Asia-Europe Foundation - Corporate News

ASEF contributing to the future of ASEM

03 Jun 2013 • An ASEF delegation led by its Executive Director, Ambassador ZHANG Yan, was in Yangzhou, China, on 25-26 April 2013 for the ASEM Symposium ‘Towards Peace and Prosperity in Asia and Europe: The Need for a Dynamic ASEM’. It was an occasion to discuss the future of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) dialogue... Read more »
ASEF’s film.culture360.org showcased in Phnom Penh

06 May 2013 • ASEF's film information platform, film.culture360.org, was presented as a valuable tool for documentary filmmakers at the DocNet Strategy Seminar in Phnom Penh on 31 March 2013. film.culture360.org offers quick and easy access to news, announcements and opportunities for filmmakers in Asia and Europe.... Read more »
Discussing Disaster Preparedness

01 Apr 2013 • Seven Advisory Group Members (AGM) of the ASEF Public Health Network along with an ASEF delegation headed by Ambassador ZHANG Yan, ASEF’s Executive Director, visited Ishinomaki in Japan on 27 February. The area of Ishinomaki was heavily damaged by the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami of March... Read more »
A warm welcome for ASEF’s new management team

05 Feb 2013 • Members of the diplomatic corps, representatives from partner organisations in Singapore, think tanks, research and educational institutions, warmly welcomed the Asia-Europe Foundation’s (ASEF) new management team Ambassador ZHANG Yan, the 6th Executive Director, and Mr Karsten WARNECKE, the 6th Deputy... Read more »
ASEF: a bridge between two continents

31 Jan 2013 • The Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF): a bridge between 2 continents, Asia and Europe, where culture is the language that builds multilateral exchanges Ms Valentina RICCARDI, ASEF Cultural Exchange Programme Manager, was recently interviewed by one of Italy’s prestigious art magazines, Giornale delle... Read more »
Season's Greetings and Best Wishes for the New Year

17 Dec 2012 • NYM2012 Dear Friend, The year 2012 marked a milestone, the 15th Anniversary of the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF), as we celebrated our past accomplishments. 2012 was also a significant year with the 9th Asia-Europe Meeting Summit (ASEM9) successfully... Read more »
Call for tender: ASEF Annual Report design

11 Dec 2012 • ASEF is currently looking for a design agency for the production of the ASEF Annual Report 2012. Please refer to the call for tender below for more details. Interested parties should send in their proposals or queries to Ms Mian Fan at mian.fan@asef.org before 6th January 2013. Call for tender Read more »
Welcoming new ASEM members!

26 Nov 2012 • Bangladesh, Norway and Switzerland officially joined the ASEM political dialogue process during the enlargement ceremony held at the 9th Asia-Europe Meeting Summit (ASEM9) in Vientiane (5-6 November 2012). This brings the total number of ASEM members to 51 partners. ASEF Executive Director, Ambassador... Read more »
Asia-Europe Leaders meet in Laos

06 Nov 2012 • The 9th Asia-Europe Meeting Summit of Heads of State and Government (ASEM9) will be hosted by Laos (5-6 November 2012). The theme for the Summit will be, ‘Friends for Peace, Partners for Prosperity’. This biennial Summit will be an important occasion for leaders of Asia and... Read more »
Driving Innovation

05 Nov 2012 • The Ministry of Higher Education of Malaysia is hosting the 3rd ASEM University-Business Forum, ‘Driving Innovation’, to be held at Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (5-6 November 2012). ASEF Deputy Director from People-to-People Exchange department, Edwige Rozier, will be... Read more »
ASEF welcomes new Executive Director

05 Nov 2012 • Ambassador Zhang Yan takes over the helm at ASEF as Executive Director on 1 November 2012. He succeeds Ambassador Michel Filhol, whose turn as Executive Director ended on 31 October 2012. With his arrival in November 2012, Ambassador Zhang has formally taken charge as ASEF’s Executive Director. ASEF... Read more »
Farewell to Ambassador Filhol

