ASEAN and the EUROPEAN UNION

ASEAN and the European Union have been partners for 25 years in a world that is undergoing rapid changes. The need for a cooperation based on trust includes the wish for more information about each other and permanent contacts and talks with one another.
With this publication which was launched at a book presentation on 16. June the Konrad Adenauer Foundation wishes to let authoritative personalities from the European Council, the European Commission and the European Parliament share their insights about the institutions.
This book is also meant as an indispensable compendium of the major European institutions and a practical-oriented reference book for establishing contacts with the European players.

Updated 19/06/06

13th ASEAN-ISIS Colloquium on Human Rights

The 13th ASEAN-Institute for Strategic and Development Studies (ISIS) Colloquium on Human Rights (AICOHR) was successfully held on 15 – 16 May, 2006, at the Edsa Shangri-La in Manila, Philippines. The keynote address was delivered by the Foreign Minister of the Philippines, H.E. Alberto G. Romulo, who stressed the importance of AICOHR in human rights promotion in Southeast Asia and beyond.

Some of the key themes that were discussed during this colloquium, included:

1. Human Rights Promotion in the ASEAN Security Community (ASC).

2. The importance of Human Rights in Political Development.

3. The Challenges and the Role of Track Two in Human Rights Promotion in the ASC.

Updated 24/05/06

Werner vom Busch & Tobias Rettig (eds.):
6th Asian-European Editors’ Forum, Singapore, 2006

This book brings together a collection of presentations and the respective question and answer sessions derived from the Sixth Asian-European Editors’ Forum, which was held from 28 to 31 August 2005 in Jakarta, and organized by the Konrad-Adenauer-Foundation in co-operation with the Jakarta Post.

The first three contributions give first-hand accounts by leading Indonesian policymakers. President Yudhoyono hence takes stock of his first ten months in office and some of the key policy issues ahead. Dr. Mulyani Indrawati, his then Minister of State for National Development Planning, covers policy issues crucial for the Indonesian economy. The Head of the Aceh and Nias Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Agency, Dr. Kuntoro Mangkusubroto, provides an insight into his experience with reconstructing the tsunami-ravaged areas.

Seasoned advisers, analysts, academics, and activists added their insights into issues relating to international politics, terrorism, and Islam. Hence Jusuf Wanandi, co-founder of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, discusses emerging challenges for the East Asian region. Dr. Bahtiar Effendy reflects on the congeniality of Islam and civic society in Indonesia, while Zainah Anwar from Malaysia’s ‘Sisters in Islam’ gives a first-hand account of her organization’s struggle for more women’s rights within Islam. The strained media coverage of Islam was the topic of Stephen Schwartz’s presentation, whereas Sidney Jones of the International Crisis Group provides an informed insight into recent trends in terrorism in Indonesia and Southeast Asia.

Available for download as pdf file.

Updated 01/03/06

Syed Farid Alatas (ed.):
Covering Islam: Challenges and Opportunities
for Media in the Global Village
Singapore, 2005

Although the media coverage of Islam is a much discussed topic, the chapters of this volume attempt to discuss a number of different aspects of the problem instead of engaging in the usual ‘revelations’ of Western media bias as far as reporting on Islam is concerned. This compendium of scholarly articles discusses issues surrounding the presentation of religion and ideology in the modern world and aims to seal gaps in interfaith understanding that could have existed due to media representations on inter-religious, civilization and ethnic tensions. It is also a platform where concerns of the media are aired as well, leading to a better appreciation of its role in the development of civic society.

Written by a mix of scholars and media practitioners, these articles address theoretical issues as well as provide anecdotal evidence in charting the terrains of the media coverage of Islam. They encompass the broad ethical underpinnings of media practices and comparison of the East and West coverage of Islam. Case studies of Western, American and Malaysian media address the challenges that both the Muslim and non-Muslim-controlled media need to address. The book wraps up with prospects of harnessing inter-religious harmony through media agencies.

