BY DARREN WEE Supplement Writer Historians agree that the 19th century belonged to the British, the 20th century belonged to America, and now the 21st century is being hailed as the Asian century — the advent of a new, multipolar world order. But are these predictions premature? Sure, the rising GDP figures are undeniable but to create an economic system comparable with the U.S. or Europe, Asia needs to rely on more than only cheap exports. Creative industries also need to be developed, South Korea is well aware of the relationship between culture, creativity and economic growth. South Korea and Japan along with the U.S. were the three countries with the most new patents last year but when will China and the rest of Asia catch up? The possible scenarios for Asia in 2060 are endless. An Asian Union united by a common set of values and worldview is just as likely as an Asia at war with itself. Asia remains a continent fraught with conflict. A fine balance exists between the two Koreas, China and Taiwan, India and Pakistan — the list goes on and on. Often this balance is kept from tipping only by the supervision of Western bodies, or threats of trade embargoes. Patriarchal feudalism still exists in many of Asia’s most modern nations, see Japan for example. Women need equal participation in the economy and state to maximize efficiency. Propping up this system is a passive civil society that puts too much importance on personal wealth rather than personal freedom. Although its traditionalism is the source of many of Asia’s woes, it is also the potential competitive edge Asia has over Western determinism. Eastern wisdom has become a bankable commodity in the West — where Yoga and Chinese medicine are thriving economic activities — and is being applied to all manner of academic and professional fields. The Asian work ethic, Confucian respect for civil society and Asian collectivism were largely responsible for the rise of the Four Asian Tigers. It is these values that unite rather than divide Asia, and lay the foundation for an Asian Union with a common currency and a center of governance, perhaps Singapore. Asia, home of some of the world’s most diverse ecosystems and most threatened species, is having something of an environmental crisis. Economic success is too often measured by quantity of production and economic indicators rather than sustainability. Ignoring carbon emissions in favor of immediate results should not overshadow long-term economic planning and environmental protection. While Asian cities compete for the world’s tallest building, governments in the West are already innovating eco-friendly, garden cities. Traffic pollution and urbanization needs to be kept in check otherwise Asia could fall into the trap of inheriting second-hand economic models handed down by the West. Whether China is to be the next superpower, or India will have the biggest market by 2060, Asia is without a doubt the most exciting region of the world right now. Yes, the numbers are impressive, but they don’t even tell half the story. Tamkang University (淡江大學), with their friends from the Foundation for the Future in Seattle and Kyung Hee University in Seoul, will be addressing the issues underlying these numbers this week. From Nov. 3 to 5, a three-day international conference with the theme “Global Transitions and Asia 2060: Climate, Political-Economy, and Identity” will be held at their Danshui campus. Three sub-themes: “Asia at the carbon crossroads,” “Asia and the new models of economy and governance — towards an Asian Union,” and “Asian identity in transition, transformation,” will be debated face-to- face by authorities in different fields from universities all over Asia and the Asia- Pacific region. Although the workshop is by invitation only, the findings will be available on their sponsors’ websites. Printed copies will also be made available.