MANAGING THE DIFFERENCES

Towards an Appropriate European Education specialised in Business with Asia

Asia is a crucial partner for the EU, whether economically, politically or culturally. The wider Asian and Asia-Pacific region (including South Asia, South-East Asia, North-East Asia and Australasia) accounts for 56% of the world’s population, 25% of world GNP, and 22% of the world’s international trade. The region has been the cradle of several of the world’s major religions, and has an unparalleled cultural richness.

The EU’s economic and commercial relations with Asia are of great importance for our own prosperity. Asia as a whole accounts for 21% of the EU’s external exports, and is our third-largest regional trading partner, after Europe outside the EU (31%) and NAFTA (28%). Asia also accounts for a significant share of EU foreign investment flows, while certain Asian countries are important investors in the EU. Within the WTO, Asian countries play a very important role, and China’s entry into the WTO will help strengthen that body further.

(The EU’s relations with Asia )

With the continuous and rapid growth of economic development in Asia, there is a growing need in Europe for business professionals ready to work in or with Asia. Meanwhile, there are considerable differences between the two continents, either in the field of politics, economy, or culture. Managing these differences is a condition of success for European companies to set up and develop their business in or with Asia.

For that respect, Europe need to prepare future “appropriate” professionals specialised in business in or with Asia. The term “appropriate” is stressed here for three main reasons. Firstly, it refers to the capacity to manage the political, economical and cultural differences between Asia and Europe. Secondly, it represents European soul, spirit, identity related to the long tradition of humanism and humanities. Thirdly, it integrates the principle of sustainable development as a business norm. Consequently, business does not deal only with profit making, but also with respect to human dignity and environment.

To prepare future “appropriate” professionals willing to work in or with Asia, that must be the mission of European education specialised in business with Asia.

How is it possible?

This paper tries to answer this question.

Darwis Khudori

Senior Lecturer, ILCO (Institut des Langues et Civilisations Orientales), University of Le Havre, France

Member, GRIC (Groupe de Recherche Identité et Culture), University of Le Havre, France

Director, Master’s Degree in International Affairs specialised in Trade with Asia, University of Le Havre, France