These articles are a documentation of the presentations made at the International Seminar on ‘Covering Islam: Challenges and Opportunities for Media in the Global Village’. Held in Singapore in September 2005, the seminar was organized by Singapore’s Centre for Research on Islamic and Malay Affairs (RIMA) and supported by the Singapore-based Media Program Asia of the Konrad-Adenauer-Foundation.

Available for download as pdf file.

Updated 01/03/06

Panorama 2/2005

Published as a part of the Regional Programme of the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Southeast Asia Office, Panorama is a journal on Southeast Asian and European Affairs. The present edition is a special Japan-issue on the occasion of the “Germany in Japan Year” whereby more than 300 events have been scheduled nationwide in the fields of culture, economy, politics and science to celebrate the “Germany in Japan 2005/2006” project which runs from April 2005 through the spring of 2006.

MAIN TOPICS:

• The Characteristic of Japanese Constitution and Its Practical Use by Azhar
• Japan’s Necessary Reconciliation with History by Eric Teo Chu Cheow
• Japan’s Place in Myanmar’s Bilateral Relations by N. Ganesan
• Is Japan Leading a Common East Asian External Policy? by César de Prado Yepes
• Japan’s Peacemaking and Peace-Building in Southeast Asia by Lam Peng Er

DOCUMENTS:

• Marking sixty years since the end of the Second World War – Message from Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi in the Koizumi Cabinet E-mail Magazine
• Inauguration of the Third Koizumi Cabinet – Message from Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi in the Koizumi Cabinet E-mail Magazine
• General Policy Speech by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to the 163rd Session of the Diet
  

ISSN 0119-5204

Updated 12/02/06

First Asian Political Parties Workshop on Efficient Party Management

Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Singapore and the Asia and Pacific Office of the Centrist Democrat International (CDI) recently organized a 2-day-workshop on efficient party management in Manila. Broaching the issue of party platforms and programmes, party organization and financing, communications and campaigning, the workshop facilitated the exchange of experiences with senior party leaders of Asian political parties as well as with experts from Europe.

Updated 22/12/05

Forum on Gender Issues

Gender Issues is a new programme supported by Konrad Adenauer Stiftung. The forum was held on 5 December 2005. It was the first cooperation between KAS-Singapore and the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS) Gender Studies Programme. Dr. Balaji Sadasivan, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Health in Singapore, was invited to deliver the keynote speech. This forum has given an overview of the trends, practices and different experiences in each country.

Updated 22/12/05

7th Europe East Asia Think Tank Dialogue

KAS Singapore co-organized the 7th EU-Asia Think Tank dialogue from 22 to 24 November 2005 jointly with the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Jakarta, the Institute for Development and International Studies (ISDS) Manila and the European Institute for Asian Studies (EIAS) Brussels. Mr. Hartmut Nassauer, Chairman of the Delegation with the Countries of Southeast Asia and ASEAN in the European Parliament delivered a special statement.

Updated 22/12/05

Local Government in Asia

The 13th Conference of the East and Southeast Asia Network for better Local Governments, entitled "City Revitalization through Eco Urban Tourism", organised by KAS Singapore and LOGODEF Manila, was held from 2 - 4 November in Thailand. Experts from Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam delivered papers on their respective cities. These include, inter alia: "City Revitalization through Asset Management" by Mr. KC Leong, "Policies and Strategies for Eco Urban Tourism" by Prof. Thaveevong Sriburi and a presentation by noted Thai architect Prof. Dr. Sumet Jumsai.

Updated 28/11/05

Third Regional Seminar on Constitutional Jurisdiction in Asia

Held in Ulan Bator from 7 – 8 September 2005, the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung organised the third regional seminar of Asian constitutional court judges. The event was co-organised by the Constitutional Court of Mongolia. The opening and Public Forum was graciously presided over by the President of Mongolia. This series of seminars provides a basis for an institutionalised exchange of information between the constitutional court judges in Asia. Among those present are constitutional court judges from Indonesia, Korea, Mongolia and Thailand, as well justices from the Constitutional Council of Cambodia and the Supreme Court of the Philippines.