05 Nov 2012 • Senior members of the diplomatic corps, ASEF partners and supporters attended a farewell reception in honour of Ambassador Michel Filhol, outgoing Executive Director of the Asia-Europe Foundation. The reception was held on 17 October 2012 in Singapore. During the reception, ASEF Deputy Executive Director... Read more »
ASEF Board of Governors approve 18 projects for 2013

05 Nov 2012 • On 11-13 October, the ASEF Board of Governors (BoG) met in New Delhi, India to discuss the upcoming ASEF projects for 2013. During this 29th ASEF BoG Meeting, some 18 projects were approved, including the 9th Asia-Europe Journalists’ Seminar (India), 19th ASEF University (Indonesia), Asia-Europe... Read more »
Next BOG Meeting in India

01 Oct 2012 • The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India will host the 29th ASEF Board of Governors’ Meeting. It will take place in New Delhi, India (11-13 October 2012). The Board of Governors (BOG) is responsible for reviewing ASEF's strategic directions to ensure its alignment with the ASEM priorities.... Read more »
Estonian Culture Minister visits ASEF

14 Sep 2012 • H.E. Mr Rein Lang, Minister of Culture from Estonia, visited ASEF this afternoon. The Minister expressed his interest in finding out more about how ASEF is managed, its core values, and its role in promoting Asia-Europe dialogue. The Estonian delegation was received by ASEF representatives including... Read more »
ASEF publication gets featured in IHT

03 Sep 2012 • One of ASEF’s recent publications, “Asia in the Eyes of Europe: Images of a Rising Giant,” gets featured in the International Herald Tribune (IHT). This new book, from the German Council on Foreign Relations, explores how Europeans view Asia. ASEF launched this publication during a series... Read more »
ASEF welcomes new Deputy Executive Director

01 Aug 2012 • Ambassador Nguyen Quoc Khanh, completed his mandate as ASEF Deputy Executive Director on 31 July 2012. ASEF extends its sincere appreciation and best wishes to Ambassador Khanh for his contributions during his tenure. Mr Karsten Warnecke joins ASEF as the new Deputy Executive Director. He is a seasoned... Read more »
Farewell to Ambassador Khanh

31 Jul 2012 • ASEF pays tribute to Ambassador Nguyen Quoc Khanh, the Foundation’s 5th Deputy Executive Director seconded by the Government of Vietnam. During his tenure from 1 August 2008 to 31 July 2012, Ambassador Khanh served the mission of ASEF and contributed to the promotion of ASEF and ASEM. Looking back... Read more »
Seeking 360 ideas on preserving historic cities in Asia and Europe

02 Jul 2012 • Seeking 360 ideas on preserving historic cities in Asia and Europe – tell us about an initiative in your city that you are proud of. Read more to find out... Read more »
ASEF 15th Anniversary gets featured in EURAXESS Links

04 Jun 2012 • EURAXESS Links is a networking tool for European researchers abroad. EURAXESS Links in Singapore publishes information about jobs, fellowships and funding opportunities and the latest research news from Europe and Singapore disseminated through a monthly newsletter and a website. Membership is free of... Read more »
ASEF celebrates its 15th Anniversary

04 Jun 2012 • To commemorate its 15th Anniversary, ASEF organised the Award Ceremony for the first Asia-Europe Short Films Contest in Singapore on Thursday, 17 May at the National Library. Former Prime Minister and currently the Emeritus Senior Minister (ESM) of Singapore, Mr Goh Chok Tong was the Guest-of-Honour... Read more »
28th ASEF Board of Governors’ Meeting

04 Jun 2012 • ASEF hosted the 28th ASEF Board of Governors Meeting. The meeting took place in Singapore on 17-18 May 2012. The Board of Governors (BOG) elected the next ASEF Executive Director and Deputy Executive Director, who will take the position in the 3rd and 4th quarter of 2012 respectively. Members... Read more »
Irish Minister of State supports ASEF’s “vital task”

