Blog Asia Pacífico por Carlos Aquino: 2013

FEALAC VISION GROUP

FINAL REPORT

EVALUATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Executive Summary

I. Strategy, Assessment and Vision

II. Iconic Projects: Increasing Visibility and Deepening Impact

III. Broadening: Bringing FEALAC to More People and Institutions

IV. Leading FEALAC: More Active, Effective and Efficient Processes and Institutions

Chapter 1: International Situation and Strategic Objectives

1.1 Global and Regional Strategic Issues

1.2 FEALAC’s Scope and Agenda

1.3 FEALAC’s Challenges and Goals

Chapter 2: Politics, Culture and Sports

2.1 Review

2.2 Future Vision: Context

2.3 Recommendations

2.3.1 Politics: Policy Forum For Exchange and Understanding

2.3.2 Culture and Sports

2.3.3 Involving the Media

Chapter 3: Economy and Society

3.1 Review

3.2 Future Vision: Context

3.3 Recommendations

3.3.1 FEALAC Business Connectivity Group and Business Forums

3.3.2 Business Facilitation

3.3.3 Tourism Promotion and Exchange of Best Practices

Chapter 4: Education, Science and Technology

4.1 Review

4.2 Future Vision: Context

4.3 Recommendations

4.3.1 University Network

4.3.2 Science and Technology Competitions

4.3.3 Science and Technology Dialogue

Chapter 5: Supporting FEALAC: Developing Processes and Institutions

5.1 Review

5.2 Future Vision: Context

5.3 Recommendations

5.3.1 Current Processes: The FMM, SOM, Working Groups and Cyber Secretariat

5.3.2 Division of Working Groups

5.3.3 Improving Governmental Processes, Working Towards a FEALAC Summit

5.3.4 National Initiatives, Co-funding and Common Funds

5.3.5 Participation of Regional and International Organizations

Chapter 6: Conclusion

Appendix 1: Vision Group Members

Appendix 2: The Vision Group Mandate

End Notes

Executive Summary

I. Strategy, Assessment and Vision

The original vision of FEALAC remains relevant today in bringing together the two regions. Indeed, emerging factors have strengthened that logic. Private sector interests and businesses have rapidly increased flows of trade and investment between the two regions. Changes in the global system also point to a more multilateral world in which both East Asia and Latin America will have larger contributions to make.

However there remain real gaps in the relationship. Given their diverse histories and development paths, the two regions have different views on a range of political, economic and other issues. For many businesses, there remain issues of access and connectivity. In politics, the dialogue and understanding of the two regions can be further developed. In the fields of culture, education, media and youth, there are needs and opportunities to develop a broader base of awareness and understanding.

The Vision Group concluded that in spite of any shortcomings, FEALAC has effectively begun to fulfill the purpose of increasing understanding and cooperation between the two regions. FEALAC has initiated and institutionalized mechanisms of dialogue that could not have been achieved bilaterally or through other intergovernmental organizations. The Vision Group assessment is that what FEALAC has started should be renewed and strengthened over the next decade, to move beyond what has been achieved to date. The visibility and perceived relevance of FEALAC will need to be increased. Its processes and institutions can and should be reviewed and strengthened.

If not, the dangers are that the East Asia-Latin America relationship will remain limited to relationships between two or more countries of both regions and that the two regions as a whole will not gain.

Collectively, FEALAC represents 39% of the world population, 30% world trade and 32% of world GDP. Since 2000, trade between East Asia and Latin America has grown at an annual average rate of 20.5%, reaching an estimated US$500 billion in 2013. Two-way investment has risen to more than US$20 billion. The deepening economic ties have helped forge mutually beneficial relationships over the past decade, which have brought governments and peoples in the two regions closer together.[1]

In this context, the Vision Group recommends the overarching vision:

FEALAC should move forward to become the premier Forum for inter-regional dialogue and understanding and to enhance connectivity and nurture further cooperation between member countries from the two regions. This should include governments and the peoples of both regions, especially youths and academia, as well as the private sector businesses of FEALAC member countries so that the inter-regional relationship between East Asia and Latin America can deepen and broaden to become an essential component of the global system.

The following summarizes the Vision Group’s key recommendations towards achieving that Vision.

II. Iconic Projects: Increasing Visibility and Deepening Impact

To be seen as the premier Forum for the regions, the Vision Group recommends that the visibility and impact of FEALAC be considerably increased. Concrete and visible iconic projects should be undertaken in key areas. Such projects must aim to broaden awareness and create greater interest between the two regions and in FEALAC itself. To those ends, the FEALAC iconic projects should be open to a wider range of participants, raising FEALAC visibility through the media and among key actors in the inter-regional relationship, and be sustained over time to impact the sense of identity and well-being of the peoples of both regions.

The Vision Group identified and recommends the immediate implementation of the following possible FEALAC iconic projects:

1. FEALAC Business Connectivity Group and Business Forums:[2] To establish a FEALAC Business Connectivity Group of business leaders to give feedback and suggestions to the FEALAC governments on key issues relating to connectivity and other needs that can increase business and the flows of trade and investment between the two regions as well as to encourage regular business forums in more FEALAC countries and begin a regular FEALAC High Level Business Forum to be held in conjunction with the FEALAC Ministerial Meeting.

2. University Network:[3] To develop and expand the University Network between key universities in the two regions, to build academic links, student exchanges and cooperation, to include research centres, scholars, teachers and especially students as already decided by the FEALAC Foreign Ministers. In the longer term, the University Network should help spark and develop the study and teaching of East Asian studies in Latin America, and vice-versa as a process to deepen understanding as well as a multiplier to students. Beyond the social sciences, the University Network should also encourage education, research and cooperation across the broadest range of topics in science and technology. The Vision Group recommended that FEALAC call for a meeting of university presidents as soon as possible to work out modes of furthering such connections.

3. Science and Technology Competitions:[4] To give additional visibility to FEALAC, encourage the development of science and technology, engage with youth, and promote connections between universities, FEALAC could explore the possibility of supporting competitions among high school, vocational school, and university students. FEALAC could support a robotics contest or other science and technology competition which would appeal to the young and also the general public.

4. Policy Forum and Think Tank Network:[5] To exchange views and deepen mutual understanding between government leaders, academics and opinion makers. The dialogue amongst FEALAC Ministers and officials should be enriched with policy planning dialogue that involves networks of think tanks, and experts in an active exchange of perspectives between the two regions, to explore differences as well as to understand areas of convergence on issues between the two regions with respect to global issues.

III. Broadening: Bringing FEALAC to More People and Institutions

While governments have a key role, the Vision Group believes that the societies of FEALAC member countries must be further included in FEALAC’s activities through networks between the two regions. The Vision Group envisages that in the future the peoples of the two regions will become more conscious and knowledgeable of each other, and increasingly regard the inter-regional relationship to be as natural and normal as those with other regions of more traditional links. The sustainability of such development will be of historic significance, and not only for the two regions.

To this end, the Vision Group recommends the on-going efforts:

1. Cultural institutions:[6] FEALAC should explore and where considered appropriate foster museums and key cultural institutions to exchange views and collaborate on projects that help each region better understand the other, including the possibilities for a network of museums, touring exhibitions, and e-resources about culture and history. The Vision Group also recommends that FEALAC consider convening a meeting of the relevant agencies and leaders in FEALAC member countries, including Culture Ministers.

2. Media:[7] The media should be engaged as a trusted provider of information and multiplier of views and opinions. FEALAC should develop and implement a comprehensive communication strategy to increase the visibility and relevance of FEALAC in each member country, regionally and globally. Efforts should also be made to engage the media of the other region through journalist visits and other initiatives. As media knowledge and interest developsin the medium term, a network of media across the two regions should be encouraged.

3. Business:[8] FEALAC member countries should immediately explore ways and means to facilitate business in order to encourage more free flow of goods and services as well as people to people contacts. FEALAC can especially facilitate the engagement of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) across the two regions by the provision of relevant information and studies through well organized and widely available e-resources at the national level and, progressively, across FEALAC as a whole. To facilitate this, the Vision Group recommends the establishment of the bi-regional virtual centre for the development of the small and medium enterprises. Efforts should also be made to facilitate travel for business people and corporations.

4. Tourism:[9] At the people-to-people level, tourism is an increasingly important conduit of exchange between the two regions. Governments and tourism agencies should increase efforts to engage their counterparts, and as a way to increase tourist visits across the two regions, FEALAC Member countries should explore ways and means to facilitate travels in order to encourage more people to people contacts, especially with reference to culture and youth-related tourism when visited by tourists from the other region.

5. Youth: FEALAC should place an emphasis in developing intercultural skills, particularly among our younger generations. The Vision Group recommends that youth activities can be integrated as a special focus of exchanges in the three areas outlined above – culture, media and tourism as well as in sports, science and technologies to attract and involve youth.

