Winter School on EU-Asia Relations in a Multipolar World inaugurated
Manipal, Jan 10, 2022: “Multilateral cooperation and a strong Europe-Asia relationship are crucial for the global recovery said Niccolo Rinaldi, Head of Unit – Asia, Australia, and New Zealand, Directorate-General for External Policies of the Union, European Parliament.
He was speaking at the inaugural program of a Winter School on ‘EU-Asia Relations in a Multipolar World’ jointly organized by the Manipal Centre for European Studies (MCES), a Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence, and Nordic Centre in India from Jan 10 to 15 at Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal.
The 6-day Winter School is curated by Priya Vijaykumar Poojary, lecturer, and Dr. Yatharth Kachiar, Assistant Professor at the Manipal Centre of European Studies (MCES).
He acknowledged the importance of collaboration and exchange between the EU member states and Asian countries in the education process. Rinaldi stressed the critical role of universities like Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) as interlocutors of strengthening the EU’s ties with Asia.
During the inaugural session, Rinaldi emphasized that the Indo-Pacific region, highlighting its increasing importance reflects in the EU’s strategy for cooperation with the region.
Speaking at the inaugural session, Dr. Yeo Lay Hwee, Director, European Union Centre in Singapore stressed the urgent need to uphold the international order based on rules and principles of international law with the United Nations at its core to address global and regional challenges.
Dr. Neeta Inamdar, the Head, Manipal Centre of European Studies (MCES), highlighted the importance of enhancing Asia-Europe connectivity, which has political and economic aspects and socio-cultural links with people-to-people aspects.
She noted that young people are influential change agents propelling humanity’s movement towards a new sustainable future. To this end, strengthening EU-Asia relations would mean ensuring young people’s meaningful participation in all spheres and public and political life.
“It is necessary to encourage the expansion of educational exchange and cooperation among EU and Asia for sharing good practices of ways to tackle common global issues,” she added.
