A forum for the future 淡江大小事

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A forum for the future

Date 2010-11-04 5710 Clicks

FENG, WEN-HSING

The movie “2012” depicts a future scenario, in which a flood ravages the Earth, and only a select few survive by boarding a specially designed “arc”. Although just a movie, “2012” raises issues related to our collective future, including concerns about human rights, a plummeting birthrate, and the state of the world’s natural ecosystems. Such concerns can no longer be resolved by one country alone.

With this in mind, Tamkang University invited America’s Foundation For the Future (FFF), and Korea’s Kyung Hee University, to hold a joint seminar on the theme “Global Transitions and Asia 2060: Climate, Political-Economy, and Identity”. The seminar will be held at the Ching-sheng International Conference Hall from 4-5 Nov.

One important goal of the seminar is to draft inter-regional cooperative agreements aimed at reducing carbon emissions in Asia. It is also a chance to discuss the possibility of regional cooperation and a blurring of national barriers to form an Asian equivalent of the European Union. The format of the seminar will differ from previous years. In the past, a speaker would stand on stage and tell the audience about his or her opinions and ideas, thus precluding the chance for a mutual exchange of knowledge. This time, however, participants will be divided into groups and will engage in discussion while seated around circular tables. This will allow for a greater interflow of ideas and perspectives.

The primary topics to be explored involve climate change, globalization, new information and communication technologies, and the rapid changes occurring right now in Asia. The seminar is not only a forum for the interchange of ideas, but also a symbolic step toward establishing a beneficial and lasting Asian Union.

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