IV. Leading FEALAC: More Active, Effective and Efficient Processes and Institutions

The Vision Group believes that governments having started FEALAC must lead its further development towards more active, effective and efficient inter-governmental processes.

Aware of present constraints, the Vision Group recognized that the future work of FEALAC, as envisaged in this report, will require greater and more consistent support. In this regard, the Vision Group makes the following main recommendations to strengthen FEALAC processes and institutions:

1. Current Processes: The FMM, SOM, Working Groups and Cyber-secretariat:[10] The Vision Group emphasized the immediate need for renewing the commitment of a more consistent and active participation of member countries representatives in FEALAC meetings at all levels (Ministerial, Senior Officials and Working Groups). The initiatives to resume the Coordinating Board meetings should be followed up immediately as it is crucial to properly monitor the progress of Working Groups and national focal points should be mandated to coordinate and follow up not only in the ministries of foreign affairs but across different ministries as relevant and appropriate. Efforts must also be renewed for each FEALAC member to utilize and provide resources to support the Cyber Secretariat, hosted by Korea. As the work of FEALAC progresses and requires support, FEALAC may look into the long term and may consider the establishment of a permanent FEALAC secretariat.

2. Working Groups:[11] To support and develop the new initiatives mentioned above, the Vision Group recommends that FEALAC immediately evaluate the division of Working Groups to allow for greater focus on their subjects and more diverse representation, where needed, so that relevant agencies are more engaged. The Vision Group recommends that FEALAC relook at the division of Working Groups to restructure them for greater effectiveness and comprehensive discussion on macro strategic issues covering political, economic and social areas.

3. National Initiatives and Co-funding:[12] The Vision Group has come to the conclusion that national projects will continue to be the primary form of FEALAC projects in the immediate term and will continue thereafter. The Vision Group encourages FEALAC member countries to develop, expand, or increase national projects to enhance the visibility of FEALAC and that, where possible and as considered appropriate into the medium and longer term, financial assistance for participation be extended to other FEALAC member countries. To add to that experience, the Vision Group encouraged FEALAC to foster, support and monitor the progress of cooperative endeavours amongst sub-groups between the two regions even where such cooperation does not involve all FEALAC member countries. For the longer term, as processes and activities develop, FEALAC should set clear guidelines for funding and FEALAC member countries should agree on a common fund to be set up.

4. Working with International Institutions:[13] The Vision Group recommended FEALAC members to discuss and agree on the best mechanism to immediately establish a permanent relationship to enhance financial and technical cooperation with relevant regional and international institutions especially in efforts to help the businesses and private sector gain a better understanding of the economic trends and opportunities. FEALAC governments should systemize and make available these resources to their businesses.

5. Working Towards a FEALAC Summit: [14] The Vision Group envisages that FEALAC can and should develop in the medium and longer-term to be the premier Forum for inter-regional dialogue and understanding and to enhance connectivity and foster cooperation between two regions that will grow to further influence and impact the world. As governmental processes led by the Foreign Ministries grow to involve other institutions in government, broaden to engage key sectors in society, and build projects for greater visibility and impact, FEALAC should consider working towards a FEALAC Summit in the long term which would appropriately mark the increasing relevance and importance of FEALAC.

Chapter 1: International Situation and Strategic Objectives

1.1 – Global and Regional Strategic Issues

[1] The Vision Group revisited the rationale for FEALAC and concluded that FEALAC member countries have set, from the very start, the necessary vision for the Forum´s role. FEALAC aspired “to increase mutual understanding, trust, political dialogue and friendly cooperation among member countries with a view to enriching and sharing experiences and developing new partnerships”[1], and this continues to be relevant today. What the Vision Group considered afresh and at length was what has changed in the international situation since the first FMM in 2001 and what responses and additional efforts FEALAC should make in moving forward. The Vision Group emphasized that the world has changed profoundly following the demise of the Cold War system and the bipolar system of international relations in that period, and sees the future pointing towards greater multilateralism and regionalism. Inter-regionalism – of which FEALAC is an example – is seen by some as an emerging necessity to bridge between regionalism and multilateralism. The importance of South-South relations has also increased, especially in the wake of the Global Financial Crisis from 2008 and the continuing effects on the developed markets. Private sector interest and participation in links between East Asia and Latin America has been growing, driving a growth in trade and investment.

[2] The nature of global and regional strategic issues confronting the nation-states is also changing. While traditional concerns in security and economic cooperation remain, the issues facing economic development, human security, environmental concerns and governance for diverse and inclusive societies have also emerged to necessitate attention. The world, in the view of the Vision Group, is therefore facing challenges in dealing with these issues with the current institutions and processes. Thus for example, while reforms have long been sought in the international institutions – the comprehensive reforms of the United Nations including the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), World Bank and IMF – these have yet to be accepted in an unequivocal and consequential. Similarly, efforts to negotiate important and complex international agreements like the Doha Round in the WTO and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) process have been slow in achieving consensus. These challenges to the multilateral system and institutions reflect, in the view of the Vision Group members, that the multilateral nature of the international system must increasingly be transformed to better take into account the needs of the developing countries as well as contribute to the betterment of the world in line with the Buenos Aires Declaration of the 5^th FEALAC Foreign Ministers Meeting.[2]

[3] In this context, the Vision Group acknowledges that FEALAC was started as an effort by the member governments to develop linkages between the two fastest growing regions in the world where, previously, their relationships had been sparse and sporadic. This alone is an important achievement by the governments on both sides. The Vision Group concluded that in spite of any shortcomings, FEALAC, in its uniqueness, has effectively begun to fulfill the purpose, expressed since the beginning by its member countries, of increasing understanding and cooperation between the two regions. FEALAC has done what member countries could not have achieved bilaterally or through other intergovernmental organizations: to initiate and institutionalize mechanisms of dialogue and cooperation between the two regions. The necessity felt by the countries when they first created FEALAC remains relevant today and is, to the Vision Group, even more pressing given current trends in the world. Looking ahead, and building on what FEALAC has done so far, the Vision Group believes that FEALAC member countries should seek out ways to foster an ever more active role in inter-regional cooperation through FEALAC.

1.2 – FEALAC’s Scope and Agenda

[4] FEALAC is an international forum with a large and diverse membership. In addition, except for economic relationships and a history of immigration between a limited numbers of countries, relations between the two regions have been relatively sparse. Therefore, it is understandable that the two regions still lack common interests and opinions strong enough to easily bring about concrete actions and stronger institutions in FEALAC.

[5] FEALAC has been and will, in the view of the Vision Group, continue to serve, in the near future, primarily as a forum for dialogue and cooperation. However, it is important to note that even this limited function is of significance in this increasingly multipolar and uncertain world. The Vision Group observes a global redistribution of power and plenty, which requires new governance structures in the world. In consequence, varieties of regional and global forums and institutions have been either reorganized or newly established. Bilateral, regional and multilateral trade negotiations are also numerous and conspicuous. In order to recover stability by strengthening new governance structures as quickly as possible, member countries need to nurture mutual confidence by conducting an exchange of views on global issues and common concerns. Since there is no other venue through which such large number of countries from East Asia and Latin America can meet and exchange opinions, FEALAC will continue to be a uniquely important mechanism.

[6] Moreover, the Vision Group is mindful that the future development of FEALAC must consider, in the wake of the global financial crisis of 2008, the various and potentially profound changes emerging in the international system. This reinforces the need for the two regions of East Asia and Latin America – which have continue to show growth – to deepen their links and grow their respective roles in the global community.

[7] To this end, the Vision Group agreed that the volatility of the international situation recommends the constant re-examination of the long standing objectives of FEALAC at the SOMs and FMMs in the light of the recent and emerging global developments. The analysis should include all the main areas of concern expressed by the Senior Officials and the Foreign Ministers along the meetings they have held to date: political events, economy, development, poverty reduction, social progress, climate change, etc. Members of the Vision Group noted the many and increasing common points of concern between the two regions on a number of global issues.[3]

[8] However, the Vision Group cautioned against FEALAC giving too much time and attention to look broadly at global issues, at the expense of trying to develop and deepen the inter-regional agenda in more direct, realistic and concrete ways. The Vision Group recommends that the precise scope of the FEALAC agenda in each field should be of particular interest to the FEALAC member countries with the aim to interest and involve first governments, and then broadening to reach institutions and sectors of each society.

