December 15, 2009 – The Asia Institute has joined forces with the Korea Institute for Nuclear Safety (KINS) to conduct a study of the future of nuclear energy in Southeast Asia with an emphasis on the particular safety concerns of the region. The project is part of Asia Institute’s larger Non-proliferation Initiative which considers the overall impact on the world of the increasing use of nuclear power in the current age.
Director Pastreich tours Cambodia and Thailand to investigate energy issues
December 14, 2009 – Director Pastreich toured Cambodia to assess energy challenges in that country and the future of the country’s energy development. He also met with experts in Thailand working on nuclear energy issues to learn more of the social, economic and political issues that inform the debate on nuclear power in that country. Pastreich conferred with Professor Nares Chankow of Chulalongkorn University, a leading figure in nuclear engineering, and met Professor Chaivat Toshkulkao, Secretary General of the Office of Atoms for Peace (a division of the Thai Ministry of Science and Technology).
Director Pastreich speaks at HuCare Conference
October 30, 2009 – Director Pastreich gave a talk at the HU-Care conference at Hanbat National University concerning efforts to encourage green growth in the United States and Korea. HUCARE is an organization dedicated to bringing together experts from both the applied sciences and the humanities to discuss policy issues. Pastreich spoke about American innovations in energy policy.
3E Café International Conference
October 29, 2009 – The Asia Institute’s 3E Café hosted an international seminar via video conference that brought together students from Tsinghua University in China, Tsukuba University in Japan and the Solbridge International School of Business in Daejeon. The discussion concerned efforts at the local level to address environmental issues. 3E refers to environment, energy and economy, the primary concerns of human civilization today. ETRI (Electronic Telecommunications Research Institute) allowed us to use their cutting-edge facilities for the event.
The Asia Institute featured in INFLO Magazine
October 26, 2009 – INFLO, a leading Korean journal on logistics and trade, featured the Asia Institute in its October edition. The article spoke of Asia Institute¡¯s increasing global role and its contribution to the reinvention of the Korean research institute.
Visit of Daedeok Innopolis CEO Kang to King Saud University
October 25, 2009 – Daedeok Innopolis’ CEO Gyedoo Kang travelled to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to present a talk at an international symposium on innovation organized by King Saud University. The visit was organized by the Program Director of Asia Institute’s East Asia Middle East Initiative, Dr. Mezyad Alterkawi. CEO Kang is pursuing closer collaboration with Saudi Arabia in science and technology.
Pastreich speaks about G20 at Asia-Europe Perspective Forum
October 22, 2009 – Director Pastreich addressed the emerging cooperative relationship between Korea and India in a response paper presented at the conference “G20 and Overcoming the Global Financial Crisis in Asia: Strategies for Growth, Development and Prosperity” organized by the Asia-Europe Perspective Forum. Pastreich placed emphasis on the positive role India is playing in bringing integration without great power rivalry in the region.
Pastreich discusses action plan for Ecocity Daejeon with Korean Federation of Environmental Movements (KFEM)
October 21, 2009 – Director Pastreich spoke with core members of the Korean Federation of Environmental Movements (KFEM) in Daejeon to discuss his vision of Daejeon as an ecocity and the ideas promoted by Richard Register, President of Ecocity Builders.
Article on Biotechnology Initiative
October 20, 2009 – Director Alp Malazgirt appears in Hello DD, Korea’s leading hi-tech newspaper.
Director Pastreich attended the Science and Technology in Society Forum
October 03, 2009 – Director Pastreich attended the Science and Technology in Society Forum in Kyoto, Japan, October 3-6, 2009. This event brought together leaders in business and technology from around the world for an in-depth discussion of the state of technology and the prospects for the future. This year’s theme was “Energy and the Environment” and was attended by world leaders including Kan Naoto, Japan’s Minister for National Strategy and Special Officer of the Cabinet for economic, scientific and technological policy, of the Hatoyama administration. The STS Forum is led by Mr. Koji Omi, a leader in Japanese science policy.
