PrintGIFT Paper 2, Thomas Tang: Creating connectivity
Thomas Tang argues how an Asian think tank can play a vital role in making connections between global leaders and civil society that now are missing and leading to an ignorance of issues.
Introduction
In a globalised society, connectivity is key to bridging the aspirations of existing communities and those that are the potential embedded customers of future markets, with the aims of corporations and governments. There is a need for the creation of more vibrant, diverse and constructive channels for connecting the parties. All the evidence makes it very clear that this is the only way all interested parties can come together to share ideas/knowledge and articulate them in ways, which are not threatening, unfairly critical and unproductive. This is particularly important for civil society organisations that are engaged with corporations and governments, and which in many ways seek to represent the societies of the countries concerned, despite their varied views. This paper highlights the issues in creating this connectivity and proposes a vehicle to address this need.
The need for institutions
Connectivity in a globalised society will not take place at random. There is an imperative for organisations to connect but this can only be done through organised means or even more effectively through dedicated institutions. In Asia, there are few, if any, such institutions present that can claim to truly play a part in this process. In addition few if any can claim to be Asia’s representative voice on the role of civil society and its interaction with the global corporate and political environment. Many civil society organisations (e.g. NGOs and local think tanks) are very much focused on local issues and play a very important role but their voices rarely have an outlet to a wider audience due to limitations in articulation and resources. They often then cease to exist after a period of time, out of frustration.
In addition, no one institution can claim to be a voice for Asia given its great diversity. However, there needs to be a start in terms of connecting civil society organisations and giving them more access to global corporations and international platforms which go beyond one-off opportunities and tokenism. An infrastructure needs to be built to create a model of how influential civil society organisations can play a very important role and thereby serve as a catalyst for more. The more mature economies of the western world have created such influential entities over the last hundred years (e.g. Brookings Institute in the US, World Commission on the Social Dimension of Globalisation, Europe, and the International Institute for Strategic Studies also in Europe) and they play an all important role not only in influencing decision makers domestically but in terms of also helping shape international policies. As Asia embarks on the path of open markets and as it grapples with the challenges of globalisation, whilst at the same time becoming the prime candidate for global investments, it needs to create these institutions that over time will contribute in the same way, locally, regionally and globally.
Connecting the lines
With many of the emerging civil society organisations in Asia, the dialogue is often muted, inconsequential or simply confrontational as parties try to stake the higher moral ground and compete for both media attention as well as for fund raising purposes. This has created an unhelpful gulf between NGOs, the corporate world and frequently even governments. Asia deserves better and can do better, so that these critically important parties of society can dialogue as partners rather than as adversaries. Importantly these views should also be given a wider audience
This is easier said than done and, often, a tricky issue, which needs to be well managed. It can create resistance if presented as the dominant views of one party or as representing western views that are seen as being incompatible with Asian sentiments. But it is now being acknowledged that at the same time, it can harm all parties if ignored simply because the subject is viewed as too difficult for dialogue. Training to equip dialoguing parties with the tools, vocabulary and sensitivities to honestly seek solutions relevant to the local context is vital for creating the trust and therefore the success.
A new think tank for Asia?
There are limitations in the current process – global leaders are often unaware of the issues and there are few if any credible platforms from within Asia to inform them. From above it can be seen that there is, furthermore, a need for a process of collating and disseminating key information regarding globalisation issues to business leaders and policy makers. To be credible this needs to originate from within Asia drawing upon the diverse sources of knowledge that exist in the region. Its dissemination needs to be achieved through the creation of appropriate channels for informing, training and teaching at a strategic level.
It is a known fact that there are numerous think tanks outside of Asia (many providing astute analysis of issues in Asia even without the best on-ground “intelligence”) but no truly representative Asian-based think tank that can contribute to the global discourse and tap into the wealth of knowledge in the region. A common barrier is the English language and the problems losing impact in translation but this needs to be overcome.
There is therefore a role for an Asian-based think tank dedicated to addressing these issues with the benefit of an Asian perspective but retaining a truly international outlook.
In its broadest sense the think tank should look at the following themes:
• The challenges of globalisation (opportunities and threats) confronting global corporations as well as governments in the region and how they respond;
• The need to build appropriate institutional capacity with regard to governance issues that are suited to Asian business practices and cultural norms;
• The critical leadership needs that accompany the above; and
• The role and development of civil society institutions in Asia.
In this role the think tank should be a magnet for ideas whilst being a gateway of knowledge and insights.
A magnet for ideas
Part of the role of the think tank should be to serve as a magnet for ideas by providing an easily accessible forum for the disparate views and analysis from within the region. It should actively seek out organisations which provide unusual and pertinent insights on issues and which also desire a more international audience. It should, in this regard, collect and synthesise think piece papers, analysis, articles, surveys and ideas on the theme of ‘ the challenge of our times’. Typical issues would include:
• The impacts of globalisation;
• Doing business in Asia, the socio-economic and cultural dimensions;
• Role of business in society and changing expectations in Asia;
• Fair trade issues;
• Alleviation of poverty and meeting basic needs (shelter and water supply), the inherent business opportunities;
• Managing natural resources; including business considerations;
• Conservation issues and business opportunities from using new technologies;
• Controlling pollution and reducing wastage; and
• Improving health and welfare.
Importantly it should allow the articulation of local opinions on global issues and provide an insight to how affected communities regard the role of government and corporations in their own countries. In turn it may over time also offer alternative views on how powerhouses like China and India will one day be able to export their corporate views and behaviour abroad.
The role of the ‘magnet’ should be to conduct high value research through surveys, interviews with voices from all sectors of the community, literature reviews and source inputs from thought leaders. In this regard it should attempt to serve as a clearinghouse for civil society organisations from the region wishing to provide and be an invaluable source of ideas to corporations as well as governments and vice versa. It may also seek to develop close ties and collaborate with other international think tanks and academic institutions in Europe and the US.
A gateway for knowledge and insights
The huge potential that Asia provides for global companies requires constant updating of business strategies, risk management, leadership training and real time understanding of “what is possible”. This clearly requires corporations to have the institutional capacity to understand, learn and retain knowledge pertaining to cultural sensitivities, business practices, employees’ expectations and the local political dynamics.
A regional gateway of knowledge and insights is needed targeted at the corporate and public sector leaders, both present and future. It will in this role connect up the parties with the ideas that will make a big difference in their performance through:
• Key insights into Asia and the different societies within;
• Papers and reports on “the challenges of our times”;
• Advice on Asian markets;
• Tailored executive training; and
• Access to leading experts of the country of choice.
Conclusions
Connectivity between global leaders and civil society is missing leading to an ignorance of issues. There are few if any credible platforms from within Asia for discussion nor are there any truly representative Asian-based think tanks that can contribute to the global discourse and tap into the wealth of knowledge in the region.
A process of collating and disseminating key information regarding globalisation issues to business leaders and policy makers is proposed. To be credible this needs to originate from within Asia drawing upon the diverse sources of knowledge that exist in the region. Its dissemination needs to be achieved through the creation of appropriate channels for informing, training and teaching at a strategic level.
A think tank to act as a magnet for ideas and a gateway for knowledge is appropriate and necessary. Such a think tank must be Asian-based so that the views expressed are real and relevant and can be presented in a coherent form to the right listeners.