[9] For the immediate term, the Vision Group reiterated the priority to begin with the Foreign Ministries, with more clarity as to what they want to be achieved by specific initiatives before they are announced. The Vision Group is of the view that the Foreign Ministers should consider focusing FEALAC’s agenda to a more restricted list of concerns so as to concentrate efforts in those more likely to yield better results. This applies also to the agendas of the Senior Officials and of the three Working Groups and the Sub-Group on Tourism, as well as to the other topics which have constituted FEALAC horizon of interests.[4]

1.3 – FEALAC’s Challenges and Goals

[10] Given these considerations, and as further elaborated in this Report, the Vision Group recommends that the Forum must actively reposition itself to address the growing challenges and opportunities of regional integration, and reinvigorate its activities to involve all member countries. FEALAC should move forward to become the premier Forum for inter-regional dialogue and understanding and to enhance connectivity and nurture further cooperation between member countries from the two regions. This should include not only the governments but also the peoples of both regions, especially youths and academia, as well as the private sector of FEALAC member countries so that the inter-regional relationship between East Asia and Latin America can deepen and broaden to become an essential component of the global system.

[11] To be seen as the premier Forum between the two regions, the visibility and impact of FEALAC must be increased. The Vision Group strongly recommends that concrete and visible iconic projects be fostered in key areas for the group as a whole. Such iconic projects, to be suggested in more detail in the following chapters, must aim to broaden awareness and create greater interest between the two regions and in FEALAC itself.

[12] The Vision Group also advocates that FEALAC broaden its engagement to bringing FEALAC to more people and a wider range of institutions. While governments have a key role, the Vision Group believes that the societies of FEALAC member countries must be further included in networks between the two regions. While this is a work in which success will be hard to measure, the Vision Group believes that efforts will be evident in the long-term developments. The Vision Group envisages that in future the peoples of the two regions will become more conscious and knowledgeable of each other, and increasingly regard the inter-regional relationship to be as natural and normal as those with other regions of more traditional links.

[13] Succeeding chapters of this Report set out more observations and recommendations to develop FEALAC accordingly.

Chapter 2: Politics, Culture and Sports

2.1 – Review

[14] The Vision Group considered a number of projects and initiatives undertaken in FEALAC in the fields of politics, culture, education and sports. In its final deliberations, reflected in the structure of this report, the Vision Group opted for examining education together with science and technology. Some of the main characteristics of the projects were evaluated. Briefly, key observations were as follows: with exceptions, many activities seem to have an isolated impact and little prospect for continuity; there was generally a lack of assessment or follow-up on the activities; information on the results of the different projects was not made known broadly, as there are still no mechanisms available which allow for the quick and efficient communication; and there is a lack of information with regard to whether the national projects undertaken by a single country in fact result in wider cooperation projects between two or more member countries.

[15] The Vision Group believes these points highlight the need for more dynamic cooperation between Latin American and East Asian countries that is more focused and systematic and supported by better coordination and effective management.[5]

2.2 – Future Vision: Context

[16] The Vision Group believes that promoting East Asian and Latin American Cooperation through Politics, Culture and Sports is particularly important as these areas touch upon the human element of inter-state relations and inter-regional cooperation. The quality of people-to-people contacts, perceptions, and mutual understanding is therefore the most crucial element.

[17] More concentration of FEALAC countries is advisable on major political themes about which there are common or converging views so as to strengthen these views in the international agenda. The FEALAC process could contribute to consolidating the present gains by promoting dialogue and common activities that could make the peoples of East Asia and Latin America open up to each other, promote regional self-help to tackle common challenges, and plan together to face the future. This is therefore a process that must be undertaken more broadly and towards the longer-term future, and it is important that FEALAC take steps in the immediate and medium-term to lay a foundation in this area.

[18] The Vision Group however acknowledges the many challenges that have limited progress in the past and still impede movement forward, given the historical differences and geographical distance between the two regions, notwithstanding global communication, logistics and travel. These include the low base of mutual understanding and appreciation of cultures and cultural diversity in the regions; and the still insufficient attention given to the area of culture and to cultural exchanges and therefore the lack of effective institutional arrangements, adequate funding, and collaborative and concerted efforts of both public and private sectors to enhance cultural exchanges.

[19] The Vision Group believes that it is crucial to remember that the emphasis should be put on the aim of bringing closer the societies of both regions at a “people to people” level. Consequently, an active involvement on the part of academia, the NGOs, educational and cultural organizations will be crucial for FEALAC’s progress. The Vision Group also underscored the importance of cultural exchanges in providing a foundation for FEALAC cooperation.

2.3 – Recommendations

[20] Bearing in mind these needs, the Vision Group recalled what FMM stated in the Buenos Aires Declaration (paragraph 52), for iconic projects to be developed in FEALAC as follows:

2.3.1 – Politics: Policy Forum for Exchange and Understanding

[21] The Vision Group suggests the creation of a Policy Forum within FEALAC to focus on political exchange to foster mutual understanding. Beginning from the on-going dialogue and exchange amongst Ministers and Senior Officials, the Policy Forum could develop and broaden to further understanding of political developments in both regions and exchange views on areas of convergence and of differences. Nevertheless, FEALAC member countries should bear in mind that, in the view of the Vision Group, the Forum´s political agenda is ultimately the Foreign Ministers’ responsibility.

[22] In the medium term, FEALAC should more actively encourage and support the participation of academics and opinion makers, as well as encourage networking among think tanks in addition to policy planning dialogue among officials, as this could make a significant contribution to FEALAC goals to develop dialogue and understanding in the longer term. One starting point is for FEALAC to better understand and study the perception of citizens and civil society groups in one region about the other region.

[23] One example for future policy dialogue could be on the subject of universal human rights, as all member countries could learn on this issue given historical, cultural and developmental differences in the diverse experiences of the two regions. Another suggestion is to consider the links between business and society, as FEALAC economic linkages grow, to ensure that business ties are set within a broader social context. In this regard, FEALAC policy-makers, experts and business leaders should exchange their perspectives and information of their more successful policy efforts in areas such as: education and job creation; adding value to existing industries such as resource sectors; human resource development; and poverty alleviation. This could link the Policy Forum with the FEALAC Business Forums (elaborated in Chapter 3) for synergy and impact.

2.3.2 – Culture and Sports

[24] In considering how to improve cultural understanding between the two regions, the Vision Group seeks a broader approach wherein FEALAC facilitates and raises awareness amongst different institutions. Towards this end, the Vision Group suggests the following:

Culture:

1) To develop an institutional framework (or strengthen the responsible FEALAC Working Group) to collect and update information/data on current activities, projects, and plans for cultural exchanges in each FEALAC country and share and disseminate such information/data among relevant agencies and institutions including government agencies, schools, research institutes, media, and business enterprises.

2) To invite FEALAC Culture Ministers to meet, discuss and decide on relevant fields of cultural exchanges.

3) To monitor, promote, and organize bi-regional cultural exchanges, including appropriate activities for youth.

4) To add cultural components, as considered appropriate, to existing FEALAC meetings (like the FMM and SOM) and projects to be developed (like the Business Forums discussed in the next chapter).

Sports

[25] The Vision Group noted that the FMM has discussed developing sports activities in FEALAC as a means of including more people in the inter-regional exchange. In addition, the Vision Group encouraged FEALAC member countries to immediately begin national initiatives to stimulate the visits of different sports types and groups, and learning through coaches, technicians and the exchange of young athletes.[6] The Vision Group especially encouraged increasing sports activities that attract and involve youth.

2.3.3 – Involving the Media

[26] To further develop dialogue and understanding in politics, culture, sport and youth, the Vision Group believes that involving the media in the FEALAC countries will be a key strategy. FEALAC must engage the media so that media coverage reporting on the other region is facilitated directly, rather than through media from other regions. To this end, the Vision Group recommended:

1) FEALAC to develop and implement a comprehensive communication strategy to disseminate the objectives, achievements and benefits of participating in this forum to increase the visibility and relevance of FEALAC as an institution and activities organized under the auspices of FEALAC, especially the projects identified in this report.

2) More FEALAC governments to consider setting up journalist exchange programs for the other region, and then to link these visits to others within the same region.

3) In the medium term, as inter-regional relations grow, setting up inter-regional news networks for the exchange of news and commentaries between newspapers and media of the two regions. While governments should encourage them, these networks would not be administered by governments, but would be organic initiatives by the media in line with the growth of interest and activity in the inter-regional relations and FEALAC.

Chapter 3: Economy and Society

3.1 –Review

[27] The Vision Group found that, in the years since FEALAC’s founding, private sector interests and businesses have rapidly increased flows of trade and investment between the two regions, especially between the larger and more outward looking economies in the group. These positive facts were welcome and the Vision Group considered how FEALAC should respond to remain relevant and supportive, and to make the economic and business links more inclusive for all member countries.

[28] The Vision Group noted that since the first meeting of the "Economy and Society" Working Group (held in Tokyo, Japan, in March 2002), there have been nine meetings, with the last one in October 2012, in Bogotá, Colombia. A number of issues raised have consistently recurred as a consensus has developed in this process about the needs and challenges of strengthening dialogue and fostering cooperation amongst businesses and the wider society of the two regions, in the context of globalization. The recurring issues were:

1) Developing and sustaining business forums to attract businesses from one region to look at ventures in the other region;

2) Providing businesses with key information that is relevant and timely to their needs;

3) Facilitating the reach of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) of one region into the other;

4) Developing resources for businesses, especially the SMEs; and

5) Encouraging tourism between the two regions.