Article on the 3E Café appears in Asia Pacific Business and Technology Report
October 01, 2009 – The recent international 3E Café organized by SolBridge students under the aegis of the Asia Institute was featured in the Asia Pacific Business and Technology Report. The article details the efforts of SolBridge students to form a network for cooperation with students around the world to address the challenges of environment, energy and economy. In particular the August international student conference featuring students from SolBridge, KAIST, Tsukuba University and other institutions was highlighted in the article.
3E Forum
September 22, 2009 – Shenzhen, China – The 3E Forum for discussions on the environment, energy and the economy between China, Japan and Korea will meet in Shenzhen, China, to discuss closer collaboration in environmental technologies. This meeting follows on the Tunza Conference in Daejeon and anticipates the debate at the Copenhagen Conference.
The Asia Institute Hosts Dr. Yong Rak Lee, President of Heat Transfer R&D Ltd.
September 18, 2009 – The Asia Institute hosted Dr. Yong-Nak Lee, President of Heat Transfer R&D, on the occasion of his visit to the Daedeok research cluster. Dr. Yong-Nak Lee has a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL and is former President of KSEA, Inc (Korean-American Scientists and Engineers in America). Dr. Lee is a leading figure in the fields of energy delivery systems and green energy technology. He has served as senior advisor to Daewoo Company and holds many patents on heat transfer technology. He has recently been appointed by the Korea Government Agency (MEST) to coordinate the Energy Policy Panel for a long range energy need and development.
Director Pastreich delivers talk on Obama Administration’s environmental policy “Technological Innovation Strategy for Green Growth” Seminar
September 10, 2009 – Director Pastreich delivered a talk entitled “The Development of Green Technologies in the United States: Federal and State Strategies” at the international seminar “Technological Innovation Strategy for Green Growth” sponsored by the Science and Techonology Policy Institute and Ministry of Science and Technology. Pastreich was joined by Xavier Leflaive, Priniciple Administrator of the OECD’s Environment Directorate and Takao Kashiwagi, Professor of the Tokyo Institute of Technology and leading figure in Japanese energy policy.
Pastreich Participates in International conference “Green Korea 2009: Green Growth and Cooperation: Policy Mix and Industry”
September 09, 2009 – Emanuel Pastreich was part of a panel discussion on September 9 concerning “Innovation and R&D Strategies for Green Growth.” The panel was part of the international conference “Green Korea 2009″ sponsored by The Presidential Committee on Green Growth (PCGG), The United Nations, The National Research Council for Economics, Humanities, and Social Sciences. Confronted with global warming caused by increasing emission of greenhouse gases and with the depletion of energy resources, a growing number of countries around the world have been exploring new growth strategies. Assuch, starting last year Korea has set ‘low-carbon green growth’ as the key growth strategy: The Korean government is trying to go beyond ‘passive’ adjustment to climate change and depletion of energy resources, to create new markets and new jobs through green growth strategy, and, based on these efforts, to explore the sources of new growth engines which will facilitate sustainable development. The Conference was begun with a speech by Prime Minister Han Seung-Soo and Senor Fellow at the JFK Belfer Center at Harvard University, Dr. Paula Dobriansky. The six sessions were (1) green growth and water industry, (2) challenges and strategies for green-energy society, (3) role of manufacturing for green growth, (4) land-use and transportation policy, (5) institutional and legislative issues in green growth, and (6) innovation and R&D strategies for green growth.
Director Pastreich Appointed to Advisory Board of ACTS
August 25, 2009 – Director Pastreich will serve from this September as a member of the advisory board for ACTS, the center for cultural technologies that strives to combine Daedeok’s advantage in IT with its cultural assets. Pastreich will be advising ACTS concerning its current internationalization strategy. At current, the Asia Institute is directing a film in conjunction with ACTS about the 3E Forum.
The 3E Cafe International meeting
August 19, 2009 – Youth from Korea, China, Japan and other nations met in break out sessions from the UNEP Tunza Conference to hold the first international 3E Cafe (environment, energy, economy) in Daejeon. Three students from the 3E Cafe in Tsukuba, Japan, visited Daejeon for three days for this conference. Richard Register, President of Ecocity Builders (Oakland, California, USA), the man who invented the term “ecocity” delivered a talk and participated in a discuss of the 3E Cafe held at Daedeok Innopolis the evening of August 20.
