Model ASEM 2014 Manual Model ASEM 2014 Manual as of 15 September 2014 1 Model ASEM 2014 8–12 October 2014 in Milan, Italy in conjunction with the 10 th ASEM Summit “Responsible Partnership for Sustainable Growth and Security” MODEL ASEM 2014 MANUAL Model ASEM is co-organised by the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF), the ASEF University Alumni Network (ASEFUAN) and Politecnico di Milano School of Management (SoM). ASEF’s share is supported by the Government of Japan.
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Model ASEM 2014 Manual
Model ASEM 2014 Manual as of 15 September 2014 1
Model ASEM 2014
8–12 October 2014 in Milan, Italy
in conjunction with the 10th ASEM Summit
“Responsible Partnership for
Sustainable Growth and Security”
MODEL ASEM 2014 MANUAL
Model ASEM is co-organised by the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF), the ASEF University Alumni
Network (ASEFUAN) and Politecnico di Milano School of Management (SoM).
ASEF’s share is supported by the Government of Japan.
Promoting economic growth, trade and investment facilitation
Food for Thought
According to the US National Intelligence Council, by 2030, “Asia will have surpassed North America and
Europe combined in terms of global power based upon GDP, population size, military spending and
technological investment”. Peace, a foundation stone of the region’s economic boom over the past 20
years, however, seems to be at risk given the regional arms race and several border disputes. Moreover,
two of the main inputs that fuelled the boom - labour and human capital - have become more expensive
as wages have been rising and the work forces of core economies like Japan, China, and South Korea
will soon peak or are already in decline. Asia’s success to date has also created a new set of challenges,
including the massive increase in carbon emissions, or, according to The Economist, the danger of a
“middle-income trap”, with weak institutions and a lack of innovation slowing down development.
In Europe, the financial crisis of 2008 and 2009 has significantly reduced the economic output. And
whilst the overall European recovery process is progressing, the GDP grew in the first months of 2014 by
just 0.3% across the 28-strong European Union and only 0.2% across the 18-state Euro area (Eurostat).
Furthermore, Europe, like Asia, is affected by rapid population ageing trends which are starting to lead to
major policy shifts and structural adjustments as European economies cannot sustain the welfare
systems that were put in place during the 1950s and 60s. Hence, economic and demographic
projections suggest that the influence of today's wealthiest economies will continue to lessen as other
countries and regional power blocs become increasingly important — economically, politically and
diplomatically (European Environment Agency).
Leading questions
1. In what areas can ASEM member countries meaningfully collaborate to create genuinely
sustainable growth in both regions?
2. What major policy lessons can Asia and Europe learn from the financial crisis and its aftermath? 3. Ageing trends in Europe and Asia are having a profound impact on their socio-economic
structure and future economic policy: where and how can they collaborate to address this? 4. How can SMEs in EU and Asia cooperate together to leveraging their economic power and
maximize their contribution to economic world?
5. How can Asia and Europe enhance business relations to foster economic integration and trade
for mutual economic prosperity? What are the obstacles?
Appendix 4: Leading Questions for Socio-cultural Pillar
Urbanization
Food for Thought
“For the first time in history, the majority of people worldwide live in towns or cities, a 21st-century global
phenomenon referred to as the arrival of the “urban millennium.” At the beginning of the 20th century,
less than 5% of the world's population lived in cities. Whereas, from 1950 to 1975, population growth
was more or less evenly divided between the urban and rural areas of the world, in the period since
1975, the balance has tipped dramatically in favour of urban growth. According to the 2009 UN Human
Development Report, urban growth rates averaged 2.6% per year between 1950 and 2007. In 2008,
over half of the world's population lived in urban areas, and, by 2050, this will have risen to 70%.