[29] The Vision Group acknowledged that the sphere of economics and business is already extensively served by a number of other intergovernmental international mechanisms in which a number of countries from both regions already participate. Nevertheless, the Vision Group believes there are efforts that FEALAC can and should undertake to foster inter-regional relations in trade and investments, especially to address the FEALAC countries that are not participating in Pacific basin mechanisms because of formal geographical considerations or other reasons.[7]

3.2 - Future Vision: Context

[30] Amidst global flux and uncertainties, the two regions and especially the developing economies can prospectively grow more rapidly than the average rate and the Vision Group believes that increasing the inter-regional interaction can be an important strategy for FEALAC countries to sustain their rapid economic growth through more mature and diverse trade patterns as well as more sustained investment and cooperation partnerships. In addition, FEALAC can support and promote South-South Cooperation and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC) to enhance social and economic development for both regions.

[31] While governments take a lead in FEALAC, it is critical to engage the private business sector as they are also involved in trade and investment, take risks, and contribute directly to the creation of wealth and employment. Experts and academics are also important as their research and publications can create more awareness of the other region. It is also important to generate linkages with other relevant economic fora in the Pacific region, such as APEC and ASEAN, as well as with other efforts like Pacific Alliance in the Latin American side, so as to expand the scope of FEALAC’s work. Currently, while awareness has grown in East Asia about Latin America and vice-versa, the engagement between the two regions is handicapped by the lack of knowledge – especially knowledge that is relevant and timely for businesses. At the same time, while travel and transport costs have been reduced, and logistics have become more manageable, physical distances remain great between the regions.

[32] The Vision Group therefore believes that every effort should be made to help facilitate businesses in overcoming these challenges of knowledge and of distance. FEALAC can support and encourage more private sector actors to take the initiative on inter-regional activities, going beyond the corporations already involved in inter-regional business, to engage and facilitate a broader base of businesses, especially SMEs, to increase their participation in the medium to longer term.

3.3 – Recommendations

3.3.1 –FEALAC Business Connectivity Group and Business Forums

[33] The Vision Group recommends that, as an iconic project for business involvement, FEALAC should establisha FEALAC Business Connectivity Group of business leaders. The Business Connectivity Group should work to understand, give feedback and provide input to the governments on the key issues that relate to connectivity such as information, infrastructure, logistics, trade and investment policies and other needs. They should share observations from the perspective of private sector businesses with the aim to increase business and the flows of trade and investment between the two regions. Members of the Business Connectivity Group should be identified by FEALAC member countries and be supported to interact with official FEALAC institutions and processes so that their observations receive due and prompt consideration from the Ministers and senior officials, as appropriate.

[34] The Vision Group also recommends that FEALAC foster regular business forums in more FEALAC member countries. The Vision Group also suggested that the formation of a permanent FEALAC High Level Business Forum be considered. This event could be hosted in conjunction with the FEALAC FMM, so as to build closer links between the inter-governmental process and business dialogues. Existing FEALAC business forums organized on an ad-hoc basis and the FEALAC High Level Business Forum should interact and be anchored by the FEALAC Business Connectivity Group.

[35] It is important to catalyze and support regular and sustainable business forums in more FEALAC countries to encourage and facilitate business ventures and cooperation between the two regions.[8] More should be encouraged, including the development of linkages with regional business fora, such as the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) so as to share experiences with the regional business community. Key business organizations in FEALAC member countries should be focal points for the proposed FEALAC Business Connectivity Group and FEALAC High Level Business Forum and coordinate the participation of their business leaders/CEOs so that the organization contributes practically to the FEALAC process or inter-regional relations at the business dimension. In the medium to long term, FEALAC as a whole should actively promote similar business forums across all FEALAC member countries – whether at the national or sub-regional or inter-regional levels – so that their collective impact will be strengthened and the engagement sustained over time. The level of awareness will rise correspondingly.

[36] In seeking to grow the forums and business engagement, FEALAC should consider surveying business and media perceptions in one region of the other. This would give a baseline understanding and also be a concerted effort to identify the pioneering businesses that have already reached out to the other region. As FEALAC business forums develop, more such businesses should be identified and cultivated to attend and participate in future forums.

[37] To facilitate and assist with the growth of business forums across FEALAC, governments should help identify and make available a resource pool of experts, policy makers, academics and other opinion-makers interested in FEALAC and with relevant knowledge and expertise.

3.3.2 –Business Facilitation

[38] While larger businesses are already reaching out across to the other region, the Vision Group agrees that FEALAC can and should act to support a broader business engagement especially involving the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) considering their role and contribution to economy, not only as part of international trade, but as supporting industries of larger regional companies. To facilitate this, the Vision Group recommends the establishment of the bi-regional virtual centre for the development of the small and medium enterprises. This will strengthen and improve the linkage among business sectors of both regions by providing relevant information and studies through well organized and widely available e-resources.[9]

[39] Without displacing English as the working language for FEALAC, the translation of the existing FEALAC website and e-resources into the Spanish language should be considered to assist more businesses in Latin America, especially the SMEs. FEALAC member countries could explore the possibility of creating national websites about FEALAC could be especially useful to make available information about FEALAC in the national languages. More generally, the Vision Group encourages each country’s trade and economic agencies to develop a national information focal point for the other region.

[40] FEALAC member countries should explore ways and means to facilitate business travels to encourage more free flow of goods and services as people to people contacts. In this regard, to facilitate businesses from one region to explore and develop business ventures and cooperation in the other, the Vision Group suggests that FEALAC member countries progressively simplify and expedite travel and other requirements for business people and corporations. These members felt that each FEALAC member country which has not already done so should immediately make its procedures better and more widely known, and review the same to ensure that security and other national concerns can be met with the least amount of time and inconvenience to business travelers.

3.3.3 – Tourism Promotion and Exchange of Best Practices

[41] As a way to increase tourist visits across the two regions, FEALAC member countries should explore ways and means to facilitate travels in order to encourage more people to people contacts. The Vision Group noted that a Sub-Working Group on Tourism was created by the Economy and Society Working Group and believes that tourism is potentially a very important activity. For the economies that receive tourists, there are possibilities to benefit most people directly as it is a service sector, labor intensive activity, and tourists spots are many times located in rural or poor areas of a country. Tourism across increases people-to-people exchange and visibility of other countries visited.

[42] To promote tourism between the two regions, the Vision Group suggests that government agencies provide relevant tourism information on their countries, foster appropriate activities and promote the exchange of best practices. While the importance of other tourism activities was recognized, the Vision Group hoped that FEALAC member countries could also utilize tourism to promote the appreciation of identities and cultures and contribute to greater understanding between the two regions.

[43] The Vision Group encourages the development of a strategic agenda of work based on sustainability; capacity development and training; promotion of industry interactions; and travel facilitation in order to learn from each other and develop the industry between its members.

Chapter 4: Education, Science and Technology

4.1 – Review

[44] FEALAC has contributed to increased cooperation among member countries in the fields of education, science and technology since the Working Group on Education and Science and Technology began to meet in June 2002, with the theme “Fostering Innovation: The Bridge between Education and Creative Development in Science and Technology”.[10]FEALAC has identified synergies and common challenges facing the two regions, and member countries have proposed areas for cooperation in education and science and technology.

[45] These include the use of science communication networks; participation in activities of Asia Pacific Centers in Latin America and of Latin American Studies Centers in East Asia; collaboration in natural disaster management and environmental issues through the use of space technology, in sustainable fisheries, forestry and agriculture, biodiversity; the creation of a Science and Technology Observatory Network; a medical services network; distant education based on ICT; a Cooperation Mechanism to Develop Research and Innovation Projects; a network of scientific-technological convergence, and other areas. Further, the Working Group on Science and Technology has agreed on five priority areas: New and renewable energy, greenhouse gas mitigation technology, disaster risk reduction and management, technological innovation to strengthen competitiveness, and prevention and control of infectious diseases.

[46] The Vision Group found that many useful proposals have been made in the FEALAC Sectorial Action Plan on Science and Technology, but there is still duplication with existing work in other regional and international forums. Some proposals tended to present each country’s own research, achievements and plans, rather than focusing on FEALAC-wide projects in enhancing education and science and technology.

4.2 – Future Vision: Context

[47] The economies of several FEALAC member countries currently are driven by strengths in resources sectors such as minerals, energy and food. Many FEALAC member countries are still developing their capacities in Science and Technology. As their economies develop further, many FEALAC member countries are looking to develop research and technology capabilities in ways that link to their diverse interests and strengths in resources.