Biotechnology Initiative in the News
August 19, 2009 – The Asia Institute’s program director for the Biotechnology Initiative, Dr. Alp Malazgirt of SolBridge, was featured in an interview with Korea IT Times Magazine. The article describes Dr. Malazgirt’s unique approach to innovation and his plans for Daedeok Innopolis.
Director Pastreich delivers Keynote Address to United Nations Environment Program, Tunza Conference for Children and Youth on the Environment
August 17, 2009 – Director Pastreich delivered the keynote address for the international session on water at the United Nations Environment Programme’s Tunza Conference for Children and Youth in Daejeon, Korea. The talk stressed the role of young people in working on the issue of water and is directly linked to Pastreich’s work on the Water Group to consider carefully issues about water security in East Asia. This presentation was part of the Asia Institute’s effort to support this effort to promote globlal cooperation on environmental issues under the auspices of the United Nations.
City of Palo Alto takes up the Asia Institute’s Proposal
August 05, 2009 – The Asia Institute’s project to encourage the formation of an international ecocity coalition has produced results in Palo Alto, California, home of Stanford University. The city of Palo Alto has posted a summary of its best practices in Russian and Chinese language on its website as a means of encouraging the diffusion of policy. This effort to internationalize environmental efforts at the local level and make them acceptable has been central to Asia Institute’s work. The project was funded through a grant from the Korea Institute for Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIMGAM).
Dr. Mezyad Alterkawi takes over as program director for the East Asia Middle East Initiative.
July 02, 2009 – Dr. Mezyad Alterkawi, CEO of the Riyadh Technology Incubation Center in Saudi Arabia, has agreed to take on the role of program director for the East Asia Middle East Initiative at the Asia Institute. In this role he will bring new leadership with an emphasis on the cooperation between science parks in the Middle East and East Asia, his field of expertise. Dr. Alterkawi replaces Dr. Fahad Altouraif, Vice President for Mergers & Acquisitions at NCB Capital, the primary investment bank associated with Aramco. Dr. Altourif will be returning to his primary work after establishing the East Asia Middle East Initiative. Dr. Mezyad Alterkawi has served as the CEO of RTIC (Riyadh Technology Incubation Center) at King Saud University, Saudi Arabia since 2007. RTIC is a leading center in the Middle East for the development of advanced technologies and will form the core of the Riyadh Techno Valley, a next generation science park to open in 2010 under Dr. Alterkawi’s leadership. At present, RTIC serves as astate-of-the-arttechnology incubator on the campus of King Saud Unviersity that encourages and supports innovation and entrepreneurship locally and throughout the Middle East. King Saud University, with its full range of colleges and educational resources,supports the incubator with programs in the science, engineering, medical, and business areas. Riyadh Technology Incubation Center (RTIC) is also a critical part of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to form a knowledge-based economy. Dr. Alterkawi works as an associate professor in King Saud University’s College of Engineering. With a Ph.D. in urban and regional planning from Texas A&M University (1991), Dr. Alterkawi has in-depth training in the technical, economic and social factors critical to science parks and long-term growth in technology. He plays a central role in forming science policy in Saudi Arabia, working with business, government and academia. Dr. Alterkawi is also an important figure globally in the establishment of global strategies for science parks and technology incubators. He is widely known for his active promotion of closer ties between Saudi Arabia and the rest of the world, especially East Asia. His article “Saudi Arabia and South Korea: Partnership for Prosperity” puts forth a vision of a true win-win partnership between East Asia and the Middle East.
Myungja Kim Speaks on Environmental Issues
June 30, 2009 – Dr. Myungja Kim, former Minister of the Environment and assembywoman, serves as the chairman of Green Korea 21, a leading thinktank working on environmental issues in Korea. Dr. Kim spoke on the critical subject of “Green Growth in Asia: New strategies for Business” at the monthly Asia Institute Forum. Her talk marks the launch of the Asia Institute’s new environment-centered research project for business.