Updated 25/10/05

Parliaments and Political Change in Asia

This study of the national parliaments of India, Indonesia, the Philippines, South Korea, and Thailand is inspired by four major theoretical discourses: Neo-institutionalism, parliamentarianism versus presidentialism, majoritarian versus consensus democracy, and transition theory. The book examines the specific role of parliaments in political decision-making, regime change, democratization, and consolidation of democracy in a comparative perspective. It argues that parliaments play a greater part in the political decision-making than is often asserted and that there is no cogent causal relationship between parliamentary performance and system of government.

The study was commissioned and financed by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation.

ISBN 981-230-273-5

Updated 03/10/05

Panorama 1/2005

Published as a part of the Regional Programme of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Southeast Asia Office, Panorama is a journal on Southeast Asian and European Affairs.

MAIN TOPICS:

• Leadership Succession and U.S. Foreign Policy: Implications for East Asia, by Charles E. Morrison
• The Politics of Re-Orientation and Responsibility: European Union Foreign Policy and Human Rights Promotion in Asian Countries? by Georg Wiessala
• Reorganisation of the International System, by Josef Thesing
• Singapore's “Global” Cultural Policy: The Consequences of the Global City for the Arts Project in the Theatre, by Terence Chong.

DOCUMENTS:

• Revisiting the Spirit of ASEAN in Southeast Asian Classrooms: Keynote Address by Mr Ong Keng Yong, Secretary-General of ASEAN
• Leadership in ASEAN after the Tsunami: Remarks by H.E. Ong Keng Yong, Secretary-General of ASEAN

ISSN 0119-5204

Updated 27/06/05

Economic and Non-Traditional Security Cooperation in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS)

Jörn Dosch; Colin Dürkop (Editors), et al

These 14 referenced papers are selected from those given at the 2004 Hanoi Conference which brought together academics and practitioners from the Greater Mekong Subregion and from concerned institutions in Germany and UK. The pattern and potential of actual and envisaged cooperative actions of the six GMS states are explored. Much often-inaccessible data relating to the GMS with its 245 million population and 2.3 million km² area is made available.

ISBN 981-05-2723-3

Updated 26/05/05

Media Cooperation in the Asian Regional Context: the Asia News Network (ANN)

Abstract of the speech given by Werner vom Busch, Regional Representative (Media) of Konrad-Adenauer Foundation, Singapore, at the Media Convention 2005, held from 29-30 April 2005 at Kuching, Malaysia.

The facilitation of regional media cooperation and the promotion of a free, responsible and ethical press, are the key aims of the Media Program Asia of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAF). Its flagship program is the Asia News Network (ANN). Set up in 1999 and coordinated from its Bangkok newsroom, the ANN comprises fourteen leading national dailies from twelve Asian countries. This unique network – the largest of its kind worldwide - provides avenues for cross-border Asian news cooperation and optimizes the flow and coverage of major news in the region. Its website also offers, free of charge, a daily news selection to the general public; as such, the ANN also serves as an informal channel of Asian-European news exchange.

This presentation will discuss challenges and opportunities – old and new - to regional media cooperation. The speaker will also draw on his insights in two further KAF-supported initiatives / programs: the Council of Asia Press Institutes (CAPI) and the Konrad Adenauer Center for Journalism at the Ateneo de Manila University.

Updated 02/05/05

Security Management in ESEA Cities

The 12th Conference of the East and Southeast Asia Network for better Local Governments, entitled "Security Management in ESEA Cities", organised by KAS Singapore and LOGODEF Manila, was held from 2 - 4 December in Singapore. More than a dozen experts from Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam delivered papers on their respective cities. Distinguished speakers included, inter alia, Hon. Zainul Abidin Rasheed, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs (Singapore); H.E. Prum Sokha, Secretary of State, Ministry of Interior (Cambodia) and Dr. Buranaj Smutharaks (Member of Parliament and Adviser to the Bangkok Governor, Thailand).

Updated 10/01/05

Islam and Democracy:
The Southeast Asian Experience

Muslims today seem divided in their attitudes towards Democracy. The different meanings and ways by which both Muslims and non-Muslims perceive Democracy and Islam, exacerbate this division. In recent years, greater consensus has increasingly emerged among Muslim scholars that, if approached appropriately, some of the fundamental Islamic ideas about statecraft and politics, bear semblance to the basic tenets and philosophical underpinnings of Western democracy.