[48] The Vision Group acknowledged that in the Manila Plan of Action, arising from FMM II FEALAC affirmed that “Education is one of the best means of empowering our people and promoting sustainable development” (Paragraph 13). There have been a good number of research projects on the positive correlation between education and development. Science and technology have also been identified as key facilitators to the economic, social and industrial development of a nation. According to the Buenos Aires declaration agreed at FMM V, “We recognize science, technology and innovation as key themes in the process of deepening cooperation within FEALAC” (Paragraph 53).

[49] The Vision Group envisages FEALAC as a platform of education and science and technology cooperation to enhance human development and security in the two regions. Through cooperation in these fields, people in both regions should live in safer, healthier and more promising environments. For this vision, FEALAC should focus on cooperation and knowledge sharing in education, e-learning, and the five priority areas identified by the Working Group.

4.3 – Recommendations

4.3.1 – University Network

[50] The Vision Group believes FEALAC should take a qualitative leap to develop an iconic project in the area of education, science and technology by developing a FEALAC University Network. The network should foster University-to-University collaborations involving the relevant university departments, research institutes and other relevant bodies. Such a University Network was suggested at FMM V (paragraph 52 of the “Buenos Aires Declaration”). Initiatives have also already started among a number of more active universities in FEALAC member countries.

[51] To follow up and further develop the University Network, the Vision Group suggested that:

1) Governments immediately undertake an inventory/survey of the existing agreements between educational institutions in their countries with counterparts in the other region, in order to assess the current levels of interaction.

2) Governments encourage University Presidents to meet as soon as possible to consider how their institutions could help develop and expand the existing networks between key universities in the two regions into a wider University Network across all the FEALAC member countries, to build academic links, exchanges and cooperation, to include think tanks and research centres, scholars, teachers and especially students.

3) As their interactions grow, that FEALAC universities in the medium-term exchange teachers and academic staff, and promote East Asia Studies in Latin American countries, and vice-versa.

4) FEALAC countries could establish a scholarship fund for academic mobility. The high cost of academic mobility for students is one of the main barriers to increasing academic exchange. Voluntary contributions to the fund would come from each of the member countries and could cover at least 80% of total expenditures, including airfare, housing, food, insurance, and registration.

5) Beyond the social sciences, the University Network should also encourage education, research and cooperation across the broadest range of topics in science and technology. These efforts in science and technology should aim not only for advanced research but also to involve and excite the young in FEALAC member countries and, where possible, look to involve appropriate private sector actors to further develop applications with commercial promise.

4.3.2 – Science and Technology Competitions

[52] To encourage the development of science and technology in FEALAC member countries, FEALAC could explore the possibility of supporting competitions among high school, vocational school, and university students as an iconic project. Science and technology competitions can combine the elements of giving greater visibility to FEALAC, engagement with youth, fostering greater connections between universities, as well as cost-sharing. International robotics contests have previously been successful in the Asia-Pacific, such as the Robocon sponsored by the Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union since 2002. Since even a simple robot requires knowledge of mechanical and electronic devices, such a competition contributes to raising interest in science and technology among not only the young but also the general public. Robotics competitions are visible in the public eye since they are fun to watch, and potentially may be broadcast in the media. Universities and schools could support the participation of their students in such competitions by their own financial resources or by funds they raise locally, making cost-sharing relatively easy.

4.3.3 – Science and Technology Dialogue

[53] On science and technology, the Vision Group further recommends that FEALAC member countries promote science and technology dialogue and understanding by fostering networks to link between their key academic institutions as well as leading private sector corporations with a focus on science and technology. Action can be undertaken in the following:

[54] Technology-based Entrepreneurship: Initiatives for knowledge transfer, the implementation of innovation processes, or creation of new technology-based enterprises, such as robotics.

[55] Joint Knowledge Management: Initiatives related to the training and qualification of human resources, technology transfer, as well as research projects.

[56] Academic and Business Mobility: The exchange of professors and students between universities from the countries of Latin America and East Asia can further be promoted, as well as initiatives that promote the exchange of business experiences.

[57] As the work in this area develops, links should be made to other iconic project recommendations in this Report, especially the University Network for research and technology, and to the Business Forums for businesses in this sector to network and link up with each other.

[58] While there are many different areas of possible dialogue in Science and Technology, the Vision Group recommends that FEALAC member countries strengthen and develop cooperation in the areas of natural disaster management, food and energy security through information exchange and technical cooperation.

Chapter 5: Supporting FEALAC: Developing Processes and Institutions

5.1 –Review

[59] From the official record of attendance, the Vision Group observed that the FEALAC Ministerial Meetings (FMMs) have been attended by a relatively small number of foreign ministers and many countries have been represented by deputies. This level of attendance does not give a strong impression that FEALAC commands sufficient attention. It also affects perceptions amongst the general public as well as in other government agencies and businesses.

[60] The Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) and the Working Groups (WGs) share the same problem with the FMM. In addition, in spite of the importance that these meetings have for the actual functioning of FEALAC, they lack a mechanism for inter-sessional follow-up. The SOM is held once a year concurrently with the WG meetings, and once every two years the SOM meets concurrently with the FMM. The lack of inter-sessional interactions, consequently, makes it difficult to accumulate progress and results which require a thorough and on-going process of follow-up, assessment, and improvement. At the WG meetings, Foreign Ministry officials have predominated, with very limited participation from other Ministries and Agencies. The presence of experts, scholars, and business people has also been minimal.

[61] The fourth FMM (FMM IV) in January 2011, in Tokyo, decided to establish the FEALAC Cyber Secretariat for better management and promotion of the Forum, as proposed by Korea. The Cyber Secretariat is now functioning and the Vision Group urged that more FEALAC member countries use it more frequently as a means of communication and dissemination in between meetings.

[62] The Vision Group also acknowledged the decision taken in Tokyo to create a Coordinating Board to follow up on the decisions taken by Foreign Ministers and SOM, and to improve the coordination among the three WGs. The Vision Group noted that there is a need still for the Coordinating Board to be consolidated, with clear-cut terms of reference and modus operandi.

[63] The Vision Group also considered the funding of FEALAC activities. At present, most FEALAC activities are funded on a national level, with each FEALAC member contributing a part if that member chooses to participate. As such, there have been instances of activities in which a greater number of countries could have participated if funding for their participation had been offered.

[64] There has also been considerable latitude in what have been considered FEALAC projects, without distinction as to whether all FEALAC member countries participate, or if the activity involves only a sub-grouping of FEALAC member countries. FEALAC also does not distinguish currently between national projects – which form the majority of initiatives – and FEALAC-wide endeavors.

5.2 – Future Vision: Context

[65] In addition to the current challenges and needs in the FEALAC processes, the Vision Group recognized that the future work and development of FEALAC, as envisaged in this report, will require greater and more consistent support. Such support relates to greater political attention within government leadership as well as attending to administrative and financial arrangements.

[66] Moreover, if as envisaged in this Report, FEALAC is to reach out beyond governments to involve businesses and other sectors of society, FEALAC must have sufficient capacity to be a valued and central node in the networks that link between the two regions, now and into the future. Only then can FEALAC be the premier forum for the inter-regional dialogue, understanding and cooperation and enhance connectivity, even amidst the more frequent and varied interactions in other related networks.

[67] The FEALAC governments to date have already called for more efficient and effective processes. They however did not commit to greater institutionalization and funding for the immediate future. There are reasons for caution; the inter-regional interactions are growing but from low base. FEALAC member countries would be well advised to keep pace and anticipate this growth and increase their national capacities and constituencies for greater inter-regional interaction in the future that is emerging. But FEALAC as a process for all its member countries need not be encumbered with bureaucracy and increased costs. Indeed, if these burdens are seen to be too much, they might create expectations that cannot currently be met, and that might then engender a negative push back against FEALAC’s further development.

[68] While aware of present constraints, the Vision Group believes that the current institutions are insufficient for the future development of FEALAC as the premier forum for inter-regional interaction. The Vision Group recommends a strategy that aims to develop the current FEALAC processes and add additional resources and institutions in tandem with the growth of FEALAC activities, visibility and ambitions. For example, in time, institutional networks should, at the appropriate level, develop focal points that can reach beyond foreign ministries to cover other government agencies and civilian/private organizations as appropriate, to involve a broader range of agencies and institutions in FEALAC. Another example of growing institutions in tandem with FEALAC’s activities would be with the iconic projects, like the FEALAC business forums. The participation of business people, policy makers, media and academia is especially recommended and FEALAC needs to have sufficient capacity to help support the host governments in undertaking and making known these forums.

[69] In this strategy, the development of processes and institutions in FEALAC would not be goals in themselves. The strategies and recommendations of the Vision Group instead would aim to make the current processes more efficient and effective, while adding new initiatives to enable a broader outreach to businesses and sectors of society.