Urbanisation, described as “a collective term for a set of changes, which generally occur with the
appearance and expansion of large-scale coordinated activities in a society” (Tilly, 1964, p. 16), has
acquired top priority within, as well as outside, well-established disciplines dealing with the phenomenon
of urbanization; today it is a key topic in interdisciplinary analyses (e.g., economics, sociology, history,
philosophy, anthropology). Political decision makers at all levels call for research to address problems
linked to rapid urbanization, from migration, food price rises, climate change issues and resource
depletion, and conflict related to each of these problems from a perspective informed by a
multidimensional view of poverty, as expressed, for example, in the Millennium Development Goals. At
present, these problems are shaping our ideas about urbanization.”
(Anni Greve in Encyclopedia of Global Studies, 2002)
“Urban fringe, urban cluster, urban sprawl, “rurban,” and extended urban areas are among the terms
frequently used to identify and characterize the spatial patterns of the emerging urban landscapes.
Urbanization is linked with social and demographic changes such as smaller family sizes, occupational
specialization, and increased population densities. Ideally and typically, urbanization is tied with
increasing wealth and improved quality of life. While an urbanizing world has the potential to impart
extraordinary benefits—including an enhancement of the quality of life—to its citizens, it also faces
significant problems that include the degradation of environment and a challenge to urban
sustainability.”
(Debnath Mookherjee & George Pomeroy in Encyclopedia of Geography, 2010)
Leading questions
1. What are the priority issues that ASEM members should tackle linked to urbanization?
2. What could be concrete areas of cooperation? What strategies can ASEM members employ in order
to overcome the adverse effects of rapid urbanisation?
3. What are the mechanisms required to keep the rural areas attractive?
Model ASEM 2014 Manual
Model ASEM 2014 Manual as of 15 September 2014 21
Creative Economies
Food for Thought
“It was government more than the sector itself that placed the spotlight on the creative industries, which
draws upon the power and dynamic of culture. The idea of the economy and culture as opposites
consequently fell by the wayside and the emphasis came to lie on their mutual benefits.
The implicit philosophy is increasingly that culture and economy actually strengthen each other. The
application of economic principles can bolster the cultural sector, while the economy is becoming more
cultural. The quality of cultural products that are produced in a market environment is not – contrary to
what many perceive - inferior to culture that arises from government funding. Rather, entrepreneurship
can increase not only the resilience but also the autonomy of the cultural sector (and vice versa); it has
become clear that in many ways culture provides an impetus to the economy. The creative industries
have proven to be an economic growth sector. Culture brings a dynamic to cities, provides the raw
materials for identity, supports tourism, promotes creativity and creates an innovative environment in
which ground-breaking businesses flourish. Government stimulation of culture should no longer be seen
as the icing on the cake, a sort of luxury that the government can brush aside during an economic
downturn. Culture is an integral and essential aspect of an innovative, productive and self-aware society.
The rise of the concept of creative industries and, following on from this, the label of creative economy
highlight this. The consequence of this development, however, is that art and culture are increasingly
viewed from an economic perspective, and the danger is that innovation or economic policy will colonise
cultural policy. Such an imbalance would strip art and culture of their essential power and social role,
and would thus reduce their significance for the economy.”
(The Asia-Europe Foundation – Enabling Creative
Crossovers: Good practices in the Creative Industries, 2014)
Leading questions
1. How do ASEM members increase the attractiveness of using Culture as a tool for economic growth?
2. What are the policies required to support the growing trend of creative economies in order to
enhance the partnership and fusion between the private and public sector?
3. How does culture keep pace with the exponential growth of technological innovation?
Model ASEM 2014 Manual
Model ASEM 2014 Manual as of 15 September 2014 22
Education and skills development
Food for Thought
The UNESCO-led Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) forces are currently formulating a post-
2015 education agenda that will fit into the overall post-2015 development agenda. UNESCO proposes
that the goal of education beyond 2015 should be to “Ensure equitable quality education and lifelong
learning for all by 2030”. This goal is decomposed into specific targets covering different phases and
aspects of education (UNESCO, Position Paper on Education Post-2015: 4-9):
Priority area: Basic education
Target 1: All children participate in and complete a full cycle of free, compulsory and continuous quality
basic education of at least 10 years, including 1 year of pre-primary education, leading to relevant and
measurable learning outcomes based on national standards.
