GUANGZHOU - For entering into the third decade, greater visibility and rebranding of ASEM themes, strategies and philosophy are basic requirements and if proper homework is undertaken, the Ulan Bator 11th Summit could be a game-changer to accomplish what could not be achieved so far.
This was stated by several delegates on the second day of ASEM Media Dialogue on Connectivity yesterday. Some made laudatory remarks about the achievements of ASEM while others criticised the progress made so far. However, the opinion that prevailed was that some steps taken were better than no steps at all. One of the delegates went on to say that instead of expecting 100 percent accomplishment of goals, whatever could be done was better.
The participants felt that it was time to focus on translating themes, objectives and plans into reality and practical measures and action should be formulated.
It was not fair to compare ASEM (Asia-Europe Meeting) with other regional organizations like ASEAN, G-8, G-20 and European Union because the fundamental challenge was to bring two continents, Asia and Europe, together like Europe and the United States.
This was the consensus that emerged among the participants of the ASEM Media Dialogue on Connectivity, Promoting Public Awareness and Partnership after two-day deliberations in this Chinese city which these days is buzzing with diplomatic activities as several delegations are here to attend different conferences, seminars and workshops.
The participants of this 53-member body, including the European Union, were divided into different groups and each one of them deliberated on different subjects, whose moderators made their presentations in the closing ceremony on Tuesday and the same would later be made part of the ASEM’s official documents.
It was felt that proper utilisation of the social media could be a valuable tool for promoting aims and objectives of ASEM despite the fact that some of the speakers expressed their reservations. The Belgian delegate who also acted as a moderator of one group thought that social media at times unites people, but mostly it acts negatively dividing people.
Great emphasis was laid on promoting people-to-people contacts while a delegate argued that people-to-people travel could be difficult due to visa restrictions, but social media did not require any visa and could reach out to people across the globe. Another delegate was of the view that people-to-people contacts were the key to success and could help achieve tangible results.
A delegate proposed that at the time of Mongolian Summit, a roundtable conference of senior editors from Asia and Europe be organized and an opportunity be afforded to them to interact with top ASEM political leaders who would be heading delegations of their respective countries. He pleaded that journalists were capable of ensuring connectivity which was the subject of the Guangzhou moot.
Sultan Hali, a member of Pakistani delegation, speaking as a moderator of a group, said establishing a news portal of ASEM would help collaborate in telling each other stories that would be spread among other member countries of this vital forum. This would also help improve the contents about ASEM.
He stressed the need that ASEM should think and review its strength, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT), adding it was an urgent need to make the media as a stakeholder. He added that in his group as well, suggestions were initiated to set up ASEM news portal and encouraging exchanges in various fields and at different levels.
A European delegate proposed that ASEM’s content should be shared with Facebook, YouTube and Twitter, calling for urgently setting up a news portal.
Russian delegate was reluctant about the enhanced role of the media, saying it depended in whose hand it was. “If a surgeon uses the media, he would save lives and if a military dictator or a bad politician uses it, they may end up killing millions of people,” he argued. He affirmed there have been risks for Europe’s investment in Asia and greater effort was required to remove these risks without which ASEM target could not be achieved.
Shahbaz Rana, another member of the Pakistani delegation, spoke daringly that there were apprehensions in the minds of smaller states against bigger partners in ASEM. Equality among members alone would help further the cause of ASEM.
Vietnamese delegate stressed the need for formulating a comprehensive strategy on how to react to global challenges and added that ASEM member states should liberalise trade. “If we don’t make ASEM care about people, no one would care about ASEM,” he warned.
He called for sustainable investment in vital fields, including education, tourism, trade and exchanges of people among ASEM member countries. “We must reduce biases and prejudices if we wish to achieve our goal,” he added.
A delegate proposed that ASEM should organise international competitions in the fields of sports, education and tourism. “Let there be song competitions and let there be flow of scholarships. People should not visit each other’s country to do shopping alone,” he asserted.