Click following titles to see the details about each session.

[ Politics / Environment / Culture / Economy ]

 Session 1 / Politics
Leading Theme: Rights Based Cooperation and Development (RBCD)

Though Asia is considered as a region with tremendous potential in bringing much development in various fields, most Asian countries have missed two essential values that would assure a long-term, sustainable development- Human Rights and collaboration towards common goal. Under the leading theme ‘Rights Based Cooperation and Development”, the politics session seeks to connect the two, first by starting with a discussion on Asia’s cooperation for awakening Human Rights consciousness. Human Rights is the most essential value that forms the basis of a nation, and a society missing that core will be like a house built on sand. Taking this as basis, the discussion will go on further to the matter of Asia’s future development, for development is the process of Human Rights actualization. When it comes to development, due to the huge flow of dynamic changes and the emergence of global scaled issues, cooperation became an important virtue to Asia for flourishing future. Therefore, to recognize and sympathize with the two vital values for Asia, Human Rights and harmonization, delegates will be presented with 2 main themes with respective activities.

On the fundamentals of a better future and development lies improvement in Human Rights consciousness and systemic advancement. However, Asia seems to be lacking this due to its narrow focus on economic development and competition among the neighboring states. By approaching Northeast Asia’s human rights from the view of pan-Asian Human Rights regime, the session aims to grant delegates a chance to think about their role as future leaders in restoring Human Rights consciousness of NEA and in defending the ultimate rights. Such aim will be achieved through 2 activities that constitute theme1. First, under a framework suggested by the chairs, delegates are expected to create an Action Plan that defines the role of major actors in international community. Second, the delegates will be divided into small cells and each will be given a Human Rights topic that is at stake in NEA. With the topic, delegates will be applying their Action Plan into reality.

For Asia, as mutual cooperation and coexistence became vital factors in all states’ stable and continuous development, the importance of harmony and interdependence is being emphasized. Based on a professionally coordinated mechanism called “Asia Cooperation Dialogue”, the session seeks to find out what aspirations Asia can share in reaching a flourishing future. This will take a form of mock election and campaign. The election will be about choosing a council that will set the direction of cooperation in ACD. Delegates will be asked to come up with pledges regarding further development of NEA, as a candidate running for the council. They will have a chance to appeal their pledges to others through campaign and also to vote while considering NEA’s prosperous future.

As with the era of globalization, considerable complexity has been added to various issues, leading cooperation towards a common goal much more challenging. We believe that politics functions as a “driving force” in bringing various entities and interests to come together in reaching for a shared value. Thus, Politics Session aims to grant delegates a chance to experience politics as a driving force in contemporary society through two themes that Politics Session has prepared. Delegates are expected to participate actively with an open mind in making this chance their own asset. We firmly believe that if delegates participating in NEAN 2010 Politics Session come with high ambition and deep passion, they will get more than what we can offer.

Politics Session is in collaboration with:

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 Session 2 / Enviroment

Theme1 : Are we green-washed?

The world is flooding with green issues- with corporate practices, government policies, and even home appliances. People also feel flooded with environmental actions. Eventually, some public opinions are tilting to have a sort of aversion toward environmentalism regardless of its true contents and benign motivation. In this session, we will dig deep into the world of environmental society, and devise possible actions to address misled stereotype toward environmental issues. Ecomagination, green stores. These are concepts created by General Electric, Walmart. Thus corporations are releasing their novel ideas in environmentalism through their own campaigns. Let alone getting informed with these corporate practices, session participants will write a virtual annual report with holistic insight including various sectors of a society.

The terminology ‘Environment’ was deemed as a cliche and a hindrance to economic development. Hopefully, along with the shifting paradigm and perceptions on the issue, we are on the verge of incorporating environment in our economic activities. The Carbon Emissions Trading, an ensemble of market system and emissions allocation, is anticipated to serve a significant role in the climate change crisis. The European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) interweaved economy and environment with regional features and is striving to make progress. In this integrated environment and economy session, the participants can implement variety of measures for valuing and exchanging the emissions, and be able to experience the embryonic carbon market in the Northeast Asia. In the run-up to crisis, we offer potent and fully-fledged Northeast Asian leaders an invaluable opportunity to share the views of the numerous stakeholders and seek more alternatives with the benefits and losses gained as a consequence from the activity.

* For further information on European Emissions Trading Scheme,
[Click HERE]

Environment Session is in collaboration with:

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 Session 3 / Culture
Theme: Constructing Northeast Asian Transnational Community through Asian Global Brands

Asia, although often grouped together by this one term, is not altogether a collective/unified entity. The fact that many unique and vibrant countries exist within this word demands distinct understandings and approaches to each culture. So it seems somewhat difficult, if not ineffective, to construct a common identity that represents all of Asia. Yet we cannot deny the benefits as well as the necessity of constructing a cultural common ground; a binding element that will bring about greater regional cooperation in various arenas (politics, economics, media, education, etc.) in our society.