Malazgirt takes over as Program Director for Biotechnology Initiative
June 15, 2009 – As part of the second phase of the Asia Institute’s work with KRIBB (the Korea Research Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology), Alp Malazgirt, professional entrepreneur and technology specialist serving currently as associate professor at SolBridge, will take over from Dr. Ian Simon as program director for the Biotechnology Initiative. Director Pastreich will also assume the position of adjunct researcher at KRIBB. Both will work together on the next stage in KRIBB’s internationalization.
Dr. Kamran Eshraghian joins the Asia Institute as Senior Associate
June 09, 2009 – Dr. Eshraghian is best known in international arena as one of the fathers of CMOS VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration) having influenced two generation of researchers in both academia and industry in silicon chip design. He has held over 40 patents and co-authored six textbooks including the classic text “Principles of CMOS VLSI Design: a systems perspective” used by over 800 universities since its publication in 1984. The text has been translated into 15 languages including Korean, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, Persian and Greek. He is the Chairman of Board of Directors of Innovation Labs and was the holder of Inaugural Ferrero Family Chair in Electrical Engineering at University of California, Merced prior to his move to Chungbuk National University, Korea, as the Distinguished Professor, World Class University (WCU) program. He has founded six High Technology companies, providing intimate link between University research and industry. He obtained his PhD., MEngSc., and BTech., degrees from the University of Adelaide, South Australia. In 2004 he was awarded a Dr.-Ing e.h., (Doctor of Engineering) from the University of Ulm, Germany, for his research into integration of nanoelectronics with that of light wave technology – thus creating a new design domain for future intelligent Systems on Chip (iSoC) technologies. His academic genealogy links him to J J Thompson the discoverer of electron and Noble Laureate and as far back to Issac Newton (1668). In 1979, he joined the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at the University of Adelaide, South Australia, after spending some ten years with Philips Research, both in Europe and Australia. In 1994, he was invited to take up the Foundation Chair of Computer, Electronics and Communications Engineering in Western Australia, and became the Dean of School of Engineering and Mathematics and Distinguished University Professor and subsequently became the Director of Electron Science Research Institute. In 2004, he founded ELabs as part of his vision for horizontal integration of nanochemistry and nanoelectronics with those of bio- and photon-based technologies, thus creating a new design domain for future intelligent System on System (iSoS) research. He has lectured widely, been keynote speaker, and presented over 200 workshops in large scale integrated and multi-technology Systems on Chip (SoC) systems.
Indo-Korean Business and Policy Forum
June 07, 2009 – The Asia Institute’s Korea-India Science and Technology Initiative will teamed up with The Indo – Korean Business and Policy Forum to host the India-Korea Business Development Meet on Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) June 10, 2009 . The event was well attended by communications experts. Talks concerned strategies for enhancing cooperation between two countries’ information and communication industries and seeking out possible strategies for collaboration. The forum held a special meaning inlight of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA)between the two countries which is expected to be signed soon and willboost business relations, especially in IT sector. Leading IT specialists from Korea and India will take the podium. Dr. Dong Wha Kum, President of Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) and Dr. John Endicott, president of Woosong University and vice chancellor of the SolBridge International School of Business delivered opening speeches. Specialists in ICT technology and policy from business, government and research will present their suggestions for further businesscollaboration in the ICT sector. Mr. N. K. Goyal, President of the Communications and Manufacturing Association of India delivered a tlak on opportunities in the ICTE sector. Director Pastreich spoke about the importance of IT for the environment.
Report on international collaboration in biotechnology for Korea Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology completed
June 01, 2009 – Director Pastreich, and Dr. Ian Simon of the Science and Technology Policy Institute in Seoul, presented a comprehensive report on international collaboration to the Korea Research Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology detailing strategies for more intense international collaboration in this field. The report entitled “Approaches to international collaboration in Korean biotechnology” was submitted to KRIBB’s Biotech Policy Research Institute on June 1 to serve as reference for KRIBB and other institutes in their efforts to expand international collaboration.
Green Technologies at the Green Growth Forum
May 29, 2009 – Daejeon, Korea – Members of the Green Growth Forum met to discuss progress in efforts to introduce green technologies in Daejeon. Three speakers spoke at length about recent projects involving green innovation in construction and water treatment.