The imperatives inherent in this belief are captured in Islam and Democracy. This compendium of articles by Muslim scholars encompass the general discussion about the Islam-Democracy nexus, and some specific country studies examining how Muslims pursue their Islamic aspirations, as both Muslims and citizens of 'secular' States. Through these discussions, the recent trends in Political Islam in Southeast Asia are assessed.

Updated 07/01/05

Panorama 2/2004

Published as part of the Regional Programme of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Southeast Asia office, Panorama is a journal on Southeast Asian and European Affairs.

Contents:

• Idealist perspectives in the Lisbon Proceedings of the EUASEAN+3 Think Tank Dialogue: Completing the Triangle -- Prepared by Yeo Lay Hwee and Willem van der Geest
• Political Succession in Asia: Continuity or Change? -- Carolina G. Hernandez
• Political Succession in Indonesia and Southeast Asia: Cosmetic Changes, Dextrous Adjustments -- François Raillon
• The Challenges of Global Terrorism: A Joint Agenda for Asia, EU and US -- Mohamed Jawhar Hassan
• The Challenges of Global Terrorism: A U.S. Perspective -- Angel M. Rabasa
• The Rise of China and its Implications on the ASEAN-EUAmerica Triangle Relations -- You Ji
• Changing Security and Political Environments of the Korean Peninsula: Bottleneck or Opening for New Asia? -- Chung-Si Ahn

Updated 04/01/05

Entrepreneurship and SMEs in Southeast Asia

Edited by Denis Hew and Loi Wee Nee

Economic development in Southeast Asia was until recently largely driven by multinational corporations and by strategies that favoured foreign direct investment. However, the financial crisis of 1997–98 and the subsequent regional economic slowdown in 2001 forced policy-makers to re-evaluate their economic policies.

This study looks at the increasingly important role of entrepreneurship and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as agents of development. The book also focuses on the new policy initiatives by the different governments as they address the issues affecting the development of SMEs themselves.

This book can be directly ordered by ISEAS.

Updated 27/09/04

Forum for East Asia-Latin America Cooperation 2003

East and Southeast Asia on one hand, and Latin America on the other, are two continents that are miles apart. The distance is not only geographic but also political, cultural and economic. Direct trade between these two continents is minimal compared to that with Europe and the US. Nonetheless, the quantum improvements in transport, telecommunications and information technologies may usher in the age of Cross Pacific Trade.
This publication contains papers presented at the first Cross-Pacific Economic Integration Workshop which was held in Singapore at 22 August 2003 in support of initiatives of the Forum for East Asia-Latin America Cooperation (FEALAC).

Updated 21/09/04

Annual Meeting of CAPI in New Delhi, India

A most impressive keynote on “Religious Tolerance in the Region and the Role of the Media” was delivered by Prof. Samdhong Rimpoche, Prime Minister of the exiled Tibetan Government at the 7th CAPI Meeting. It took place in New Delhi, India, from the 12th to 14th of March. CAPI, the Council of Asia Press Institutes, has the aim to further journalistic skills and ethics of this profession on a regional basis. It has 10 members in just as many countries: Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Korea, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

Prof. Samdhong Rimpoche’s speech made it absolutely clear: If religion is true to its roots, it should not cause any conflicts because the purpose of religion is to create harmony between living beings. Alas, where it causes thus, it should not be called a “religion” in its original sense, but it is perverted by human beings for their own purposes: Power and influence.

The participants also got an interesting insight into the workings of the Indian Election Commission by the advisor to this organisation, Mr. S K Mendiratta, who told the attending CAPI members that this year 700 political parties will take in the Indian Election in May and more than one million electronic voting machines will be used to get the election results of the worlds biggest democracy.

Prior to that, there were discussions of how to further freedom of journalism in Asia. It was decided that in the future, CAPI would raise its voice publicly in a newsflash to urgent issues of that field.

A new board was elected as part of the routine. The chairperson for the next three years will be Mrs. Myagmar Munkhamandakh (Press Institute of Mongolia) and Mr. Fazal Qureshi (Pakistan Press Foundation).