04 Jun 2012 • Ms. Lucinda Creighton TD, the Irish Minister of State for European Affairs, spoke at length about the work of ASEF during a public talk for the Economic Society of Singapore (24 April 2012). She participated in this talk whilst en route to the ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting in Brunei. In her speech,... Read more »
Looking back. Moving ahead: ASEF's 15th Anniversary

02 Apr 2012 • This year marks the 15th Anniversary of the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF). This is a milestone, an occasion about looking to the future as it is about celebrating our past achievements. I would like to convey my gratitude to all of you for supporting our mandate to promote greater mutual understanding... Read more »
Global Higher Education Forum 2011

01 Mar 2012 • About 300 participants from 25 countries attended the Global Higher Education Forum 2011, “Reflecting on the Past, Designing Sustainable Futures”, held in Penang, Malaysia (13 - 15 December 2011). Prof. Dr. Erich Thöni, member of the ASEM Education Hub's Advisory Committee and co-organiser of the... Read more »
Indonesian Culture week in Singapore

01 Mar 2012 • The Alliance Française Singapore presented A Week of Indonesian Culture in Singapore (21-25 February 2012) based on the works of French journalist and writer Dr Elizabeth D. Inandiak. The week-long affair, supported by ASEF, showcased the culture of the people living around the Merapi volcano in Central... Read more »
ASEM InfoBoard relaunched

01 Mar 2012 • ASEF has just launched the newly updated and redeveloped ASEM InfoBoard, the official website of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM). The site, which was first launched in 2004, has recently been undergoing a major reconstruction to include a new design, better navigation and effective information-finding... Read more »
ASEF Executive Director congratulates the world’s Top Think Tanks

01 Mar 2012 • On behalf of the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF), I would like to express my heartiest congratulations to all our partners and participatory experts from across Asia and Europe who have been recognised as among the Top Global Think Tanks by the 2011 Global Go To Think Tanks Rankings and associated trends... Read more »
Vietnamese ASEM Senior Official visits ASEF

10 Jan 2012 • Ms Nguyen Nguyet Nga, Vietnamese Senior Official of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) (3rd from left) paid a courtesy call on ASEF Executive Director Ambassador Michel Filhol (left) and Deputy Executive Director Nguyen Quoc Khanh (right) at the ASEF office on 10 January 2012. Vietnamese Ambassador to Singapore... Read more »
culture360.org at the Angkor Photo Festival

20 Dec 2011 • The Angkor Photo Festival (APF) seventh chapter took place in Siem Reap, Cambodia (19-26 November 2011). APF is one of the major platforms for young contemporary photographers in Asia which attracted about 1,000 visitors this year. ASEF’s arts and culture portal culture360.org and APF started co-producing... Read more »
Season's Greetings and Best Wishes for the New Year

20 Dec 2011 • Dear friends of ASEF, The year 2012 is of particular significance for ASEF as we celebrate our 15th Anniversary. We could not have made it to such an important milestone without the support of our alumni... Read more »
ASEF Governors visit Raffles Museum of Biodiversity

17 Dec 2011 • The 27th ASEF Board of Governors’ Meeting in Singapore (1-2 December 2011) was followed by a special tour for the Governors to the Singapore Raffles Museum of Biodiversity (3 December 2011). Situated inside the National University campus, it is the national depository for fauna in Singapore for long-term... Read more »
ASEF at UNESCO

30 Nov 2011 • ASEF's publication Mapping Cultural Diversity - Good Practices from Around the Globe was presented at the international conference Activating the UNESCO Convention on Cultural Diversity in Johannesburg, South Africa (20 October 2011). Anupama Sekhar, Project Manager, ASEF Cultural Exchange Department... Read more »
Pakistani new media

30 Nov 2011 • ASEF commissioned a recent research New Media in Pakistan. It offers insights into the development of new media art forms with scope for more exchanges and collaborations in the field. This study is available online on ASEF’s arts and culture portal culture360.org. The research topics include public... Read more »
Regional security

30 Nov 2011 • Can existing regional security structures address current and emerging security challenges in Asia and Europe? ASEF with its partners in the Europe-Asia Policy Forum, will address this issue at a public briefing Improving Regional Security Architectures through an Asia-Europe Strategic Partnership in... Read more »
Prof Leo Tan named Fellow of the Singapore National Academy of Science

