Meeting The Challenges In An Era Of Globalization By Strengthening Regional Development Cooperation

This study explores the current state of regional co-operation in the Asia-Pacific region, and the development policy challenges involved in managing the effects of increasing globalisation. It focuses on four key areas of trade, finance, transport and information and communications technology (ICT). Issues discussed include: whether the EU can provide an integration model for the region; regional co-operation arrangements such as ASEAN and SAARC; as well as a number of recent initiatives including the growing array of preferential trade agreements, the Asian Bond Market proposals; the Digital Solidarity Agenda; the Asian Highway; and the Trans-Asian railway.

A Brookings Institution Press and Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) publication Using the experience of postwar Western Europe as a benchmark, José Antonio Ocampo and his colleagues assess how regional financial institutions can help developing countries—often at a disadvantage within the global financial framework— finance their investment needs, counteract the volatility of private capital flows, and make their voices heard. The 1997 Asian financial crisis generated extensive debate on the international financial architecture. Through this discussion, it became clear that services by financial institutions— including adequate mechanisms for preventing and managing financial crises, and instruments for safeguarding global macroeconomic and financial stability—are undersupplied. Furthermore, private international capital markets provide finance to developing countries in a way that effectively reduces the ability of those nations to undertake countercyclical macroeconomic policies. International capital markets ration out many developing countries, particularly the poorest, from private global capital markets. While these deficiencies in the financial architecture are clear, the post-1997 debate has done little to evaluate the role that regional institutions could play in improving global financial arrangements. Regional Financial Cooperation aims to fill that important gap. Contributors include Ernest Aryeetey (Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research, University of Ghana), Georges Corm (Saint Joseph University, Beirut), Roy Culpeper (North-South Institute, Ottawa), Ana Teresa Fuzzo de Lima (Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex), Stephany Griffith-Jones (Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex), Julia Leung (Hong Kong Monetary Authority), José Luis Machinea (ECLAC), Jae Ha Park (Korean Institute of Finance),Yung Chul Park (Korea University), Fernando Prada (FORO Nactional/International, Lima), Guillermo Rozenwurcel (School of Politics and Government, University of San Martin, Argentina)

This book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the Second Joint International Conference on Electronic Government and the Information Systems Perspective, and Electronic Democracy, EGOVIS/EDEM 2013, held in Prague, Czech Republic, in August 2013, in conjunction with DEXA 2013. The 19 revised full papers presented were carefully reviewed and selected for inclusion in this volume. They focus on the currently most sensitive areas in the field, such as identity management as a core component in any e-government or participation system, open data, mobile government applications as well as intelligent and learning systems.The papers are organized in the following topical sections: identity management in e-government; intelligent systems in e-government; e-government cases; mobile government; open government data; and e-participation.

The future growth and development of Asia ? the most dynamic economic region in the world today ? will have important implications for the rest of the global economy. This book offers a futuristic perspective of a wide array of developmental challenges and opportunities facing Asian economies over the next two decades. The future is approached from several different developmental paradigms including technological change and innovation, regional cooperation within Asia and between Asia and the West, poverty reduction, ethics and corruption, and environmental challenges. Future prospects for the two giant economies of China and India are also explored. By offering a comprehensive look at the medium-term future of Asia from such a wide range of different viewpoints, this fascinating book will interest economists, social scientists, politicians, international investment managers and the general public alike.

Analyses the emerging human rights norms, regional institutions and enforcement mechanisms in Asia.

This book analyzes the common set of obstacles to the development and integration of government Information and Communication Technology (ICT) projects and effective e-government initiatives in developing countries. It draws on the expertise and experience of more developed states in the Pacific, notably Australia and New Zealand, both highly rated in global rankings for e-government and active in a variety of e-government development projects across the region. There has been a general failure to identify priorities and align projects with local needs in ICT/e-government projects. Small Island Developing States (or SIDS) present a unique problem in terms of e-government. Not only do they suffer from a common set of barriers to ICT development such as their remoteness, geographical dispersion, moist tropical climates, largely rural populations, and lack of ICT capacity and infrastructure, but are also dependent on external agencies for investment, and must negotiate with powerful donors who have conflicting agendas. E-government is widely regarded as 'transformational', increasing efficiency, productivity, accountability, economic growth, and citizen involvement. But while the governments of SIDS are committed to harnessing ICTs for effective government and economic development, they face major challenges in establishing successful e-government initiatives, due to the problems outlined above, coupled with a lack of HR capacities and appropriate strategies and policies. Drawing on the experience of the states mentioned above, as well as regional quasi-governmental bodies, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), aid agencies, and the private sector, the book will be of interest to researchers and students in the fields of e-government, public administration, political science, communication, information science, and social media.