Updated 06/04/04

Agenda Asia

Organised by Asian News Network (ANN) and the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, ANN's annual conference, themed "Agenda Asia", was held on 9-11 February in Kuala Lumpur. The keynote speaker was the Malaysian Prime Minister, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. In his speech he addressed his stance on Corruption, Terrorism and what the "Agenda Asia" should be. The conference continued with the first press conference the PM has given up till now to the foreign press, in this case, the members of ANN. A panel discussion on "The New Asian Regionalism" with Professor Harold Crouch, Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies, Australia, Ms Zainah Anwar, Executive Director of Sisters of Islam, Dr. Prapat Thepchatree, Director, Centre of International Studies, and Ms Ng Phek Hoong, Member of Parliament, Singapore, followed. The Luncheon Speaker, Ong Ka Ting, Minister of Housing and Local Government and President of the Malaysian Chinese Association spoke on "Towards A New Asia" and the Dinner Talk was delivered by Nasharuddin Mat Isa, Secretary General of Parti Islam Se-Malaysia on "The Moderate Face of Islam in Asia".

Updated 17/02/04

11th Conference on Social Justice

The 11th Conference on Social Justice of the ESEA Local Government Network was successfully held on 3-4 December 2003 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Pasay City, thePhilippines. Representatives from several Southeast Asian countries presented papers on their respective countries. These include "Social Justice and Development in Cambodia" by Sok Hach, "Achieving Social Justice through Environmental Management" by Juhan Kim from South Korea, "Social Justice as a Component of Good Governance in Malaysia" by Dr Seng-Guan Yeoh from Malaysia, "Achieving Social Justice and Sustainable Development" by Ella S. Antonio from the Philippines, and "Social Justice in Thai Democracy" by Damrong Wattana from Thailand.

Updated 16/12/03

Panorama 1/2003

Issues of global, regional and domestic concerns have plagued Asia in 2003, driving home invaluable but hard lessons about regional co-operation and solidarity. Two key events that have direct impact in Asia are the Iraq war and the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in Asia. This issue of Panorama looks at the extent of how these two events affected Asia, and how the region is coping. In addition, the topics of aid and corruption as well as Korea's foreign aid policy are also examined. Also included in the Documents section is an information paper on the historical Free Trade Agreement between the United States and Singapore.

Updated 11/11/03

5th EU-ASEAN Think Tank Dialogue

Held on 6 - 7 October 2003 at the Hilton Hotel, Singapore, the 5th EU-ASEAN Think Tank Dialogue focused on four pertinent issues, namely: economic co-operation within ASEAN, political and security co-operation within ASEAN, the challenges and opportunities for ASEAN due to the enlarged EU and the current state of ASEAN-EU relations. At the end of the fruitful session, further recommendations for revitalising ASEAN-EU ties in the coming year were made.

Regional Seminary on Constitutional Jurisdiction in Asia

In line with recent developments in the discussion on the Rule of Law in Asia, the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung initiated and organised the first regional seminar of Asian constitutional court judges. Held in Jakarta, Indonesia from 8-9 September 2003, the event was co-organised by the recently established constitutional court of Indonesia. Its aim was to provide a basis for an institutionalised exchange of information between the constitutional court judges in Asia. Among those present are constitutional court judges from Thailand, Indonesia, Mongolia and Korea, as well as senior members and justices from the Constitutional Council of Cambodia and the Supreme Court of the Philippines.

On a long-term basis, the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung hopes to thus facilitate the continual exchange among the constitutional courts in Asia. The seminar is an overall success as the honourable judges not only agreed on publishing a common declaration but also expressed the wish to meet again on a regular basis.

Updated 22/09/03

Study Tour to Germany

A study tour for nine Asian journalists will be conducted from 15 - 25 September 2003, and will cover locations including Frankfurt, Berlin, Cologne and Brussels. Organised by Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, the study tour will include visits to the various media and political institutions, such as leading German newspaper offices and television stations, and meetings with their German media counterparts as well as political representatives.

Updated 16/09/03