Events
Clingendael Asia Studies International Conference 'Is Europe Ready for Asia's Rise?' 25-26 May 2009
The dynamic developments and diversity in the Asian region offer Europe many opportunities for cooperation, but also pose a major challenge. European countries and the European Union (EU) are becoming increasingly active in and towards Asia, but many doubt whether Europe is really ready for Asia's rise. Critics point to Europe's lack of strategic thinking and unified decisiveness and they raise the question of whether a normative power like the EU can be strong and effective. What is clear is that Europe needs to rethink Asia's growing role and influence in the world, and develop an Asia policy that seizes upon economic opportunities and that contributes to global stability, good governance and sustainable development.
The conference's first session will look at the EU as a normative power. The EU claims that normative principles such as human rights, democracy, social solidarity and good governance are the cornerstones of its partnerships and dialogues with other countries. In practice, however, the EU does not always give priority to the norms and values that it promotes. To what extent can and does the EU engage with democratization and peace-building in the ASEAN region? What is the impact of the EU's normative behaviour on relations with China?
The second session will examine Europe's role as a hard power and security actor against the background of Asia's rise. It is often pointed out that Europe should think more strategically about security issues in Asia. Questions to be addressed include whether there is a need for European involvement aimed at stabilization and reducing security risks in the region, and whether there are any specific developments that offer opportunities for cooperation. At the same time, it is important to note that various Asian countries are becoming security actors in other regions where Europe also has a stake. Speakers will discuss prospects for European–Asian cooperation in maritime security and possible European contributions to security and stability in Asia.
The third session will explore the development of European–Asian relations on energy security. Speakers will discuss the different European and Asian perspectives on energy security as well as challenges and opportunities for European–Asian cooperation in this field.
Topics to be discussed in the fourth session include the need to review Europe's economic and financial policies and the interrelationship between politics, economics and security in Europe's development policy. The first panel will take European and Asian policies towards Africa as a case study and raise the questions of how Europe should respond to Asia's growing influence in Africa and what Europe should learn from Asia's more pragmatic approach to economic cooperation and development aid. The second panel will address the rise of Asian sovereign wealth funds and state-owned enterprises in the global economy: how do they affect international financial and business mechanisms; what role will they play in the European economy; is there a need for stricter review; and should European countries create their own funds?
Confirmed speakers include Ian Buruma, Walden Bello, Kavaljit Singh, Jin Canrong, Gudrun Wacker, Nicola Casarini, Sanjay Chaturvedi, Deepak Bhattasali, Chris Alden and Maaike Okano-Heijmans. Please see the programme for a regularly updated list of speakers.