The International Association of Science Parks
May 25, 2009 – The International Assocation of Science Parks will work together with the Asia Institute to organize an international conference on the topic of “Global Green Growth” right here in Daejeon. The conference will bring together leading figures in science and technology from around the world. Director Pastreich welcomes suggestions and proposals.
3E Forum in Daejeon
May 13, 2009 – The Asia Institute organized the first international 3E (environment, energy and economy) Forum featuring leading Asian scholars on the environment at the International Conference on Innovation Clusters (ICIC). The forum was led by Dr. Ji-won Yang, Vice President of KAIST and expert in environmental technology. The 3E Forum (energy, the environment and the economy) was started among researchers at Tsukuba University and the research institutes that make up the Tsukuba Cluster in 2007. Experts in the 3E Forum discussed how the researchers in that cluster could improve collaboration and effectively use their technologies to make Tsukuba itself a leading center for environmental sustainability. At almost the same time, Daejeon launched the Daejeon Green Growth Forum, a group of researchers at KAIST and other research institutes in Daejeon, Korea’s innovation cluster, to consider the same issues. In the world’s first international 3E Forum, experts from Japan, Korea and now the Zhongguancun cluster around Tsinghua University in Beijing, met to discuss how Korea, China and Japan can more closely coordinate their efforts to achieve low-carbon sustainable growth through intense cooperation. Their efforts were recognized at the summit meeting of science ministers from China, Japan and Korea held in Tokyo on May 25 when the assembled ministers pledged closer collaboration in the environmental sciences. This 3E Forum will be followed by a 3E Forum for youth to be held in Daejeon on August 20 at the time of the UN Environmental Programme’s Tunza Environment Conference. the United Nations Environment Programme will hold its Tunza Environment Conference for children and youth in Daejeon for the first time, a sign of Daejeon’s central role in environmental policy. All of these efforts are leading up to the Copenhagen Environment Conference in December at which the nations of Asia and the world will consider future policy on the environment and the economy. The first international meeting of the 3E Forum will be an essential step towards that goal.
The Executive Bridge
May 13, 2009 – The Asia Institute will hold its first student conference “The Executive Bridge” addressing the direct concerns of young people in this age of rapid economic and technological change. Students will learn about networking, job opportunities and resume skills from George Whitfield, senior director of Halcyon Search International, Tom Coyner, president of Soft Landing Consulting and Peter Lynn, vice president of Samsung SDS. “The Executive Bridge” will be held at the same time as the International Conference on Innovation Clusters, an event bringing together thirty CEOs from around the world.
Strategies for Developing Technology in a New Business Environment: Where do we go from here?
April 15, 2009 – Dr. Kamran Eshraghian, famed technology entrepreneur, presented a paper entitled “Strategies for Developing Technology in a New Business Environment: Where do we go from here?” at the third Asia Institute Forum. Dr. Eshraghian is the founder and president of Eshraghian Laboratories Pty Ltd (ELabs), a virtual platform for cutting-edge research into nano-based and micro-based technologies. Dr. Eshraghian is best known in the international arena as the “grandfather” of CMOS VLSI Design. Dr Eshraghian, a distinguished world expert in the field of Very Large Scale Integrated (VLSI) systems and circuits, has held over 40 patents and co-authored 5 textbooks. His achievements include pioneering research work in VLSI technology encapsulated in the standard text Principles of CMOS VLSI Design.
Pastreich talks about Green Growth Forum
April 08, 2009 – Director Pastreich spoke about the Daejeon Green Growth Forum and his recent trip to the United States and Japan with senior business leaders at the Seoul Rotary Club. His talk encompassed the full range of possibilities for economic development based on environmental technologies and the new overtures in Korea for international cooperation.
Pastreich Discusses United Nations Environment Programme and 3E Forum for Youth Conferences in Daejeon
April 01, 2009 – Director Pastreich visited the United Nations Environment Programme in Seoul Korea to meet with Programme Coordinator Ju Youn Kang and Manager Jeon Hyunjin and discuss the Asia Institute’s planned 3E (environment, energy and economy) Conference for Youth that will coincide with the 2009 Tunza International Children’s Conference on the Environment to be held in Daejeon, Korea from the 17 to 20 August 2009. This conference will draw young people from around the world to discuss possible responses to the environmental challenges of our age. The Asia Institute plans to hold its own international conference in coordination with this historic event. The 2009 UN Tunza Conference will be the only opportunity for young people to offer their opinion at the Copenhagen Conference in December 2009.
