The U.C.Bulletin March 2010 Edition, Volume 6 th 6 Asia Economic Forum C O N T E N T S Examining Asia’s Opportunities and Challenges 4 Opening of SEATV Bridges series - Nobel 5 Laureate Prof. Gross Bridges series - Nobel 6 Laureate Prof. Maskin Bridges series - Mr. 8 Oliver Stone Bridges series - Nobel 9 Laureate Prof. Wiesel Best Foundation Year 12 students, Term I Academic performance Samdech Techo Prime Minister Hun Sen opened the 6th AEF with his keynote report for 2008-2009 address, “ASEAN’s Strategic Role in the Future of Asia.” 14 Hundreds of delegates gathered for the 6th tion to minimize the cost of production and Cambodia’s pottery Asia Economic Forum (AEF), “Maximizing stimulate consumption. This has larger im- industry Asia’s Strategic Roles in the World: Opportu- plications for the region as well, since Asia 16 nities, Challenges, and Future Prospects,” at stands to emerge as an increasingly influential Debate on climate the Raffles Le Royal Hotel in Phnom Penh on region in the global economy in the upcom- session January 20-21, 2010. With an impressive list ing years. 18 of distinguished speakers, the two-day forum In examining Asia’s year in review, H.E. explored Asia’s strategic role in the global Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, UC President and Sec- 4th UC Student Senate market and addressed economic, political, retary of State for the Ministry of Foreign Mandate social, and environmental issues affecting na- Affairs and International Cooperation, noted 20 tional and regional development as countries the significance of the Charter for ASEAN continue to recover from one of the worst and stressed the need for countries to move UC signs MOU with UNJANI global recessions in recent times. forward in implementing the Charter so that 24 Samdech Techo Prime Minister Hun Sen ASEAN can take a leadership role in the re- opened the event with a keynote address that gion and worldwide. applauded the achievements made over the “ASEAN has evolved from being an asso- The University of Cambodia past few years, notably the strengthening of ciation to being a community with an identity, 145 Preah Norodom Blvd. an ASEAN community, and presented sever- which belongs to the people rather than just P.O. Box 166 al tasks for the ASEAN community to work the governments,” stated Dr. Kao. He contin- Phnom Penh, The Kingdom of Cambodia jointly on to strengthen the region’s competi- ued, “It needs to be people-centered with a Telephone: (855-23) 993-274, 993-275, tiveness. To bolster national economic inte- single market in order to attract investment.” 993-276 gration and development, he recommended Promoting the progress of the econo- Fax: (855-23) 993-284 that the region expand the infrastructures my and trade in Asia was the first of several Email: [email protected] of finance, trade, investment, agriculture, major themes that emerged throughout the www.uc.edu.kh tourism, and transportation within each na- seven plenary sessions and also mirrored the (AEF - Continued on page 2) University N E W S TOP LEFT: Samdech Techo Prime Minister Hun Sen was poised before the audience. TOP RIGHT: Dr. Haruhisa Handa engaged with the audience during the session. BOTTOM LEFT: Dr. Angus Munro (VP for Academic Affairs) thanked H.E. Ambas- sador Wang Xuexian for his participation on the distin- guished panel. BOTTOM RIGHT: Audience members packed the room for the sessions. (AEF - Continued from page 1) tasks Samdech Techo Prime Minister Hun Expanding on the theme of economic and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) Sen outlined in his opening address. H.E. progress, but also touching upon another in rural areas, two mechanisms the Royal Ambassador Ong Keng Yong, former Secre- major theme of poverty alleviation, H.E. Government of Cambodia (RGC) has intro- tary-General of ASEAN, made several rec- Ambassador Wang Xuexian offered three duced to alleviate poverty in the nation. Mr. ommendations on this issue, ranging from promising recommendations to increase the Douglas Broderick, United Nations Resi- encouraging ASEAN countries to commit to region’s competitiveness and sustain devel- dent Coordinator, continued with a review capital market liberalization (a relaxation of opment: 1) restructure the economic system of the Millennium Development Goals and government restrictions) to increasing do- so the focus includes wealth distribution offered several tangible recommendations mestic demand and consumption. Countries within a nation instead of merely overall to reduce the inequality gap and the conse- should change their investment and finan- economic growth, 2) reform the income dis- quent social problems resulting from pov- cial rules and regulations to accommodate tribution system between trading nations so erty. First, countries