5.3 – Recommendations

5.3.1 – Current Processes: The FMM, SOM, Working Groups and Cyber Secretariat

[70] To support FEALAC meetings among Ministers and Senior Officials, the Vision Group strongly urged all FEALAC member countries to make FMM more active and visible by ensuring the participation of most or all Foreign Ministers in meetings. To this end, in the view of the Vision Group, it will be necessary that where governments and office holders change, incoming Foreign Ministers be well briefed on the significance of the FEALAC FMM.

[71] Fundamentally, the Vision Group strongly encouraged that the meetings seek to develop substantive and well-defined agendas to make FEALAC a more efficient and effective process between the governments. The Vision Group urged that FEALAC, through the SOM in a first phase, review the governmental processes to this end. Measures to be considered were discussed by the Vision Group to make the preparations for the existing FMM, SOM and Working Group meetings more effective, efficient and focused.[11]

[72] Additionally, the Vision Group emphasized the need to ensure coordination and follow up actions. The initiative to designate Regional Coordinators should be followed up immediately and national focal points should be mandated to reach out across the government broadly. The Vision Group views the role of the Coordinating Board to be to serve as a standing organ which coordinates the activities of the Working Groups (WGs), takes stock of national and FEALAC-wide joint projects, and prepares a report on these matters for the SOM. The Vision Group further recommended ways to strengthen the process for coordination and follow up and urged that the WG Chairpersons be enabled to play a more active role.[12]

[73] The need for focal points in each member country was also emphasized by the Vision Group. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of each FEALAC government may undertake to serve as an effective national focal point to coordinate responses from various national bodies and agencies. As FEALAC undertakes more and different projects (as discussed in this report), activities will involve more and diverse national institutions as well as various groups and sectors of society.[13]

[74] Efforts must also be renewed for each FEALAC member to utilize and support the Cyber Secretariat, hosted by Korea, as a mechanism to follow up on the decisions made at the SOM and WG meetings. The member countries are recommended to establish national FEALAC websites and link these national websites of FEALAC with the Cyber Secretariat if they have not yet done so. It is recommended that member countries should also explore ways and means to support the cyber secretariat in terms of funding and human resources. As the work of FEALAC progresses and requires support, FEALAC may look into the long term and may consider the establishment of a permanent FEALAC secretariat.

5.3.2 – Division of Working Groups

[75] To support and develop the new initiatives mentioned above, the Vision Group recommends that FEALAC relook at the division of Working Groups to restructure them for greater effectiveness and comprehensive discussion on macro strategic issues covering political, economic and social areas. The restructuring should enable greater focus on their specific subjects and more diverse representation, where needed, so that relevant agencies are more engaged. Additional issues should also be emphasized such as trade facilitation, sustainable development and the social dimension.

[76] It is also recommended that FEALAC focus on developing and implementing projects with inter-regional impact and benefits in their respective areas of cooperation. The Vision Group recommends that each working group develop and adopt terms of reference and work plans to respond to FEALAC’s main goals and priority areas identified by Ministers that could lead to specific action-oriented initiatives and projects mutually beneficial for both regions.

5.3.3 – Improving Governmental Processes, Working Towards a FEALAC Summit

[77] The Vision Group discussed the possibility of convening a FEALAC Summit. There was agreement that this is not viable immediately. Nevertheless, the Vision Group believes that FEALAC can develop in the medium and longer-term to be the premier Forum for inter-regional dialogue, understanding and cooperation between two regions that will grow to further influence and impact the world. As governmental processes led by the foreign ministries grow to involve other institutions in government, broaden to engage key sectors in society, and build projects for greater visibility and impact, FEALAC should consider working towards a FEALAC Summit in the longer term which would appropriately mark the increased relevance and importance of FEALAC.

[78] A Summit-level meeting can help FEALAC draw broader attention from within the governments and from society at large and thus encourage greater and broader participation. Therefore, given the broader context of the increasing importance of inter-regional relations between East Asia and Latin America in a more multi-polar world, it would be commensurate for FEALAC to eventually hold a Summit, equivalent to summitry with other major regions. A FEALAC Summit would provide a clear and strong signal of the importance of the inter-regional relations to the governments and peoples of the two regions. Working towards a FEALAC Summit would serve as an aspiration for the development of FEALAC processes and activities and, if and when held, significantly mark the growth of FEALAC.

5.3.4 –National Initiatives, Co-funding and Common Funds

[79] As FEALAC activities grow and efforts broaden, the Vision Group anticipates that questions of funding, already perceived at present, will increasingly arise. This is especially due to the diversity of FEALAC member countries in terms of size, resources and levels of economic development.

[80] The Vision Group acknowledges that national projects might continue to be the primary form of FEALAC projects in the immediate term and will continue thereafter. The Vision Group therefore encourages FEALAC member countries to create, expand, or increase national projects and use them to enhance the visibility of FEALAC as a whole. The Vision Group further encourages that national initiatives be extended as widely as possible across the FEALAC member countries. Moreover, where possible and as considered appropriate, the FEALAC member country undertaking a national initiative should consider offering financial assistance for participation to other FEALAC member countries.

[81] Looking ahead to the longer term, the Vision Group believes that co-funding and common funds for FEALAC activities deserve particular attention. The provision of such funds can help ensure that FEALAC-wide projects and activities are equitably and sustainably supported with the full participation and access of all FEALAC member countries. Only with the broadest participation and access can FEALAC as a whole develop a sense of ownership in each of its member countries.

[82] For the funding of the iconic projects recommended in this Report, the Vision Group encourages FEALAC to look to develop models to allow and encourage co-funding and common funds. For the longer term, as processes and activities develop, FEALAC should set clear guidelines for funding for FEALAC activities and again consider co-funding and common funds. Along this line, the Vision Group considered the model of the Asia Europe Foundation (ASEF) in augmenting the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) and funding certain activities under its aegis.[14]

[83] In this connection, the Vision Group discussed the conditions and criteria which would allow an activity to be considered as coming under “FEALAC” as a whole as compared to a project that is nationally organized and financed by a single FEALAC member country, or a sub-group of member countries. The Vision Group believed that there might be differences in the levels of recognition and support given to FEALAC-wide undertakings as opposed to those by a sub-group or as a national initiative. FEALAC wide projects should be distinguished as a “FEALAC project” while the latter two be called, “FEALAC National Project” or (in the case of a sub group) a “FEALAC joint project”.

[84] At the same time, the Vision Group believes that the sub-group activities could provide examples and directions for future cooperation for FEALAC in its entirety and therefore deserve a corresponding degree of encouragement and recognition as FEALAC develops. The Vision Group agreed that associating more of these projects – whether national, joint or encompassing all of member countries --under the FEALAC name will help raise the group’s “brand”, provided that these projects are credibly and properly associated with FEALAC.

5.3.5 – Participation of Regional and International Organizations

[85] The Vision Group considered the roles that regional organization like the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC/CEPAL) can possibly play in helping FEALAC develop. Given their expertise and funding, the Vision Group felt that these organizations can do much in studying how to promote major linkages and economic relationships between both regions. In this regard, the participation of ADB, IDB and ECLAC/CEPAL in FEALAC should be desirably augmented and regularized to complement and support the participation of FEALAC country governments, under the existing coordination and leadership structures.

[86] Another possibility considered is to formulate projects with these and other regional and international organizations, such as the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia (UNESCAP) or any other regional and international institutions. The aim would be to work with these organizations in order to access funds and share expertise under the banner of FEALAC. Moreover, the Vision Group considered that the support of the CAF (“Corporación Andina de Fomento” or Development Bank of Latin America) to the ALADI (LAIA)/CEPAL (ECLAC) Observatory presented to the Group in its second meeting (Meeting II) in Lima was a development worthy of special attention.

[87] In the short to medium term, the Vision Group felt that the participation of these organizations can augment FEALAC’s capacity in studying and making recommendations for activities and new policies in different areas especially the development of economic linkages.

[88] The Vision Group recognizes that working with such other institutions can benefit FEALAC, especially in efforts to help the businesses and private sector gain a better understanding of the economic trends and opportunities. FEALAC governments should systemize and make available these resources to their businesses by deepening cooperation with regional and international institutions. The Vision Group recommends FEALAC discuss and agree on the best mechanism to establish a permanent relationship to enhance financial and technical cooperation with regional and international organizations; share best practices and successful experiences in order to deepen bi-regional cooperation (ASEM, EU-LAC); and invite representatives of international fora to brief the FEALAC SOM, Working Group meetings and FMM on their organizations’ work which impacts or is relevant to FEALAC´s activities (APEC, G20 and others).