Director Pastreich discusses Carbon Trading in East Asia
March 29, 2009 – Director Pastreich traveled to Calcutta, India to present a paper on Korea’s Green Growth Policies at the International Conference on Environment Management organized by the Department of Business Management, Calcutta University..” This presentation was part of the direct dialogue between policy programs in Korea and India initiated by the Daejeon Green Growth Forum and the Korea-India Business and Technology Initiative of the Asia Institute. Pastreich also visited the Bilra Institute for Management Technology in Delhi to discuss future cooperation.
Pastreich Proposes Strategy for Korean Economy in 2009
March 19, 2009 – Director Pastreich joined a panel of experts on the economy to discuss “The Global Financial Crisis: Strategies for Korea’s Survival” led by Dr. Koo-Hyun Jung of the Samsung Economic Research Institute. Pastreich argued that Korea must emphasize its strengths: institutional flexibility, a culture of adaptation, skill in combining technologies and the willingness of Koreans to work throughout the world in challenging environments that Americans, Europeans and Japanese will not. Pastreich emphasized the importance of climate change to Korea’s strategy. The Daedeok Innopolis Forum is the primary regular debate on Korean science policy in Daejeon.
Senior Researcher Dr.Bigman talks about Currency and Trade
March 18, 2009 – Research Director Dr. David Bigman presented a comprehensive assessment of the factors determining competitiveness with attention to currency, finance and trade as part of the Asia Institute’s efforts to highlight contemporary challenges to the nations of Asia. The seminar was hosted by Korea’s leading institute on trade and economics, the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy.
Senior Researcher Bigman addresses the Food Crisis
March 18, 2009 – Research Director Dr. David Bigman described the confluence of economic, trade, currency and supply factors that combined to create the food crisis of 2008 in a special seminar held at the Korea Development Institute in Seoul. The talk outlined the complex factors underlying unexpected rises and falls in commodity prices and their implications for consumers and for the least developed nations in general. Dr. Bigman closed with a consideration of the risk of such an explosion in food prices taking place in the near future. Dr. Bigman suggested that such a danger remains significant.
Pastreich Talks about Contemporary Asia and Climate Change
March 16, 2009 – Director Pastreich participated in a two – day conference organized by the Nautilus Institute of Korea bringing together experts from Korea, China, Japan, the United States and Australia to discuss the implications of climate change for global security held in Paju, Korea. The conference stressed the need for a comprehensive response to the overwhelming challenges posed by current environmental trends.
Korea Research Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology
March 11, 2009 – Former President and Senior Research Fellow at the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience & Biotechnology (KRIBB) spoke about new developments in Korean biotechnology for SolBridge students and faculty.
Pastreich delivers Keynote Address on Eco-friendly Cities Conference on Green Growth Cities in Korea
March 11, 2009 – Director Pastreich joined Mayor Seong-Hyo Park in launching a wide-ranging discussion on concrete policies for transforming the city of Daejeon into an environmentally sound urban environment through concrete policies over the next five years. The discussion covered successful efforts by local government around the world to create sustainable communities.
Dr. Steven McLaughlin Represents Georgia Tech at MOU Signing with SolBridge for Cooperation in Teaching and Research
March 05, 2009 – The Vice Provost for International Initiatives of the Georgia Institute of Technology, Dr. Steven McLaughlin, visited SolBridge International School of Business to sign a MOU (memorandum of understanding) for future cooperation including joint degrees with SolBridge and other possible collaboration in research.
Senior Researcher Dr.Bigman on Food Security
March 05, 2009 – Senior Researcher Dr. David Bigman led a discussion of contemporary food security in Asia in light of the challenges of climate change and water shortages at the monthly Asia Institute Forum. The talk included leading experts from Daejeon and Dr. Steven McLaughlin, vice provost for International Initiatives, who was visiting SolBridge International School of Business.
