regional integration

speech of canadian prime minister TRUDEAU at the EU PARLIAMENT

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The first ever Canadian Prime Minister addressing the EU Parliament, Justin Trudeau says the world needs the EU

Few ideas to keep the dream of regional integration alive

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With the incoming meeting of the foreign ministers of the SAARC nation in Pokhara, the Leaders of the region should find new ways to reinvigorate the regional integration process. 1st: the Leaders should find time to meet every year. 2nd: the Foreign Ministers should meet every six months. 3rd: the SAARC Secretariat, itself in need of a revamp, should invest in people to people people iniatitives

Promoting Volunteerism in SAARC

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Can volunteerism push forward the regional integration process? What's about the idea of a SAARC Volunteering Corp program? And the idea of having a regional network of organization in South Asia promoting volunteerism and pushing for more cooperation in the sector? This article was published first on the The Kathmandu Post on 18th of January, 2015 under the title 'For One Another"

Reflecting on the SAARC Summit and the overall regional integration process, Interview with Ambassador (retd) Deo, Director, Gateway House

Interview

I had the opportunity to take part at a Panel Discussion on "Expectations from the 18th SAARC Summit" that was jointly organized by the Center for South Asian Studies in partnership with COSATT, south regional think tank network with the support of Konrad Adenauer Foundation.

Among the panelists, Ambassador (retd) Neelam Deo that after a distinguished career in the Indian foreign affair service that included diplomatic posting in West Africa, Europe and USA, is one of the drivers of the Gateway House, a leading international relation think tank based in Mumbai. Ambassador Deo offered her views on the current status of the regional integration process, highlighting the important role that religion can play to further create a common identity.

Ambassador Deo kindly accepted to be interviewed by S4G.

SAARC as an Economic but also Social Union?

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Prime Minister Koirla made a bold statement: envisioning a South Regional Economic Union. There is no economic union that is not also social. Now it seems a dream but with resolute determination from civil society and the corporate sector, the union can become a reality. Creating an economic but also social union is possible but we need to keep and step up the momentum.

Why are they sitting this way?

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The sitting arrangement and the venue itself show the way of doing business at regional level. No doubts that the level of cooperation, forget the level of integration, suffers.

China joining SAARC? No kidding but…

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There is real potential for greater cooperation with China if South Asia gets serious on its integration process but unless the nation members of SAARC step up their efforts to strengthen their regional unity, it does not make sense to talk about a stronger engagement of China with South Asia as a regional bloc.

SAARC Leaders must meet every year. It is all about indispensability

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Only a joint alliance between political leaders and regional non-state actors can point the region towards new horizons. For this reason I hope the SAARC Charter will not be amended. It is high time for civil society members from SAARC nations to speak up, helping the leaders remember why regional integration is worth an annual meeting.

Let a former PM lead the SAARC

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Only a recognized, experienced political figure like a former PM from the region should be appointed as Secretary General of SAARC. This strategic shift can contribute immensely to bring some relevancy to the bloc

Can Modi save South Asia's integration process?

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What we need is a political agenda for a new South Asia. Let allow regional integration bridge the gaps among nations for a common prosperity and well being of all citizens of South Asia. Can Modi show his vigor and determination in adding a new dimension to the process of regional integration?