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Annual
Report
2015

CULTURE

CULTURE

ASEF promotes various forms of cultural cooperation between Asia and Europe including policy dialogue, bi-regional networks and artistic collaborations. It fosters sustainable partnerships between Asian and European arts organisations, while also facilitating dialogue between the arts sector and government agencies responsible for culture.

ECONOMY

ECONOMY

ASEF addresses both current economic issues and long-term trends impacting Asian and European societies in line with ASEM’s political agenda concerning the current international financial and economic situation across ASEM constituencies. Currently, ASEF’s work on economy focuses on the following priorities: post-crisis developments in Asia and Europe; the concept of sustainable growth; and the impact of migration policies on the socio-economic welfare of labour migrants.

EDUCATION

EDUCATION

ASEF has set in motion projects which contribute to education policy dialogue and facilitate youth networks. Through interdisciplinary and pragmatic approaches as well as the integration of ICT as an essential component, ASEF’s education projects strengthen collaboration between education institutions, exchange among young people and link them to the ASEM Education Process and ASEM Leaders’ Meetings.

GOVERNANCE

GOVERNANCE

Respect for human rights, rule of law, effective participation, and accountability of public institutions are some areas that lay the foundation for good governance. ASEF encourages informal, open and non-confrontational dialogue between government and civil society representatives in this field, through its current project series on human rights, public diplomacy, and democratisation and justice.

PUBLIC HEALTH

PUBLIC HEALTH

The ASEM Initiative for the Rapid Containment of Pandemic Influenza was launched in 2009 by ASEM leaders to combat the Influenza A (H1N1) and possible human influenza pandemics. ASEF’s work in the area of Public Health is designed to achieve 2 objectives of the ASEM Initiative: to create a platform to address public health issues across Asia and Europe, and to build up a stockpile of anti-viral drugs and personal protective equipment.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Since its inception, ASEF has initiated several dialogue platforms on sustainable development and climate change issues in Asia and Europe. Reflecting priorities of the ASEM Process and needs from stakeholders at international, regional, and national levels, ASEF’s programmes in this field focus on contributing to the global debate on the post-2015 development agenda and climate change policy.