Diplo supports the Asia-Europe Meeting process
With the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) summit just ahead, many activities this month focused on the ASEM process. Diplo participated in the launch of the ASEF Outlook Report 2016/2017, which took place on 7 July, and trained more than 130 young people from ASEM countries during the 7th Model ASEM summit ( 6-10 July) in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
A panel to mark the launch of the 3rd ASEF Outlook Report brought together Ambassador Luvsantseren Orgil (ASEM Senior Official for Mongolia), Mr Marco Ferri (Minister Counsellor, Political Section, EU Delegation to China), Dr Yu Fei (Tsinghua University and ASEF University Alumni Network), and Ms Rebecca Stetter (ASEF Outlook Report Project Coordinator) on 7 July. Representing DiploFoundation, Dr Katharina Höne spoke about digital connectivity in the Asia-Europe context and introduced DiploFoundation’s contribution to the Outlook Report. On the topic of digital connectivity, Diplo director Dr Jovan Kurbalija contributed a key chapter, From Harmonising Cyberpolicies to Promoting Twiplomacy: How Diplomacy Can Strengthen Asia-Europe’s Digital Connectivity, to the report. In this chapter, Kurbalija argues that digital connectivity needs to be understood through three dimensions: geopolitics, international policy, and diplomatic activities. While a lot remains to be done, greater cooperation in all three areas is not only necessary but desirable to foster Asia-Europe relations.
Diplo also supported the 7th Model ASEM summit. More than 130 young people representing nearly all of the 53 ASEM partners came together in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, to simulate the ASEM summit process and to build bridges between Asia and Europe. Höne lectured on diplomacy and negotiation and supported the activities during the ASEM summit simulation. The 7th Model ASEM concluded with the chair’s statement, 20 Years of ASEM: Partnership for the Future through Connectivity, which Model ASEM participants presented to the State Secretary of Mongolia.
Diplo regularly supports the ASEM process, in cooperation with ASEF, through its Asia-Europe public diplomacy initiative. The 4th online course on public diplomacy in Asia-Europe relations just concluded and the 4th face-to-face workshop is planned for December 2016 in The Hague. The corresponding handbook will be published by the end of the summer and will be formally presented during the face-to-face meeting in December.
The Outlook Report was coordinated by ASEF and the Model ASEM summit was organised by ASEF’s Education Department under Ms Leonie Nagarajan.
This month, Asia is at the centre of many Diplo initiatives. Learn more about Diplo’s activities in Asia.
