Introduction

Details
Schedules and Venues
Workshops
Plenaries
Fees and Aid
Speakers

Economic Growth in Asia and its Social Consequences

Led by Yue Tan David Tang, Department of Economics, Harvard University 

Economic growth is usually discussed in terms of supply and demand curves, social infrastructure, monetary policies, and other economic ideas verified by graphs and equations. Analysis focuses on the keys to economic growth in order to achieve broader future development. However, increased economic prosperity does not arrive without larger societal ramifications. An increase in economic power not only produces more cars and movie theaters, but it also impacts the culture and lifestyles of the society in question. Other collateral effects of economic growth include larger social problems, such as income inequality, and, in many cases, degradation of the environment. Solutions to these problems must be formulated, but solving them by sacrificing the economy is usually impractical and unnecessary. These problems should be addressed with as little distortion of the market or sacrifice of growth as possible.

In this workshop, we will discuss Asia's economic growth not simply for the sake of analyzing the economics behind its rapid achievements. Instead, we will focus on the relationship between the growing economy and its affiliated social consequences. In particular, we will seek to examine the economic impacts on social discrepancy, environment, and culture, as well as explore economically viable solutions to problems in these areas.

Leadership in the 21^st Century: An Exploration of Leadership Ideals Across Asian Societies

Led by Shannon Ashford, Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University

In this workshop, participants will discuss and analyze the spheres in which leaders operate and characterizations of leadership in Asia, presently and throughout history. The goal is that the participants will use the sessions as mechanisms to discuss how they, as young adults, intend to re-define the future of leadership as they pursue work in various sectors and as they grapple with how to solve the world's most pressing problems. Participants will be encouraged to talk about leadership in the context of their specific countries, as well as be encouraged to distill some general notions relative to leadership in Asian countries. The workshop will provide students with an outlet to formulate and communicate their ideas of what leadership is and what it should be.  It will also encourage students to become more interested in leadership development as a practice.

Participants will engage professionals from government, academia, non-profits, and business about their leadership choices. Samples of the topics that participants will examine include: Can leadership be taught or is it innate? Does gender affect one's ability to be a good leader?  What are the challenges of leadership?  Are followers important to leadership? How have forms of communication in the 21^st century impacted how leaders communicate? 

Social Policy in Asia: Development and Innovations

Led by Kathleen Lynch, Graduate School of Education, Harvard University

As 2015, the target date for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, approaches, significant challenges remain to achieving these goals in Asia-Pacific. Some of the region's poorest countries have made significant progress, yet despite this success there are still 641 million people in Asia living on less than $1 per day. This workshop will examines the roles of diverse players including governments, international organizations, NGOs and the private sector in addressing the well-being of populations at risk. It will examine in particular Asia's progress toward meeting the Millennium Development Goals of eradicating extreme poverty and hunger, achieving universal primary education, promoting gender equality, and combating HIV/AIDS and other diseases. The workshop will examine patterns of social policy development around these goals in different Asian countries, and consider recent developments and innovations in these areas. Delegates will be exposed to the academic and policy debates surrounding poverty alleviation and inequality in Asia.

Interests, Institutions, and Identities: Understanding Security Issues in East Asia

Led by Yongwook Ryu, Department of Government, Harvard University

The Security Workshop aims to accomplish better understanding of the regional security landscape through active discussion of several key security issues in the region. There will be four issues we will be examining. Two of them are more conventional security issues such as North Korean nuclear issue and the rise of China. The other two are related to regional institutions and regionalization of security issues.

Besides the academic discussions, we will also having interactive activities among the participants. There are two such activities. One is known as crisis game, a game in which a simulated crisis situation is given and the participants have to resolve the crisis through diplomacy and negotiation without resort to violence. The other is analysis of causal relationships for a given security issue. In other words, we will be analyzing what factors cause a particular security crisis, and what factors are likely to lead to the resolution of the crisis.

We will also hope to tour the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia, and hear the official explanation on the territorial disputes Malaysia has been involved in with her neighbors, and why she decided to resolve some through the arbitration of the International Court of Justice. All in all, the workshop promises to be an exciting venue to explore regional security issues with variety of activities and discussions, and with many distinguished speakers.

In Pursuit of Justice: New Developments in the Rule of Law in Asia

Led by Kim Smaczniak, Harvard Law School & Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University

The rule of law is a promise of access to social justice, of protection from arbitrary use of power, and fair and equal treatment of all citizens. This promise has been realized at best imperfectly by any civilization, and Asia is no exception in its struggle to improve the rule of law. The poor universally face higher barriers to access to justice; lack of judicial independence and transparency in government action further impede justice. While each nation must seek out its own approach, based within its unique historical and cultural traditions, to the rule of law, the effects of globalization are such that the failure to institute rule of law spill out beyond national borders. Regional instability, transnational crimes, and environmental degradation are all manifestations of failed rule of law that do not stop at national boundaries. In order to fulfill the promise of social justice, nations increasingly look to regional and international standards and mechanisms to supplement national laws.

This workshop focuses on developments and continued challenges in the rule of law in Asia, as it impacts access to social justice in particular. What does rule of law mean to the poor laborer, to women facing unequal expectations, to the child illegally trafficked across borders? Is national, regional, and international attention to the concept of "rule of law" justified, and does it lead to real benefits to those people affected? Moreover, as the economic might and influence of the region grows, what will be the impact of the Asian approach to the rule of law on those who fall beneath that influence, both within the region and beyond? Can national standards of corporate accountability or regional and international legal mechanisms limit, for example, the social and environmental impacts of increased demand for natural resources by fast growing economies? What are the limits to the role the rule of law can play in assuring access to social justice?

This workshop begins with an overview of the aspects of the rule of law in Asia and its recent developments, including discussion of new national and regional legal mechanisms such as business codes of conduct and the growth of legal institutions. The workshop continues by exploring concrete linkages between rule of law and access to justice, relying on local experiences in Vietnam in particular. Participants will learn from examples ranging from labor disputes, to gender issues and sexual trafficking.

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