6. Conclusion

[89] In carrying out their work to offer an evaluation of FEALAC´s performance and to propose its future vision, the Vision Group members were well aware of their considerable responsibility. This is especially so as the global community is at a particularly challenging juncture in its multilateral structures and the inter-regional exchange between East Asia and Latin America has grown, alongside other regional and inter-regional cooperation.

[90] While FEALAC has been sustained and grown, the Vision Group considered that there is still a lack of knowledge in both regions regarding the other and that FEALAC can do much more to gain visibility and increased credibility and effectiveness. The Vision Group concluded that there is more that can and should be done so that the two regions can better foster their inter-regional dialogue and understanding and move towards increasing connectivity and cooperation and that FEALAC can and should be further developed to serve as the premier inter-regional forum for this purpose.

[91] While holding that strategic aim, the Vision Group has also sought to be realistic about FEALAC’s current levels of achievement and on-going processes. The Vision Group is in agreement that FEALAC must not only become more efficient and effective to move its current agenda, but moreover that the group must set higher goals and aspire to a greater vision. This aspiration is what the Vision Group intends when they suggest that FEALAC should develop itself as the premier Forum for inter-regional dialogue and understanding to foster cooperation and to enhance connectivity and nurture further cooperation between member countries from the two regions. The Vision Group believes that FEALAC should include governments and the peoples of both regions, especially youths and academia, as well as the private sector businesses of FEALAC member countries so that the inter-regional relationship between East Asia and Latin America can deepen and broaden to become an essential component of the global system.

[92] This vision, if agreed upon by the FEALAC member countries, cannot be achieved overnight but neither is it beyond reach of the Forum provided that each member agrees with it and dedicates sufficient and appropriate resources of political attention, time, effort and funding. In putting forward this vision for FEALAC, the Vision Group has sought to recognize not just the possibilities ahead but also the past and current accomplishments, limitations and parameters for cooperation.

[93] The Vision Group has therefore sought to devise the various recommendations in this Report to acknowledge where there are those to be followed immediately while others must be developed for the medium term while still others will in likelihood only come into activity in the longer-term future. The Vision Group’s effort has therefore been to imagine an initial reinvigoration and re-examination of current FEALAC processes and undertakings, with the view of incrementally improving the same. Bolder steps have also been suggested, not least to establish a number of iconic projects from now and into the medium term. Key recommendations from the preceding chapters should not be viewed as a single, one-time task but viewed in terms of on-going effort from the immediate-, to medium- and longer term goals.

Appendix I: Vision Group Members

Vision Group Members (by country, in alphabetical order in English)

Country	Vision Group Members	Position	Department
Argentina	Mr.Carlos Albisetti	Minister	Asia Pacific, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Argentina	Mr.Daniel Polski	Ambassador, Director	Directorate of Asia and Oceania - Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Brazil	Mr.Marcos Bezerra Abbott Galvâo	Ambassador	Embassy of Brazil in Tokyo
Brazil	Mr.Alcides. G.R. Prates	Ambassador	Ministry of External Affairs, Brasilia
Cambodia	Mr.Meas Kimheng	Advisor to the Deputy Prime Minister	Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
Chile	Mr. Rafael Puelma	Counsellor	Embassy of Chile in Jakarta
China	Mr. Gou Haodong	Counsellor	Department Latin America and Caribbean Affairs of Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Colombia	Mr. Jaime Martinez	Dean	School of Economics and Administrative Sciences Javeriana University Cali
Ecuador	Mr. Eduardo Calderón	Ambassador	Embassy of Ecuador in Indonesia
Ecuador	Mr. Marco Arias	Executive Secretary	Cuenca del Pacifico Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Integration
Indonesia	Mr.Pitono Purnomo	Head/ Director General	Policy Analysis and Development Agency - Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Japan	Mr. Keiichi Tsunekawa	Vice President	National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies
Korea	Mr. Won-ho Kim	Professor	Graduate School of International and Area Studies, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies
Lao PDR	Mr.Bounpan Kongnhinsayaseng	Deputy Director General	Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Institute of Foreign Affairs
Mexico	Ms. Monica Ochoa Palomera	Director	Transpacific Cooperation Mechanisms Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Myanmar	Mr. Hay Khan Sum	Deputy Permanent Representative	Permanent Mission of the Republic of Union of Myanmar to ASEAN
Peru	Mr. Carlos Aquino	Professor	San Marcos National University
Singapore	Mr.Simon Tay	Chairman	Singapore Institute of International Affairs and Associate Professor, Faculty of Law, National University of Singapore
Thailand	Mr.Somjai Phagaphasvivat	Associate Professor	Faculty of Political Science - Thammasat University
Uruguay	Ms. Alison Graña	Secretary of the Foreign Servicer	Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Directorate of Asia, Africa and Oceania
	Mr. Marcelo Magnou	Deputy Director	Directorate of Asia, Africa, and Oceania-Ministry of Foreign Affairs
	Mr. Alfredo Raggio	Ambassador	Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uruguay
Venezuela	Ms.OriettaCaponi	Director	Office of Asia and Middle East, Ministry of Foreign Affair

Chairman (1^st and 2^ndMeetings): Mr. Won-Ho Kim

Chairman (3^rd and 4^thMeetings): Mr. Carlos Aquino

Overall editor of final report: Associate Professor Simon Tay

Overall editors of 1^st draft report: Ms. Maria Fernanda Vila of Chile and Associate Professor Simon Tay

Authors of initial draft chapters

International Situation and the Strategic Objectives: Dr. Somjai Phagaphasvivat (Editor), Ambassador Marcos Bezerra Abbott Galvão and Ambassador Alcides Gastão Rostand Prates (Co-Editors)

Politics, Culture and Sports: Minister Carlos Albisetti, Ambassador Daniel Polski (Editors) and Ambassador Kim Heng Meas (Co-Editor)

Economy and Society: Dr. Carlos Aquino (Editor) and Associate Professor Simon Tay (Co-Editor)

Science & Technology and Education: Dr. Jaime Martínez Gandini (Editor) and Dr. Won-Ho Kim (Co-Editor)

Institutional Arrangements: Dr. Keiichi Tsunekawa (Editor) and Counselor Rafael Puelma (Co-Editor)

Appendix 2: The Vision Group Mandate

FEALAC was officially established at the first FMM held in 2001. But the idea to establish a link between East Asia and Latin America was first aired by then Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong of Singapore at his meeting with then President Eduardo Frei of Chile in 1998. At that time, both shores of the Pacific were joined through the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) while Europe was linked to Asia through the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM). FEALAC was thus formed to bridge the "missing link" between these two regions. The key objectives of FEALAC as outlined in the “Framework Document for Dialogue and Cooperation between East Asia and Latin America”, also known as the “FEALAC Framework Document” are:

· To increase and improve mutual understanding, trust, political dialogue and friendly cooperation among member countries with a view to enriching and sharing experiences, and developing new partnerships;

· To tap the potential of multidisciplinary cooperation in areas of economics, trade investment, finance, culture, tourism, science and technology, environmental protection, sport and people-to-people exchange; and

· To expand the common ground on important international political and economic issues with a view to working together in different international fora in order to safeguard common interests.

The “FEALAC Framework Document” was adopted by member countries at the inaugural FEALAC Ministerial Meeting or Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (FMM I) from 29-30 March 2001 in Santiago, Chile. Three Working Groups were also established during FMM I. The objectives of the Working Groups are to strengthen dialogue and cooperation through the initiation of FEALAC-wide projects in the fields of politics, culture (including sports), education, economy, society, and science and technology.

The 36 countries participating in FEALAC are:

· Latin America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela.

· East Asia: Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Republic of Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Mongolia.

FEALAC Ministers mandated the Vision Group on the fifth FMM (FMM V) held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on the 25^th of August 2011, to consider and propose a vision for the future development of this Forum and propose new ideas for the near-, medium- and longer-term for FEALAC to move forward towards achieving that vision.

In carrying out their work, the Vision Group considered and briefly evaluated FEALAC´s progress to date, as requested by the Foreign Ministers at the 5th FMM. However the Vision Group gave even more on efforts to propose future paths forward for FEALAC, looking to suggest immediate, medium- and longer-term steps that could be taken. The Vision Group was guided by views and directions articulated by FEALAC deliberations while considering a changing global context and whether strategic objectives need to be updated and reformulated. Attention was given to the following FEALAC documents in particular:

· the “Framework For a Forum for Dialogue and Cooperation Between East Asia and Latin America”(also known as the “FEALAC Framework Document”), considered at FMM I held in Santiago, Chile, in 2001;

· the “Manila Plan of Action to Further Enhance Cooperation Between East Asia and Latin America”, resulting from the FMM II held in Manila, the Philippines, in 2004;

· the “Brasília Ministerial Declaration and Programme of Action” resulting from the FMM III held in Brasília, Brazil in 2007;

· the “Tokyo Declaration”, resulting from the FMM IV in Tokyo, Japan held in January 2010;

· the “Revitalization, Enhanced Visibility, and Future Direction of FEALAC, considered by the 11^th FEALAC Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM XI) held in Indonesia, in October/November, 2010;

· the “Buenos Aires Declaration”, resulting from FMM V held in Argentina in 2011; and also

· the document itself on the “Establishment of FEALAC Vision Group”, proposed by the Republic of Korea to the SOM XI and XII and approved by the FMM V in Buenos Aires in 2012.

