The International Relations and Global Affairs major (IRGA) of Mahidol University International College cohosted ASEM Day with the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Department of European Affairs on March 1, 2023.
ASEM Day commemorates the founding of the Asia-Europe Meeting which was established in 1996 with its first meeting held in Bangkok, Thailand. ASEM brings together ASEAN, the European Union and other partners for dialogue, cooperation and diplomacy between the two regional organizations and is the only bi-regional cooperation in the world. Currently, ASEM boasts a membership of 53 partners. ASEM is unique in its geographic scope but also in how it brings over 50 countries together for cooperation on economic, political, social and cultural issues.
The event held in the Charinyarasami Hall of Mahidol University International College’s (MUIC) Aditayathorn Building was attended by Prof. Chulathida Chomchai, M.D., Dean of MUIC; Ms. Asi Mamanee, Director-General, European Affairs Department; diplomatic officers of the MFA, IRGA faculty members and over 90 students. The event highlights included a live simulated negotiation of a final draft communique text which was focused on three major issues facing ASEM countries: Climate Change, Myanmar and Gender Equality. This allowed 16 students each representing a respective ASEM member to live negotiate with support from their teams and MFA diplomats within their given national frameworks to achieve cooperation from conflicting positions.
The feedback from students was overwhelmingly positive noting the learning of new skills and dynamics of diplomacy behind the scenes prior to the event, coalition building and classic give-and-take dynamics of consensus decision-making—the hallmark of ASEAN and ASEM diplomacy. The half day event began at 9:30 am, ending at 12:30 pm followed by a lunch for participants which was generously sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand.
ASEM Day marks the synergy between government and the higher education system which is driving Thailand’s future in a world of increasing risk where diplomacy and negotiation skills will be essential.
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Credits to: Mahidol University International College