30 Nov 2011 • Prof Leo Tan Wee Hin, ASEF Governor for Singapore, was named Fellow of the Singapore National Academy of Science on 24th November 2011. This fellowship title emulates the Royal Society Fellowship in Britain and titles given by the national Academy of Sciences in the United States of America. Congratulating... Read more »
27th ASEF Board of Governors' Meeting in Singapore

25 Nov 2011 • ASEF's Board of Governors during the last meeting held in Lithuania in May 2011. The 27th ASEF Board of Governors Meeting is taking place in Singapore from 29 November to 3 December 2011. The Board of Governors (BOG) is responsible for reviewing ASEF's strategies and policies to ensure its alignment... Read more »
Call for tender: ASEF Annual Report design

22 Nov 2011 • ASEF is currently looking for a design agency for the production of the ASEF Annual Report 2011. Requirements include a quotation for both an online and print version of the report. Please refer to the call for tender below for more details. Interested parties should send in their proposals or queries... Read more »
Courtesy call by Ambassador Zhang Xiaokang

10 Oct 2011 • Ambassador Zhang Xiaokang (center), Ambassador-at-Large for European Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China and ASEM Senior Official of China paid a courtesy call to Ambassador Michel Filhol (right), ASEF Executive Director on 10 October 2011 at the ASEF premises.... Read more »
ASEF welcomes new Executive Director

03 Oct 2011 • Ambassador Michel Henri Filhol takes over the helm at ASEF with his appointment as Executive Director. He succeeds Ambassador Dominique Girard, who stepped down as Executive Director on 31 July 2011. With his arrival in October, Ambassador Filhol has formally taken charge as ASEF’s Executive Director.... Read more »
Dynamic relationships

03 Oct 2011 • Ms Sabina Santarossa delivers a presentation on cultural exchange between Asia and Europe “The world is movement, and you cannot be stationary in your attitude towards something that is moving” - Henri Cartier-Bresson, France’s legendary photographer. Quoting Cartier-Bresson, the Director of... Read more »
World Summit on Arts and Culture

06 Sep 2011 • ASEF will partner the International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies (IFACCA) for the World Summit on Arts and Culture in Melbourne, Australia (3 - 6 October 2011). This global triennial arts and culture event of officials, artists and cultural organisations will involve over 400 delegates... Read more »
The sky’s the limit – ASEF at the Kite Festival Singapore 2011

05 Sep 2011 • Both in Asia and in Europe, the kite is a symbol of grace, diversity and scientific achievements. Flying it often brings together families, friends and colleagues. In this spirit, ASEF staff members from Asia and Europe took part in the NTUC Income Kite Festival Singapore 2011 on 4 September. We had... Read more »
Call for tender: ASEM Infoboard website redesign and redevelopment

05 Sep 2011 • ASEF is currently looking for a external company to redesign and redevelop the ASEM InfoBoard, the official information portal of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM). The deadline for the expression of interest is on 23 September 2011. More information is available on the call for tender. Read more »
In Memoriam: Dragan Klaic (1950-2011)

03 Sep 2011 • We have learnt the sad news that Professor Dr Dragan Klaic, a leading European cultural analyst and scholar, passed away on 25 August. Professor Klaic leaves behind his wife Julia and daughter Nora. Born in Serbia, he was a leading authority in the fields of contemporary performing arts, European cultural... Read more »
ASEF published by international online magazine

31 Aug 2011 • Public Service Europe online magazine published an article, “Europe must learn from the E. coli outbreak” written by ASEF Intellectual Exchange team members. Read the article on the Public Service Europe website. Read more »
ASEF at the ASEM Senior Officials Meeting in Indonesia

26 Aug 2011 • Senior Officials of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) met in the Indonesian island of Lombok (12 - 14 July) to prepare for the 5th ASEM Culture Ministers' Meeting (CMM), which will take place in Yogjakarta, Indonesia, in 2012. The 5th CMM will continue with the theme “heritage issues”, set at the previous... Read more »
ASEF at the ASEM Senior Officials Meeting in Indonesia

