: An Asian Model of Co-operation… and Integration?" - Mr João Proença, Secretary General, União Geral dos Trabalhadores (Workers General Union); Mr Francisco Sarsfield Cabral, Journalist and Economist; Mr Manuel Agria, Director, Portuguese Association of Public Works Enterprises
Panel Discussion on "Portugal in the EU: Experiences in European Integration" - Dr Carlos Maria Velloso da Costa, Asia and Oceania Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Portugal; Dr José Prates Raposo, Cooperação Intercâmbio e Cultura (Co-operation Interchange and Culture), Portugal, Dr Ana Paula Beja Horta, Universidade Aberta,
Panel Discussion on "ASEM: A Form of Inter-Regional Co-operation" - Ambassador Jørgen Ørstrøm Møller, ASEF Governor for Denmark and Ambassador of Denmark to Singapore
"The End of Internationalism, of World Governance?"