[ALFP] Unity and Diversity — Democratic Dimensions —

  • Date: October 31 (Fri), 2008 1:00-5:00 pm
  • Venue: Lecture Hall, International House of Japan
  • Admission: Free (reservation is required)
  • Language: Japanese/English (with simultaneous translation)

Despite occasional quibbles over form or content in some countries, there is little disagreement over the desirability of democracy in contemporary Asia. While various countries in Asia have gone
through periods of experimentation with models of democratic governance, there is still a great deal of premium put on the need for democracy. It is also true that conventional models of democracy have often failed to come to terms with questions of identity, race, growing inequities and gender discrimination, as well as with increasingly violent forms of expressing dissent. The marginalized and the minorities have, in recent years, questioned the manner in which democratic majorities continue to disregard their claims and honor their aspirations.

The seven fellows of the Asia Leadership Fellow Program (ALFP), who have interacted with each other and with civil society in Japan for the past two month, will be addressing a public symposium on the theme “Unity and Diversity: Democratic Dimensions.”

Session 1: Democratizing Asia
Thailand: Democracy at a Crossroads?
Atiya Achakulwisut (Thailand), Opinion pages editor, Bangkok Post

Freedom and Its Enemies
Jyotirmaya Sharma (India), Professor of Political Science, University of Hyderabad

Session 2: Deepening Democracy
The Culture of Democracy
CK Lal (Nepal), Columnist and Commentator

Being ‘Responsible’: Free Expression and the Morality of Choice
Gu Yi An (China), Actor, Director and Professor, Shanghai Theatre Academy

Session 3: Institutions and Information
Beyond Candlelit Vigils in Korea
Kim Haechang (Korea), Vice President, The Hope Institute

Strengthening Democratic Institutions in the Philippines: Challenges to Continuity and Change in a Time of Crisis
Chito Gascon (Philippines), President, LIBERTAS (Lawyers’ League for Liberty)

Session 4: Democratic Futures
Living as a Korean-Japanese in a Self-Content Society
Soo im Lee (Japan), Professor, Department of Business Administration, Ryukoku University

For profiles of the fellows, please see this page.

Those who wish to attend are requested to call or e-mail the ALFP Secretariat for reservations.

ALFP Secretariat
c/o Program Department
International House of Japan
5-11-16 Roppongi, Minato-ku Tokyo 106-0032 JAPAN
Tel: +81-3-3470-3211 Fax: +81-3470-3170
E-mail: alfp*i-house.or.jp (Please replace * with @)