should improve gender foreign companies and investors since they “For any nation to equity so women have improved educational can bring significant growth and benefits to and economic opportunities, and - equally ASEAN countries, he argued. Furthermore, prosper it must look as important - are protected from violence Cambodia has a capacity and ability gap in after, care for, nourish, and exploitation. Second, countries should addition to its development gap, so Cambo- implement programs that are proactive rath- dia and other similar countries need to “mo- and educate people. It er than reactive, so that the system aims to bilize their abundant human resources.” is not only good ethics, reduce poverty instead of merely treating Opportunities for economic recovery for but it is also good problems of poverty. Next, countries need ASEAN include strengthening relationships to improve health services and access to with the United States, European Union, business as well.” health services. And lastly, countries need to and two rapid growth countries in Asia, improve governance by fighting corruption Lord George Carey, China and India. Dr. Phan Phalla, Deputy Former Archbishop of Canterbury and respecting human rights. Secretary-General of the Supreme National Other speakers addressed critical issues Economic Council, suggested that nations Asian countries retain a greater share of the related to poverty, including economic in- diversify their economies, export markets profits from their exports than developed equity, food security, energy security, and and domestic demand, and create outward nations, and 3) develop tertiary (service) communicable diseases. The ASEAN com- policies to enhance regional purchasing industries aimed at improving productivity munity must continue to cooperate on these power and demand, while Mr. Douglas Clay- and performance. issues and integrate frameworks to manage ton (Managing Partner at Leopard Capital) In the session on poverty and the de- these challenges. Some solutions presented highlighted private sector capital as a useful velopment gap, H.E. Son Koun Thor (Ad- included enriched education and training source of development capital and noted visor to Samdech Techo Prime Minister programs, as well as social programs focused that the region offers attractive investment Hun Sen and Chairman and CEO of Rural on job creation and income-generating op- opportunities because the economies are Development Bank) discussed public invest- portunities. open to entice investors who can come in ment programs focused on social service The next major theme in the confer- early with little competition. development and microfinance services ence centered on peace and security. Prime 2 (AEF - Continued on page 3) University N E W S TOP: (left to right) Dr. Har- uhisa Handa (Chancellor of UC) and H.E. Dr. Kao Kim Editor’s Note: Hourn (President of UC and Student leadership development Secretary of State for the is critical to building and sustaining a Ministry of Foreign Affairs and healthy, vigorous learning community. International Cooperation) Along with research and knowledge sharing, universities around the world answered questions from the have made student leadership develop- audience. ment one of their priorities. They hope to develop future leaders in commu- nities and countries by encouraging BOTTOM: H.E. Ambassador students to apply their knowledge and skills in ways that help make this world Ong Keng Yong (left), Former more peaceful, healthy, efficient, and Secretary-General of ASEAN, just. discussed Asia’s year in review It is no longer sufficient for stu- in Plenary Session I, which dents to demonstrate academic excel- Lord George Carey (right) lence alone. To meet the demands of a global job market and be competitive, chaired. students must be leaders both within (AEF - Continued from page 2 ) and outside of a classroom. They need to be technology savy, able to think Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen identified sideration in global discussions and policy critically and creatively, capable of regional peace, political stability, and security development, echoing a point raised earlier working effectively independently and as necessary elements for ASEAN to sustain in Samdech Techo Prime Minister Hun Sen’s in teams, and able to communicate in its development, and Ambassador Wang opening speech. a logical manner and through multiple Xuexian agreed, saying, “There is a need During the plenary session, Mr. Lay representations, to name a few skills. for political harmony between nations, with Kim, Team Leader at the United Nations Those who innovate and have flexible economic cooperation in order to achieve a Development Program, highlighted how problem-solving approaches will likely win-win situation.” To build