Priority Area: Post-secondary and tertiary education
Target 2: Increase transition to and completion of quality upper secondary education by x %, with all
graduates demonstrating relevant learning outcomes based on national standards Target 3: Tertiary education systems are expanded to allow qualified learners to access and complete
studies leading to a certificate, diploma or degree.
Priority area: Youth and adult literacy
Target 4: All youth and adults achieve literacy, numeracy and other basic skills at a proficiency level
necessary to fully participate in a given society and for further learning.
Priority area: Skills for work and life
Target 5: Increase by x% the proportion of youth (15-24 years) with relevant and recognised knowledge
and skills, including professional, technical and vocational, to access decent work.
Target 6: Increase by x% participation in continuing adult education and training programmes, with
recognition and validation of non-formal and informal learning.
Priority area: Quality and relevant Teaching and Learning
Target 7: Close the teachers’ gap by recruiting adequate numbers of teachers who are well-trained,
meet national standards and can effectively deliver relevant content, with emphasis on gender
balance. Target 8: All young people and adults have opportunities to acquire – supported by safe, gender-
responsive and inclusive learning environments – relevant knowledge and skills to ensure their
personal fulfilment and contribute to peace and the creation of an equitable and sustainable world.
Priority area: Financing of Education
Target 9: All countries progress towards allocating 6% of their Gross National Product (GNP) to
education and 20% of their government budget to education, prioritising groups most in need. Target 10: All donors progress towards allocating at least 20 % of their Official Development Assistance
(ODA) or its equivalent to education, prioritising countries and groups most in need.
Leading questions
1. Which goals are of high priority for ASEM members?
2. What are key obstacles to their implementation?
3. What policy & financial support can ASEM governments provide for the education sector education to
better equip the youth & adults with skills and knowledge which is demanded by employers and society?
Model ASEM 2014 Manual
Model ASEM 2014 Manual as of 15 September 2014 23
Appendix 5: Leading Questions for Public Health
Pandemic Influenza, risk communication
Background Information
Over the last 30 years, the world has witnessed a rapid globalisation with increased population mobility
and intertwined state economies. As a consequence of this phenomenon, we also experienced the
globalisation of public health threats. We never have had so many resources to deal with the threat of
communicable diseases, but paradoxically the risks of a major global health event have also never been
so high. Pandemic Influenza is an example of such a threat. In 2009, what started to be an outbreak of a
new subtype of Influenza virus (H1N1) in Mexico, quickly escalated to global proportions that affected all
continents. A worldwide pandemic response was set up with unprecedented promptitude and
organisation, led by the WHO and national governments. Fortunately, the severity of the Influenza subtype
was relatively mild and the consequences were not as serious as previously thought.
The 2009 Influenza Pandemic demonstrated how difficult it is to decide amidst the uncertainty, and how
to convey risks without causing social disruption or panic. It also raised ethical questions about prioritising
the access to vaccination when available. The drivers of a Pandemic Influenza event remain the same as
before. Therefore, sooner or later, we can expect another major health threat outbreak, like in 2009.
Today, the focus on “Pandemic Influenza” has shifted, given many other phenomena that pose global
health threats which cannot be ignored, including the Ebola Virus Disease or Vector-borne diseases.
Several aspects of global and national preparedness and response are similar between these health
threats, thus Pandemic Influenza serves as a case study.
Leading questions:
1. Given the current socio-economic and technological developments, what are the continuing or
potential risks for a future pandemic? What could be opportunities for Asia and Europe to advance risk
assessment of a future pandemic? 2. While a global-scale supply of medical supplies and human resources is urgently required in controlling
the current Ebola outbreak, there are also more needs for non-medical interventions. What are these
interventions, who could be the key players from Asia and Europe and what are their roles? 3. Following major public health emergencies over the past decades, the International Health Regulations
(IHR, 2005), a set of binding regulations, have been put in place taking effect since 15 June 2007.
However, not all IHR States Parties, including some ASEM members, have followed up on these. What
are the major obstacles to their implementation and how can these obstacles be tackled?