26 Aug 2011 • Senior Officials of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) met in the Indonesian island of Lombok (12 - 14 July) to prepare for the 5th ASEM Culture Ministers' Meeting (CMM), which will take place in Yogjakarta, Indonesia, in 2012. The 5th CMM will continue with the theme “heritage issues”, set at the previous... Read more »
New website for Asia-Europe film cooperation

26 Aug 2011 • “Asian and European independent movies need more visibility” according to Jérémy Segay, the film expert and member of the selection committee of the Cannes Film Festival’s Directors’ Fortnight. “In a difficult economic context, it is even more crucial for film makers to rely on both Asian... Read more »
Looking back, moving forward – A conversation with filmmaker Tania Sng

26 Aug 2011 • “A film is such a collaborative medium,” says Singapore-based filmmaker Tania Sng, an ASEF alumna. “It's about people. And I love people. That's why I work in film. I have moments where I want to be left alone and I have moments where I crave creativity with others.” ASEF met with Tania, to talk... Read more »
The EU through the Eyes of Asia

22 Aug 2011 • With the latest phase of its pioneering project, "The EU through the Eyes of Asia", ASEF is expanding the field of its study on perceptions. Supported by the EU-funded Jean Monnet Programme and co-ordinated by the National Centre for Research on Europe (NCRE), the latest phase of this research project... Read more »
Securing Public Health in a Globalised World: an academic conference

22 Aug 2011 • The Asia-Europe Foundation University Alumni Network (ASEFUAN) is organising an academic conference “Securing Public Health in a Globalised World” to be held in Doelenzaal, the Netherlands (3-5 August). This conference will address public health issues in the context of Asia-Europe relations. It... Read more »
Lithuania plays host to 26th ASEF Board Meeting

22 Aug 2011 • Members and representatives of ASEF’s Board of Governors gathered recently in Vilnius, Lithuania, for the 26th ASEF Board of Governors’ Meeting. The 2-day meeting (12-13 May) reviewed ASEF strategy and policies, aligning them with the principles and priorities of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM). Vilnius... Read more »
culture360.org at Live! Singapore

22 Aug 2011 • The Asia-Europe Foundation’s (ASEF) Cultural Exchange team took part in the second Live! Singapore, a global performing arts conference and trade fair, to showcase its arts and culture portal culture360.org. Over 1,290 participants from 53 countries around the world attended the event which took place... Read more »
A fond farewell for Ambassador Girard

22 Aug 2011 • Members of the diplomatic corps, ASEF partners and alumni visited ASEF to attend a farewell reception in honour of Ambassador Dominique Girard, outgoing Executive Director of the Asia-Europe Foundation. The reception was held on 31 May 2011 in Singapore. During the reception, ASEF Deputy Executive Director... Read more »
Farewell to Governor Schallenberg

22 Aug 2011 • Dr Governor Wolfgang Schallenberg has stepped down as the Asian-Europe Foundation Governor for Austria. His successor is Ambassador Dr. Martin Eichtinger, Director General for Cultural Policy in the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs. Ambassador Schallenberg, a PhD from the University... Read more »
Dr Aurelia Frick, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Liechtenstein visits ASEF

04 Jul 2011 • Dr Aurelia Frick, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Principality of Liechtenstein, paid a courtesy visit to ASEF on 21 April. Dr Frick, who is also the Minister of Justice and Minister of Cultural Affairs, was accompanied by Mr Christian Wenaweser, Permanent Representative for Liechtenstein... Read more »
Call for proposals: Cultural partnerships between Asia and Europe

04 Jul 2011 • ASEF is currently accepting artistic project proposals under its Creative Encounters: Cultural Partnerships between Asia and Europe programme. If you have an excellent idea for a multilateral artistic project, send us your proposal before 15 July 2011. Creative Encounters, ASEF's programme... Read more »
Representing ASEF at the 3rd ASEM Meeting of Ministers for Education (ASEMME

