On September 5-6, 2017, Far Eastern Federal University will host Second Russia- ASEAN University Forum “Russia-ASEAN 2017: new horizons for mutual cooperation”. The event will be conducted as part of the Third Eastern Economic Forum (EEF). The Eastern Economic Forum is held annually in Vladivostok since 2015. It represents a platform for broadening and enhancing Russia’s engagement with the Asia-Pacific. Given the positive dynamics of Russia’s relations with the member-states of Association of Southeast Asian Nations and their great potential, Russia-ASEAN cooperation has become one of the major topics of the EEF’s agenda.
University Forum “Russia-ASEAN 2017: new horizons for mutual cooperation” is co- organized by Far Eastern Federal University and Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO-University). It will continue the dialogue started at the Russia-ASEAN University Forum held at the EEF-2016 which proved high level of mutual interest and highlighted great prospects for cooperation in a wide range of areas, including education and broader socio-cultural engagement. Building on last year’s success, University Forum “Russia- ASEAN 2017: new horizons for mutual cooperation” will focus on the most promising spheres of Russia-ASEAN partnership such as economy, education, science and culture.
The Forum will include Plenary Session, followed by four Special Sections:
University Forum “Russia-ASEAN 2017: new horizons for mutual cooperation” will bring together participants from Russia and ASEAN – high-level government officials, diplomats, university executives, business people, scholars and experts.
Address by MGIMO-University Rector Anatoly Torkunov to Russia — ASEAN University Forum participants
Established in 1996, Russia-ASEAN dialogue partnership has proven its value and utility for both parties. Currently the priority is to intensify cooperation further and, building upon the firm foundation of our achievements, propel the relationship to the higher level of mutually beneficial strategic partnership. This goal is set forth in the Sochi Declaration of the ASEAN-Russian Federation Commemorative Summit to Mark the 20th Anniversary of ASEAN-Russian Federation Dialogue Partnership “Moving Towards a Strategic Partnership for Mutual Benefit”. Since then, our relations have reached a number of milestones, for instance, the free-trade agreement between the Eurasian Economic Union and Vietnam entered into force.
Russia and ASEAN intrinsically need each other. Geopolitically, both share an interest in securing multi-polar world order where Russia and ASEAN would act as self-reliant powers. Economically, the Eurasian Economic Union and ASEAN represent mutually attractive markets. In terms of humanitarian cooperation, both Russia and ASEAN advocate sociocultural diversity and inter-civilizational dialog. The participants are welcome to ponder how Russia-ASEAN relations can derive maximum benefit from our converging fundamental interests.
Special economic zones, free ports, free economic zones, industrial and technology parks represent an important tool, which Southeast Asian export- oriented economies use to promote their economic development. If organized efficiently, these advanced development zones attract considerable foreign direct investment, create jobs and facilitate improvements in other areas. According to UNIDO, ASEAN is home to more than a thousand special economic zones of various types. Without doubt, ASEAN countries have accumulated invaluable expertise in this area, and it may prove useful for the Russian Far East. The participants will discuss the prospects for cooperation between ASEAN and special economic zones emerging in the Russian Far East. One of the cases for discussion is potential cooperation between free ports of Subic Bay (the Philippines) and Vladivostok (Russia).
Mutual perception is a major factor facilitating or impeding productive international cooperation. Russians share a mostly positive image of ASEAN member states, the same holds true for the image of Russia in most ASEAN countries. Yet, admittedly these images are rather blurred and stereotype-heavy. Ordinary people and elites of both Russia and ASEAN know very little about their counterparts and encounter difficulties in building mutual understanding. The participants are invited to discuss how Russia and ASEAN countries can understand their partners better by learning more about each other through academic and cultural exchanges, mass media and other channels of public and interpersonal contacts.
The Philippines is one of the largest Southeast Asian nations with a population exceeding 100 million people. Annual economic growth of 6% makes the Philippines one of the world’s most rapidly developing countries. Throughout the past decade Russo-Filipino contacts have been limited. The situation noticeably changed in 2016, when President Rodrigo Duderte came into office and proclaimed his intention to carry out a more balanced foreign policy. Whereas previously in terms of relations with the great powers the Philippines has been mostly engaged with the US, now the country also treats Russia and China as potentially important partners. President Duterte repeatedly stated that the Philippines is interested in strengthening and developing relations with Russia as the country’s new strategic partner. In December 2016, when a group of Russian Pacific Fleet ships visited Manila, he personally toured one of them. In spring 2017, President Duterte visited Moscow to meet President Vladimir Putin. On the governmental level, Russia and the Philippines are working out plans to boost cooperation and exchanges in all key areas, such as economy, military cooperation, security, education and science. As a result, relations with the Philippines have become a very promising element of Russia’s policy in the Asia-Pacific. The session will discuss current state and prospects of Russo-Filipino relations. Is it possible to establish strategic cooperation between our countries?
The session is devoted to investing in education and possibilities of university-business cooperation.
Internationalization demands developing international strategies for fundraising, project financing and capital asset management. The session will cover both financial and social return of such investment.
Among the speakers are the ASEAN universities' rectors, vice-rectors, directors of endowments, business schools, asset management companies and business-community.
Russia — ASEAN University Forum will be held on the campus of Far Eastern Federal University (FEFU) on Russky Island (Vladivostok)
Today, FEFU is the largest institution of higher education in Eastern Russia and one of the most dynamically developing scientific and educational centers in the Asia-Pacific region. More than 40 thousand people are studying here, in 370 areas of training and specialties at all levels of education, including specialist degrees, bachelor degrees, master degrees, postgraduate studies and doctoral studies programmes.
The campus of FEFU on Russky Island was built in 2012 for the APEC Summit. Today, FEFU is the central site of scientific and business communication between Russian and international expert communities in the Asia-Pacific region.
+7(495)431-47-95
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asean@inno.mgimo.ru
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