Pastreich Proposal for “Green” Post-Earthquake Sichuan Enacted
February 20, 2009 – Director Pastreich co-authored with John Feffer, editor of Foreign Policy in Focus, a proposal to rebuild the towns in Sichuan damaged in the 2008 earthquake as ecocities. The concrete proposals have been put into practice. Pastreich’s articlewas published in Chinese on July 3, 2008 by China News and subsequently covered in the newsletter of China’s renowned environmental group Friends of Nature (FON). Friends of Nature then made a formal proposal to the One Foundation in November of 2008 for a “green school” reconstruction project for Heihu Town in Mao County, Sichuan. The new building will be a model for environmentally sustainable construction in China. For more information, follow this link.
Director Pastreich to Washington, D.C. and Palo Alto Center for Strategic and International Studies & Stanford University
February 16, 2009 – Director Pastreich visited the United States with Vice President Ji-Won Yang of KAIST to discuss future cooperation on environmental issues, particularly as part of the eco-city Coalition proposed by the Daejeon Green Growth Forum. Vice President Yang and Director Pastreich spoke about the activities of the Daejeon Green Growth Forum at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) on February 17th. This event at Washington, D.C.¡¯s leading center for public policy was well attended by policymakers, especially in light of the concurrent visit of Secretary of State Clinton to Tokyo and Seoul. The two also met with Dr. David Steinberg of Georgetown University, a leading expert in Korean studies, Kevin Doak of Georgetown University, John Feffer, co-editor of Foreign Policy in Focus, and Mike Mochizuki of George Washington University. The two also spoke at length with Mr. Kyle Danish of Van Ness Feldman, an expert on current environmental policy and a strong supporter of contemporary environmental policy. The two visited Stanford University and the city of Palo Alto where they met with Mayor Peter Drekmeier of Palo Alto to discuss cooperation with Asia Institute, KAIST and the city of Daejeon as part of a proposed consortium of ecocities. That meeting was followed by meetings with faculty members at Stanford University, including Professors Barton Thompson and Jeffrey Koseff, co-directors of Stanford University’s Woods Institute for the Environment to enhance future cooperation on environmental technology. Director Pastreich also visited the University of California, Merced, where he spoke about the efforts of the Asia Institute in Daejeon and discussed possible cooperation on the eco-city consortium.
The Current Economic Crisis and its Implications for Technology in Korea
January 29, 2009 – The Asia Institute held a discussion on the impact of the current economic crisis on science and technology at the starlight lounge of the SolHeim Club at the SolBridge International School of Business. The forum had as guest members Dr. Ian Simon of the Science and Policy Research Institute (a member of Asia Institute’s “Biotechnology Initiative,” Dr.Ki-Ho Yi, director of the Nautilus Institute at Seoul and Jung-Soo Chang, editor-in-chief of the Hangyoreh Newspaper. Important figures from six major research institutes and three universities joined in a thoughtful discussion of the future of science and technology in a period of global financial uncertainty. Dr. Ryol-Liu Jang of KRIBB stressed the importance of promoting the awareness of science among average citizens in Korea. Dr.In-Soon Jang, president of the Daedeok Club and former president of KAERI, spoke of the importance of an overarching vision or metaphor that makes the value of science evident to policymakers. Dr. Chang stressed the importance of creative use of system convergence as a strategy for growth. The 15 researchers present agreed on the need for collaboration on future efforts to forge alliances for future cooperation.
Pastreich and Nakamura Attend Daedeok Innopolis Reception
January 20, 2009 – Director Pastreich and Toraaki Nakamura, Program Director for Korea-Japan Environmental Policy Initiative, attended the New Year’s Reception of the Daedeok Innopolis, the center for advanced research in Korea. Pastreich and Nakamura first met with President Gye-Du Kang of Daedeok Innopolis to discuss future efforts to engage with the rest of Asia concerning Daedeok Innopolis’ future development. Pastreich and Nakamura also met with Congressman Sang-Min Lee and Minister of Knowledge Economy Youn-Ho Lee. The topics brought up by the Asia Institute included Korea’s new strategies for dealing with economic uncertainty and science policy and the most effective means of encouraging international cooperation.
