The 41st Southeast Asia Seminar
“Economic Development in Laos and the Greater Mekong Region”
2-7 November 2017 Vientiane, Laos
Application Closed

Organized by
the Center for Southeast Asian Studies, Kyoto University and
Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, National University of Laos
in cooperation with Japan Agency for International Cooperation

2-7 November 2017
Vientiane, Laos

The countries of the Greater Mekong Sub-region have experienced dynamic economic development in the recent years. Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos share several common economic development strategies, such as promotion of the agricultural sector, industrialization with foreign technology, as well as management of exports in the natural resources sector. This economic growth trajectory is accompanied by drastic changes in traditional social structures in both urban and rural areas, and poses urgent challenges to ecological sustainability. At the same time, factors of geopolitics over connectivity and transportation infrastructure are also vital issues in the development of the region.

Through five sessions
        Session 1: Key Industries for Economic Development
        Session 2: Rising Agendas on Human Capital: Child Labor, and Medics
        Session 3: Hydropower and Mining Sector
        Session 4: Infrastructure and Development Cooperation
        Session 5: Land, Forestry, and Development
        Excursion 1: Microfinance Association and Field site on Microfinance
        Excursion 2: VITA Park Special Economic Zone

the seminar will examine the history, mechanisms and future challenges of the region’s economic development and improvement of life for the people of the region. Lectures and group discussions will be supplemented with field observations in the Vientiane area.

Held in Vientiane in collaboration with the National University of Laos, we will focus our discussions on Laos, while maintaining a regional perspective on the dynamics of economic development challenges faced by the country and its neighbors.

Program (updated at 25 October)

DAY 1 2nd, Thur. November:
Arriving in Vientiane

20:00-22:00 Welcome Party at the Vientiane Plaza

DAY 2 3rd, Fri.,:
7:40 Depart Hotel

8:30 – 9:00 Registration

9:00 – 10:00 Preliminary Session
Chair: Dr. Hisashi Shimojo (CSEAS)

10:00- 10:20 Coffee Break

10:20 – 11:30 Orientation Session

11:30 – 13:00 Lunch

13:00 – 14:30 Session 1: Key Industries for Economic Development
Chair: Dr. Alay Phonvisay (FEB)

14:30- 15:00 Break and Discussion by Group

15:00 – 16:00 Moving to Microfinance Association

16:00 – 17:30 Excursion 1: Microfinance Association and Field site on Microfinance

17:30 Moving to the restaurant

18:30 Welcome Dinner

DAY 3 4th, Sat., :
7:50 Depart Hotel

9:00 – 9:10 Welcome Address, Dr. Yasuyuki Kono (Dean, CSEAS, Kyoto University)
(Chair: Dr. Ryota Sakamoto, CSEAS)

9:10 -11:15 Session 2: Rising Agendas on Human Capital: Child Labor, and Medics.
Chair: Dr. Ryota Sakamoto (CSEAS)

11:15 – 12:30 Lunch Box

12:30 – 14:35 Session 3: Hydropower and Mining Sector
Chair: Dr. Osamu Kozan (CSEAS)

14:35 – 15:00 Moving to VITA Special Economic Zone

15:00 – 16:30 Excursion 2: VITA Park Special Economic Zone

DAY 4 5th, Sun., :
8:20 Depart Hotel

9:30 -11:35 Session 4: Infrastructure and Development Cooperation
Chair: TBA (from FEB)

11:35 – 13:30 lunch

13:30– 15:40 Session 5: Land, Forestry, and Development
Chair: Dr. Miles Kenney-Lazar (CSEAS)

15:40 – 16:00 Coffee Break

16:00 – 16:30 Preparative Discussion by Group

DAY 5 6th, Mon., :
7:50 Depart Hotel

9:00 – 12:00 Group Work

(Another bus will leave Hotel at 11:50)

12:00 – 13:30 Lunch

13:30 – 15:00 Group Presentation

15:00 – 15:20 Coffee Break

15:20 – 16:50 Group Presentation

16:50 – 17:15 Closing Session

DAY 6 7th, Tue., : Depart Vientiane

 

About SEAS
The Southeast Asia seminar has been held annually by the Center for Southeast Asian Studies, Kyoto University since 1976. Aiming to deepen the understanding of Southeast Asia from various perspectives, the seminar offers four days of intensive lectures by experts on Southeast Asia, together with presentations and group discussion by the participants. This year, the seminar will be held in Vientiane, Laos, co-organized by the National University of Laos.

Contact: seas2017@cseas.kyoto-u.ac.jp