One possible solution to the problem can be found in brand culture. As with economic globalization, global brands are making a huge impact on cultures throughout the world, allowing consumers that purchase their products or services to alter a part of their cultural identity in new ways. Consistent with current research on the issue, it is our belief that cultural identities provided by Asian global brands will be shared by a wide range of people in the region and potentially have the power to be a big part of "Asian-ness." In order to gain regional recognition as well as global competitiveness, Asian companies need to form an iconic Asian brand “true to [its] roots and origin” (Asian Brand Strategy, Roll). In other words, cultural context of the region can provide brand personality for companies that will reflect how the people in the region identify themselves, or how they want themselves to be identified. This quality, while giving the company a unique strength in the global market, constructs and strengthens a transnational image that consumers of the brand can identify themselves with. Therefore branding of an Asian company helps create new ways in which consumers (that is, Asians) form a transnational identity that fosters a new sense of interconnectedness among the consumers of the same product.

In conclusion, development of an Asian global brand will signify two things: general economic benefits and formation of a transnational imagined community shared by all in the region. Reflecting this belief, the culture session will aspire to expand delegates’ understanding on the subject while guiding academic discussion regarding the issue. With conflicts and war plaited into our memory, it might be hard for Asia to be integrated merely based on the past. Yet future, with its bright prospect, is available too, and shared by us all. This hope is what binds us together and provides a transnational identity such as the one we propose to explore. We offer you the chance to explore with us Asia’s hope and future with its own exquisite potentials.

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 Session 4 / Economy
Theme 1: From Northeast Asian Economic Integration: Asia to the World

a) Necessity of NEADB (NorthEast Asia Development Bank)
b) Moving to a Common Currency

In view of the United States economic hegemony and the rapidly expanding European Union, Northeast Asian countries are facing distressing challenges. The European Union, reinforced by the benefit of using a common currency, has formed an enormous united organization that has never been seen before in history. Despite incessant efforts to consolidate the foundation of the Northeast Asian Economy in order to withstand harmful influences from external forces, Northeast Asian economies are still vulnerable to external shocks ? as proved by the Wall Street Crisis in 2008.

In order to guard economic independence from the two formidable economic blocs, Asian economic integration has never been more important. As economic leaders of the bigger Asian economy, the role of Northeast Asian countries is essential in forming a unique Asian autonomous economy. Combining Northeast Asia's experience in developing competitive economies along with the potential of rising Southeast Asian countries, the Asian market as a whole can certainly confront the challenge of the Occident ? or even win an overwhelming victory.

The NEAN 2010 Economy Workshop will offer background information and practical knowledge for the Asian Economy Integration under the main theme of "From the Economic integration of Northeast Asia: Asia to the World." The sessions will deal with delicate current issues :

(i) NEADB (North East Asian Development Bank)

For several years, the incapacity of ADB (Asian Development Bank) and other regional development banks has been an issue in the Northeast Asian region. Due to their priority to support certain under-developed regions rather acting upon request, Northeast Asian countries were more of a supplier than a benefiter in the existing organization. However, with insufficient funds proving to be a major obstacle, NEADB was proposed for mutual cooperation between Northeast Asian countries to raise investment capital. The NEAN 2010 Economy Workshop will focus on the necessities of the NEADB while discussing on the structure of the proposed organization and expected barriers.

(ii) Moving to Common Currency

The rapid spread of the EURO currency in the global economy is increasingly becoming a threat to the Asian economy, which has been accustomed to the use of the United States dollar for decades. In order to protect Asia from the influence of the EURO and the U.S Dollar, the leading nations in the Asian Market, the Northeast Asian countries, need to display leadership by concurring on forming one Asian market by introducing a common currency of their own. The NEAN 2010 Economy Workshop will discuss the Common Currency in Asia comprehensively, including its importance, expected effects, ways to strengthen competitiveness, and predicted barriers.

The terminology ‘Environment’ was deemed as a cliche and a hindrance to economic development. Hopefully, along with the shifting paradigm and perceptions on the issue, we are on the verge of incorporating environment in our economic activities. The Carbon Emissions Trading, an ensemble of market system and emissions allocation, is anticipated to serve a significant role in the climate change crisis. The European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) interweaved economy and environment with regional features and is striving to make progress. In this integrated environment and economy session, the participants can implement variety of measures for valuing and exchanging the emissions, and be able to experience the embryonic carbon market in the Northeast Asia. In the run-up to crisis, we offer potent and fully-fledged Northeast Asian leaders an invaluable opportunity to share the views of the numerous stakeholders and seek more alternatives with the benefits and losses gained as a consequence from the activity.

Economy Session is in collaboration with:

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