ASEAN-Canada Research Partnership Advisory Committee Meeting

Date: 9 June 2012 (Saturday)
Venue: Pullman King Power Hotel, Bangkok
Organised by: RSIS Centre for NTS Studies

Following the launch of the ASEAN-Canada Research Partnership in January 2012 at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta, the Partnership’s Advisory Committee (AC) gathered in Bangkok on 9 June 2012 to discuss the necessary steps for operationalising its framework.

The AC discussed the broader context and rationale for the ASEAN-Canada Research Partnership. With much of the attention at the governmental level in Canada having been focused on China and India, the Partnership represents an opportunity for Canada to re-engage Southeast Asian countries, given that these nations are part of an emerging collective entity. This Partnership is particularly significant in terms of issues pertaining to human security and development which, despite having been strongly advocated by Canada in the 1990s, has not been an agenda actively pursued by the Canadian government in recent years.  AC members also highlighted the value of tapping on the Track II community which plays a significant role in sensitising policymakers to issues of regional importance to both ASEAN and Canada

The AC engaged in defining the Partnership’s proposed Junior and Senior Research Fellowships. The junior fellowships would be vital in building the research capabilities of young Southeast Asian and Canadian scholars. These are particularly valuable for those from less developed Southeast Asian states, who often stand at a disadvantage when applying for highly competitive global/regional fellowships. The junior fellowships will be open not only to academics but also members of civil society. This will give civil society members an opportunity to enhance their research capabilities as well as provide them with a platform to share relevant empirical evidence based on their work experiences.

There is also a need to identify tertiary or exchange students as well as former officials and diplomats with ties to and interests in both Canada and Southeast Asia in order to facilitate and enhance the research partnership at various levels.

It was suggested that a greater level of innovation be encouraged in the ASEAN-Canada Research Partnership. Creative ways of sourcing for matching funds in ASEAN states and utilising existing funds were encouraged. This would reduce the tendency to rely on conventional donor-beneficiary relations and foster a project that is self-sustaining in the long run.

For more information about the ASEAN-Canada Research Partnership, please click here.

Posted on: 9/6/2012 8:30:00 AM  |  Topic: Other NTS Issues