On 27-30 September 2006, Poland hosted a seminar titled “Regionalism vs. Universalism in Global Order.” It was implementation of the Polish initiative to create ASEM Diplomatic Academies Network that was proposed in May 2005 in Kyoto during ASEM FMM. The initiative’s aim is to promote partnership and collaboration through contacts between young diplomats. The idea is to stimulate a free exchange of ideas and debate on supra-regional issues, to enhance mutual understanding, tolerance and dialog between representatives of different cultures, and to fight stereotypes through better mutual knowledge.

Forty-two participants from various ASEM countries had the possibility to discuss very recent developments in the world: security issues, role of UN, and WTO negotiations, interfaith and intercultural dialog, as well as the role of universal human rights. Experts from the Netherlands (Dr Peter van Grinsven, Clingendael – Netherlands Institute of International Relations) and the European Commission (James Moran, Directorate General External Relation) acquainted the participants with international negotiations techniques, EU’s policy towards Asia and the role of EU-Asia dialogue – ASEM. They had the opportunity to know each other better, which is one of the main goals of the seminar.