Model ASEM 2014 Manual
Model ASEM 2014 Manual as of 15 September 2014 24
[INSERT MEMBER
FLAG]
Appendix 6: Template for ASEM Member Brief
Please follow the template guidelines for the ASEM Member Brief. Grey colour coloured text
marks where the Delegates insert the researched and written information.
Model ASEM 2014
8–12 October 2014 in Milan, Italy
in conjunction with the 10th ASEM Summit
“Responsible Partnership for
Sustainable Growth and Security”
ASEM Member Brief
[INSERT COUNTRY NAME]
DEDICATE 1 PARAGRAPH TO GENERAL INFORMATION REGARDING THE ASEM MEMBER‘S
RELATION TO ASEM
ELABORATE ON ASEM ENGAGEMENT, E.G. PREVIOUS ASEM-RELATED MEETINGS AND
EVENTS ORGANISED BY THE ASEM MEMBER/ HELD IN THE MEMBER COUNTRY,
SUPPORT PROVIDED/OFFERED TO ASEM
FINISH MEMBER BRIEF BY A SHORT PROSPECTIVE OUTLOOK ON HOW THE ASEM
MEMBER ENVISIONS THE DEVELOPMENT OF ASEM AND WHY
REMEMBER TO USE OFFICIAL INFORMATION IN ORDER TO BE ACCURATE (PLEASE
FOLLOW THE RESEARCH GUIDELINES ON SECTION 3.3)
MAXIMUM 750 WORDS
FACTS:
YEAR OF ASEM ACCESSION: [INSERT]
CAPITAL CITY: [INSERT]
POPULATION: [INSERT]
CURRENCY: [INSERT]
Model ASEM 2014 Manual
Model ASEM 2014 Manual as of 15 September 2014 25
[INSERT MEMBER
FLAG]
Appendix 7: Template for Statement by ASEM Member for Plenary Session
Please follow the template guidelines for the Statement by ASEM Member. Note that the grey
colour text marks where the Delegates insert the researched and written information.
Model ASEM 2014
8–12 October 2014 in Milan, Italy
in conjunction with the 10th ASEM Summit
“Responsible Partnership for
Sustainable Growth and Security”
Official Statement
[INSERT COUNTRY NAME]
INSERT THE 3-MINUTE SPEECH OF THE OFFICIAL STATEMENT BY YOUR DELEGATION
EACH HEAD OF DELEGATION WILL PRESENT THE WRITTEN SPEECH ON 10 OCTOBER
THE STATEMENT BY ASEM MEMBERS SHOULD REMAIN UNDISCLOSED UNTIL THE
PRESENTATION
Model ASEM 2014 Manual
Model ASEM 2014 Manual as of 15 September 2014 26
[INSERT MEMBER
FLAG]
Appendix 8: Template for Statement by ASEM Member for Working Group
Please follow the template guidelines for the Working Group Statement. Note that the grey colour
text marks where the Delegates insert the researched and written information.
Model ASEM 2014
8–12 October 2014 in Milan, Italy
in conjunction with the 10th ASEM Summit
“Responsible Partnership for
Sustainable Growth and Security”
Statement for Working Group
[INSERT COUNTRY NAME]
EACH DELEGATE PREPARES AND DRAFTS HIS/HER STATEMENT FOR THE WORKING
GROUP INDIVIDUALLY
THE WORKING GROUP STATEMENT HAS TO BE UPLOADED UNDER THE CORRECT
WORKING GROUP THREAD AT THE ONLINE FORUM
MAXIMUM 1 PAGE
Model ASEM 2014 Manual
Model ASEM 2014 Manual as of 15 September 2014 27
This is a dynamic document and we appreciate your feedback. In case you require further crucial information on administrative and technical issues, we will update the document accordingly and upload on the Model ASEM 2014 online forum.
Model ASEM is co-organised by the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF), the ASEF University Alumni
Network (ASEFUAN) and Politecnico di Milano School of Management (SoM).
ASEF’s share is supported by the Government of Japan.