President Endicott Signs MOU with Korea Institute for Nuclear Safety
January 20, 2009 – Asia Institute Senior Associate, and president of Woosong University, Dr. John Endicott delivered a talk on the “Limited Nuclear Weapons Free Zone and Nuclear Safety” at the Korea Institute for Nuclear Safety on January 9. The talk stressed the importance of international cooperation and a broader vision of security and technology. Dr. Endicott’s talk followed by the launch of a cooperative effort in business and policy. Dr. Endicott joined with President Dr.Chol-ho Yoon, president of the Korea Institute for Nuclear Safety in signing an MOU for future efforts. The agreement will provide for SolBridge International School of Business to train researchers at KINS in international business practice and for KINS to offer KINS researchers business courses. The Asia Institute will also engage in joint research projects with KINS as part of this effort to broaden perspectives on international relations today.
Members of Daejeon Green Growth Forum Visit Japan
January 17, 2009 – Three members of the Daejeon Green Growth Forum, Ji-Won Yang vice president of KAIST (and Chairman of the Green Growth Forum), Sang-hyeok Yoo, Woosong University professor, and Emanuel Pastreich, director of the Asia Institute, visited Tsukuba, Japan to discuss future collaboration. The visit was related to an initiative being considered to make Daejeon, Tsukuba and Stanford the center of a planned Ecocity Consortium that would span Asia. As one of Asia’s largest research cluster, Tsukuba representatives have expressed interest in closer collaboration. The three representatives first met with Dr. Inouye Isao, special assistant to the President of Tsukuba University and chairman of the Tsukuba 3E Forum. The 3E Forum is a group of experts in the Tsukuba research cluster who meet for regular conferences to discuss their research work concerning the environment. The 3E Forum focuses on low-carbon urban strategies and has a similar imperative to that of the Daejeon Green Growth Forum. Professor Inouye expressed strong support for the efforts of the Daejeon Green Growth Forum and promised close cooperation. Moreover, Professor Inouye pledged to introduce our efforts to others in the Tsukuba research community. Other member of the 3E Forum, Professors Utsumi Motoo and Ezura Hiroshi of Tsukuba University, also attended. The following day, the team of representatives visited Tsukuba City hall where they met with Honiden Taku, who serves as the head of Mayor Ichihara Kenichi’s office. Mr. Honiden expressed his great interest in the proposal for cooperation on environmental issues between the cities and drew attention to a previous agreement of October 16, 1999 for economic, cultural and scientific cooperation that had been signed between Daejeon and Tsukuba. He relayed the general enthusiasm of the Mayor’s office for the proposal. He also spoke of the role played by the Tsukuba which also brings together figures from government, academia and business. The following day, the team visited Japan’s National Institute for Environmental Studies for a meeting with Dr. Yasuko Kameyama, Senior Researcher of the Center for Global Environmental Research. The discussion concerned shared concerns about environmental issues in Asia and global strategies for responding to global warming. The Daejeon Green Growth Forum agreed to pursue a closer relationship with the National Institute for Environmental Studies as part of its larger international strategy. The final day of the visit consisted of a visit to the RIKEN Bioresource Center in Tsukuba, a global repository for genetic and laboratory resources. The team met with Dr. Yuichi Kobata, the Director of the Bioresource Center, and Dr. Masatomo Kobayashi, an expert in environmental biotechnology working on new technologies for reforestation. The trip served as an opportunity to cement close relations between both major research institutes and local government in the central technology clusters of Korea and Japan: Daejeon and Tsukuba. It will be followed up by close discussions concerning exchanges by researchers, members of governments, and ordinary citizens.
Pastreich Visits Japan to discuss cooperation on Environmental Technologies
January 15, 2009 – Director Pastreich will accompany Dr. Ji-Won Yang, Vice President of KAIST, on a visit to Tokyo, Japan to discuss possible collaboration with Japanese institutions in environmental policy and environmental technological development. This effort is linked to the recently launched “Daejeon Green Growth Forum” organized in part by Director Pastreich and recently sponsored by Korea’s Blue House and the Ministry of the Environment.