Work Process and Structure of Report

The Vision Group was constituted shortly before its first meeting, held in Seoul, on the 13^th of March, 2012, comprised of 16 members, eight from each region. In working together, the Vision Group nominated editors for each of the chapters (Meeting I) as well as two members to serve as overall editors to bring together the final report (Meeting II). In keeping with the spirit of FEALAC as a bi-regional process, the editors were drawn from the two regions. At the conclusion of its mandate, the Vision Group was comprised of 18 members, 10 from Latin America and 8 from East Asia. A list of the Vision Group members and the editors is set out in Appendix 1.

The Final Report of the Vision Group was concluded at the fourth and final meeting (Meeting IV) to be submitted to FEALAC Ministers during their sixth meeting in Bali, Indonesia, in June 2013 (FMM VI). The Vision Group set a work agenda and held meetings as follows:

· Seoul, Korea (13^th of March 2012)

· Lima, Peru (11^th-12^th October 2012)

· Cali, Colombia (7^th-9^th March 2013)

· Bali, Indonesia (4^th-6^th June 2013)

In between these meetings, the Vision Group worked collaboratively by emails, both directly and with the support of the virtual secretariat. A draft of this Report was circulated at the beginning of 2013 and discussed before the Cali meeting, with further amendments and finalization before the Bali meeting. The Vision Group acknowledges with thanks the support of the governments that hosted its meetings and the support of the virtual Secretariat.

The chapters in this Report are derived, with some amendments (the placing of education, for example), on the three Working Groups within FEALAC – on politics, culture and sports (Chapter 2); economy and society (Chapter 3); and education, science and technology (Chapter 4) - with additional chapters on the international situation and strategic objectives (Chapter 1) and on institutional aspects (Chapter 5). Each chapter, with the exception of the first, is structured to begin with a brief evaluation of past and on-going FEALAC activities, followed by discussion and recommendations

End Notes

[1]“Shaping the Future of the Asia-Latin America and Caribbean Relationship” co-edited by the ADB and IDB (BID)

[2] See 3.3.1 p.11

[3]See 4.3.1 p.14

[4]See 4.3.2 p.15

[5] See 2.3.1 p.8

[6] See 2.3.2 p.9

[7]See 2.3.3 p.9

[8] See3.1.1 p.11

[9] See 3.3.3 p.12

[10] See 5.3.1 p. 19

[11]See 5.3.2 p.19

[12]See 5.3.4 p.19

[13] See 5.3.5 p.20

[14] See.5.3.3 p.19

[1] The first key objective agreed in the Framework for a Forum for Dialogue and Cooperation Between East Asia and Latin America adopted by member countries at the inaugural FEALAC Ministerial Meeting (FMM I) from 29-30 March 2001 in Santiago, Chile.

[2]Paragraph 31: “We reaffirm our commitment to strengthening the important role of multilateralism and a multilateral international system with the United Nations at its heart. We reaffirm that the need for a comprehensive reform of the United Nations remains a priority for the organization in order to most effectively address today’s global challenges and ensure an effective support for its members, including addressing the needs of developing countries. We stress the importance of the reform in order to achieve a more democratic, representative, legitimate, efficient, effective and accountable UN Security Council, a revitalized General Assembly and an enhanced Economic and Social Council.”

[3]For example, at present, the world challenges that FEALAC documents already reflect, include, among others, the vulnerability of financial markets; increased public deficits and debts in advanced economies with consequent adverse impact on the fragile world economic recovery; terrorism; transnational organized crime; corruption; environmental issues, particularly climate change, which has increasingly affected the life on earth and even mankind survival(like rising sea level threatening the coastal nations);the impact of human activities in all dimensions, resulting in increasing socio-economic problems; risks to food security; the rising incidences of other natural disasters (such as tsunamis).

[4] See Appendix 2: The Vision Group Mandate

[5]This observation agrees with the assessment of FEALAC Ministers and Senior Officials: “We recognized that FEALAC's activities should be more focused and systematic for better coordination and effective management” (Paragraph 22, Tokyo Declaration, FMM IV) and “We also recognize that FEALAC's cooperation needs to be crosscutting and action oriented to produce tangible benefits and substantial results. Activities of the Working Groups should be more focused and systematic for better coordination and effective management to avoid duplication” (Paragraph 45, Buenos Aires Declaration, FMM V).

[6]The Vision Group noted that a course for football managers in 2011, promoted as national project by Brazil and from which the results were clearly encouraging.

[7]The insufficiency of the present structure of cooperation has been clearly identified and portrayed in inspiring detail by studies, presented to and considered by the Vision Group, namely: “Shaping the Future of the Asia-Latin America and Caribbean Relationship” co-edited by the ADB and IDB; “Forum for East Asia-Latin America Cooperation (FEALAC) – New bi-regional trade and investment relations in a changing world economic environment” released by ECLAC/CEPAL; and access to the “Observatory of the Latin-American and Asia-Pacific Economic Relations”, sponsored by LAIA, ECLAC/CEPAL and the CAF.

[8]Some FEALAC member countries have already initiated forums to generate interest and awareness in their business community of the opportunities in countries of the other region, either on a regular or occasional basis. Countries that have reported such Forums include China, Singapore, Thailand and Colombia.

[9]To especially facilitate the engagement of SME’s across the two regions, the Vision Group discussed the nature of the e-resources. Some members considered the need to provide relevant information and studies through well organized and widely available e-resources, with a website for FEALAC business information. Some members further suggested that website and e-resources could include information items like a directory of enterprises by economic sectors, import and export companies, production offer per country, investment opportunities, investment agencies, guides on how to develop businesses, “briefing papers” on specific topics, among other sorts of information.

[10]From its 3^rd Working Group meeting, education was moved to the Working Group on Politics, Culture and Sports, and in the 8^th meeting of the Working Group on Science and Technology, it was suggested that education be moved back to the Working Group on Science and Technology. The Vision Group, at its first meeting at Seoul, agreed to recommend that Education be moved back to the Working Group on Science and Technology.

[11] The Vision Group discussed the need to set clearer and more concrete objectives and agenda of the FMM, and to do so further in advance of the meeting. Senior Officials must coordinate amongst themselves fully and in a more efficient manner, assisted by the Regional Coordinators. Some measures to consider include changing the format of the draft agenda to include a brief description of the discussion points and expected outcomes under each agenda item, with the practice of distributing meeting documents well in advance of the meeting, and meeting reports to record specific agreements and other points for follow up action.

[12]The Vision Group discussed the need to provide the Coordinating Board with well-defined Terms of Reference which clearly indicate its mandate, composition, and modus operandi. It was further suggested that, in order to realize better coordination amongst the WGs and between the WGs and the SOM, the Coordinating Board must meet, in person or electronically, before the SOM and WGs to specifically discuss the status of on-going projects as well as agendas and expected outcomes of the coming meeting to ensure its efficient management. This is particularly desirable when the Coordinating Board meets in preparation for the SOM meetings immediately before FMM meetings. To give the responsibility of the inter-sessional communication to the Co-chairs of each WG, the officials should take charge to communicate directly with FEALAC member countries to advance the work of their groups, follow-up on issues between sessions, and to properly prepare for each meeting.

[13]The Vision Group urged the WG Chairpersons to play a more active role, and interact with focal points of member countries on a regular basis. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of each FEALAC government may undertake to serve as an effective national focal point to coordinate responses from various national bodies and agencies. But as FEALAC undertakes more and different projects (as discussed in this report), activities will involve more and diverse national institutions (such as National Tourism Bureau, Ministry for Cultural Affairs, and other relevant agencies) as well as various groups and sectors of society (such as universities, museums, youth groups and corporations). Given such developments, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of FEALAC governments may find it necessary to allow the WG Chairpersons to contact these various national agencies directly, for the purposes of diverse and effective representation in areas such as culture and the economy.

[14]It was observed that ASEM activities by governments are separate from ASEF, and are funded by governments directly. Additionally, the Vision Group noted that ASEF is financed, on the one side, with voluntary contributions made by the governments of the member countries, and on the other side, by contributions made by the different institutions (civil organizations, NGOs, academic institutions) that participate in each of the projects.

miércoles, 18 de diciembre de 2013

Ciclo de Conferencias: "Economía Internacional, Economía Asiática y el APEC"

miércoles, 4 de diciembre de 2013

Reporte del Vision Group de FOCALAE