Vietnam Conference at ISEAS: VIETNAM: CHALLENGES OF GROWTH AND GLOBALIZATION, 13 September 2007, Singapore
Vern Weitzel <vern.weitzel@gmail.com>
David Koh <davidkoh@iseas.edu.sg>
date Aug 24, 2007 3:09 PM
subject [Vsg] Vietnam Conference at ISEAS: VIETNAM: CHALLENGES OF GROWTH AND GLOBALIZATION
David Koh
Fellow & Coordinator
Regional Strategic and Political Studies
Institute of Southeast Asian Studies
Tel: (65) 68704529
Fax: (65) 67756264
CONFERENCE ON
VIETNAM: CHALLENGES OF GROWTH AND GLOBALIZATION
Thursday, 13 September 2007
Seminar Rooms I & II
Institute of Southeast Asian Studies
Singapore
A new era of prosperity is dawning in Vietnam, fostered by
economic growth and participation in the globalization
movement. Once devastated by war, Vietnam's economic
performance has outpaced that of other ASEAN countries,
leading to increased foreign investment and entry into the
World Trade Organization. As a result of these benefits,
Vietnam has the potential to join the exclusive ranks of the
Asian Tiger economies.
Strategically positioned, Vietnam possesses the advantage of
sub-regional economic integration of the Mekong area, as
well as acting as a link to the sea for China and Laos.
Additionally, the country enjoys political stability and
through its friendly diplomatic relations with the great
powers (China, the United States, and Russia), Vietnam has
successfully managed to promote its economic agenda.
Despite employing a socialist political system, Vietnam has
undergone notable market liberalization. The Vietnamese
population fields an impressive labour force that is young,
hardworking, and highly literate. The social fabric of the
country is strong and efforts to reduce poverty over the
last ten years have been successful. Additionally,
expatriate Vietnamese have remitted many of their funds back
to the country, helping to end the animosities cultivated by
the war.
In spite of these achievements, Vietnam faces critical
challenges. High population growth requires equivalent job
creation. State-owned enterprises necessitate additional
reform, despite the growth of the private sector. Corruption
is rampant, having developed into a systemic and systematic
problem. Public services like education and public health
are in need of major overhaul. Externally, Vietnam must
confront China's massive economic growth, while maintaining
friendly relations. The country must also solve the problem
of poverty among ethnic minorities in the country and
integrate them into the economy to prevent long-term
disruptions to stability. Like any country participating in
the globalization movement, Vietnam must address the issue
of the transformations in local identity and culture.
Wishing to apprise the general public of these issues, the
Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in Singapore will hold
a one-day Conference on 13 September 2007, to discuss the
challenges of growth and globalization for Vietnam. ISEAS
has invited nine scholars and experts to impart their
understanding of the situation facing Vietnam.
ISEAS would like to invite you to participate in this
Conference.
Participants to the Conference will be charged a nominal fee
of S$100.00 and will be provided with Conference materials,
lunch, and two coffee/tea breaks. Acceptances will be on a
first-come-first-served basis. As a curtain raiser to the
Conference, ISEAS is organizing an exhibition of Vietnamese
paintings by six talented Vietnamese artists. Entitled “A
Touch of Vietnam”, the opening ceremony of the exhibition
will be held in the evening of 12 September 2007 at the
National Library. If you have received this Conference
invitation, you will also be receiving an invitation (sent
separately) to the opening ceremony of the exhibition.
Please send in your response to Mrs Betty Kwan by 7
September 2007. For further enquiries, please contact Betty
at email: <betty@iseas.edu.sg>, tel: 6870-2472, or fax:
6775-6264/6259.
Attached are the tentative programme and a registration form
for your completion.
David Koh (PhD)
Fellow & Conference Coordinator
Encs: 1) Tentative Programme
2) Registration Form
16 August 2007