04 Jul 2011 • ASEF team members from the People-to-People Exchange department attended the 3rd Asia-Europe Meeting of Ministers for Education in Copenhagen, Denmark from 9-10 May 2011. On the occasion of the third edition of “Asia Europe Meeting for Ministers of Education” (ASEMME3), delegations of ASEM member... Read more »
In Memoriam: Katinka Esser

04 Jan 2011 • ASEF is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Katinka Esser, an active member of the ASEF University Alumni Network (ASEFUAN). Katinka participated during the 15th ASEF University programme in Korea in 2009. She was also actively involved in various ASEFUAN initiatives, such as the Model... Read more »
VIEWPOINT: A perspective of Asia from the ground

04 Jan 2011 • by Mr Rob van Leeuwen When we are young, experiences in volunteering and cultural exchanges have a major impact on our lives. My fascination for Asia started during my second year of Cultural Anthropology studies. After taking up some courses on Southeast Asian cultures, I joined a three-month international... Read more »
A look back at 2010

04 Jan 2011 • A look back at 2010 In 2010, ASEF organised over 40 events, bringing over 500 stakeholders from Asia and Europe. ASEF eNewsletter takes a look back at some of ASEF’s project highlights of 2010. 8th ASEF Journalists’ Colloquium“Youth, Media and Interfaith: Sharing Knowledge, Building... Read more »
How do we perceive one another? October issue 2010 (Vol.8 No.2) on Asia-Europe perceptions

05 Oct 2010 • See “Europe” through the eyes of Asian observers and reverse the mirror: How do Europeans conceptualise "Asia". The October 2010 issue of the “Asia Europe Journal’ focuses on the perceptions of the modern European polity, the European Union and provides first analysis on the ASiE study... Read more »
ASEF alumna receives Prix de la Parole Libre

05 Jul 2010 • Elif Kayi (left) at the awards ceremony with fellow honorees from Chad and France Ms Elif Kayi, an alumna of the 8th ASEF Journalists’ Colloquium, received the 3rd International Freedom of Speech Prize (Prix de la Parole Libre) for her article “Not every Turk is born a soldier”. The article was... Read more »
The Straits Times features the 8th ASEF Journalists' Colloquium

01 Jul 2010 • Inter-faith efforts: Don't just preach to the choirArticle by Ng Tze Yong, The Straits Times (Singapore)Published 26 April 2010 (page A2) The Straits Times correspondent Ng Tze Yong was one of the young journalists who were invited to attend the 8th ASEF Journalists’ Colloquium and the 6th Asia-Europe... Read more »
The Straits Times features ASEMUS programme

01 Jul 2010 • "Touch of Asia in Brussels"by ST Life! writer Akshita Nanda, The Straits Times (Singapore) The ASEF flagship programme, the Asia-Europe Museum Network (ASEMUS), is featured in The Straits Times Life! Section on 1 July 2010 under the report which highlights the exhibition, “A Passage to Asia”, which... Read more »
The Straits Times interviews ASEF Executive Director

01 Jul 2010 • Below is an excerpt from The Straits Times interview with ASEF Executive Director Ambassador Dominique Girard, which was published on 29 June 2010 (page A19). You may wish to visit The Straits Times website to read the full report. "Strong ties are built upon open dialogue: Table Talk with... Read more »
Culture360.org portal’s new look

01 Jul 2010 • The new look of Culture360.org The Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) is pleased to introduce the newly-revamped Culture360.org. Initiated by the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) and managed by ASEF, Culture360.org is a unique multidisciplinary Arts and Culture portal connecting Asia and Europe. Created... Read more »
ASEMUS: Bridging Asian and European Museums

01 Jul 2010 • In recognition of the role that museums as valuable institutions which promote greater cultural diversity and awareness, the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) initiated the Asia-Europe Museum Network (ASEMUS) in 2000. ASEMUS is a cross-cultural network that promotes collaborative programmes and resource-sharing... Read more »
Asia-Europe Short Films Contest

01 Jan 1970 • Read more »