On the occasion of the 9th ASEM Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, ASEF has organised the 5th Asia-Europe Journalists’ Seminar on 23 and 24 May 2009 in Hanoi, Vietnam.
 
The current global financial and economic crisis is the worst since the Great Depression, with wideranging political and social implications. Beyond on-going national responses, there is recognition that enhanced international cooperation is urgently required to address the systemic issues arising from the crisis. Given that the crisis has exposed serious shortcomings in the global architecture, there is much debate about a new Bretton Woods, or more broadly a new world order, though as yet with little clarity as to what this might constitute. In the meanwhile, there is growing evidence of economic nationalism and with it, protectionism.

The 5th Asia-Europe Journalists’ Seminar explored the broader implications for Asia and Europe as a result of this crisis as well as the opportunities for greater cooperation between the two regions in addressing its various impacts.

The Seminar started with a public lecture  entitled, “Regional Economic Cooperation - Ten Years of Monetary Union in Europe - Evolution and Challenges for Cooperation in East Asia" on 23 May. The following day consisted of two sessions.  The morning session is entitled, “Implications of the Global Crisis for Asia and Europe” while the afternoon session is entitled, “Will the crisis move us towards greater multilateralism?” In each session, there were two presentations.  Following the presentations, the moderator led a free flow discussion amongst all participants. The discussion among participants considered, among other issues, the following:

1. Asia was earlier thought to be relatively immune to the crisis, mistakenly as it turns out. What implications does this have for the developmental model(s) of Asia? To what extent will this crisis be a catalyst towards regionalisation in Asia?
2. Europe is addressing the crisis both through its regional institutions, and at the national levels. What are the challenges to the EU, as a regional entity, arising from the crisis? Going forward, how will the crisis affect the evolution of the Union?
3. What is the likely shape of a post-crisis world, and what would be the main driving forces?
4. What are the underlying strengths in Asia and Europe in countering the crisis. How can the two regions cooperate and demonstrate leadership in order to expedite global recovery?

The Seminar brought together 23 editors and eminent senior journalists from leading media organisations of both Asia and Europe.  Distinguished policymakers addressed the participating journalists during this two-day meeting.  After the Seminar, participants were invited to stay on to cover the 9th ASEM Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.

Documents relating to the 5th Journalists' Seminar are available for download below. Please check back on this page for the publication of the final report and other project updates.