4th Asia Europe Young Leaders Symposium
Ireland will host the 4th Asia Europe Young Leaders Symposium at the University of Limerick from Monday, 12 June to Friday, 16 June. Representatives from 25 countries - the 15 EU plus the Commission and Brunei, China, Japan, Korea, Indonesia, Thailand, The Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam - will discuss "The Knowledge Society: Challenges and Opportunities for Asia Europe Partnership in the 21st Century."
The Taoiseach, Mr. Bertie Ahern T.D., will open the Symposium on Monday, 12 June at 6:00 pm. The opening ceremony will be held in the Foundation Building of the University of Limerick. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Brian Cowen T.D., will address Symposium participants on Thursday, 15 June at 8:00 pm at a function in the Temple Gate Hotel, Ennis, Co Clare.
Note for Information
The annual Asia Europe Young Leaders Symposia (AEYLS) are a key pillar of the ASEM dialogue process between Europe and Asia. The AEYLS initiative owes its origins to the first ASEM conference of Heads of State and Government held in Bangkok in 1996. The first AEYLS took place in Japan in 1997. Subsequent Symposia were held in Austria (1998) and Korea (1999).
AEYLS provides an opportunity for young Asian and European future leaders to meet and exchange views on issues of concern to both regions. The Limerick Symposium will be attended by over 100 young leaders from the 25 ASEM countries. Delegates will be nationals of ASEM countries, aged between 30 and 45, who have reached middle to senior management positions in business, banking, public administration, industry, media, science and education.
The Symposium will include contributions from keynote speakers on Asia-Europe relations and on the Knowledge Society. Participants will discuss the evolution of the knowledge economy, e-commerce, electronic government, education in the knowledge economy and Asian and European perspectives on corporate cultures and organisational strategy.
Further details on this event are available on the conference website at www.irlgov.ie/iveagh/aeylsiv or from the Conference Coordination Office at the Department of Foreign Affairs - 408 2693.
