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Speakers:
Dr. Philip Calvert, Dr. Kai Ostwald, Dr. Elvin Ong, Claire Kim and moderated by Dr. Brian Job
Event Summary
Hosted in collaboration with IRSA (UBC’s International Relations Student Association), Diplomacy 102 delivered on its promise of exploring the intricate nature of diplomacy in Southeast Asia and more specifically ASEAN. Our expert panellist including Dr. Philip Calvert, Dr. Kai Ostwald, Dr. Elvin Ong, Clare Kim and moderator Dr. Brian Job all explored the multiple layers involved in ASEAN relations and the increasing turbulence surrounding the South China Sea.
Separated into various guiding questions, the discussion began with talks of shuttle diplomacy, recognizing the importance of a mediator such as Indonesian diplomats at the time to create a consensus at the ASEAN forum. Discussions then naturally transitioned into talks of regional security and diplomacy as resident diplomat Dr. Philip Calvert gave insight into Canada’s interest and concerns in the region while Dr. Kai Ostwald, Dr. Elvin Ong and Clare Kim gave more comparative opinions on regional politics, touching base on leadership and economics of the subcontinent. The night ended with an intriguing Q&A session where students were treated to more in-depth discussions such as the Belt and Road Initiative.