http://hdl.handle.net/10125/1699 http://scholarspace.manoa.hawaii.edu/retrieve/6470 http://hdl.handle.net/10125/1699 Search the Channel search http://scholarspace.manoa.hawaii.edu/simple-search http://hdl.handle.net/10125/13491 Title: How the Asia Pacific can drive the global recovery<br/><br/>Author(s): Petri, Peter A.; Dobson, Wendy; Huang, Yiping; Soesastro, Hadi; Wihardja, Maria Monica<br/><br/>Abstract: The transition to a new, sustained global growth path is still precarious and will require concerted policy actions by many countries. Leadership by the G-20 will be essential for coordinating the global effort. But due to the central importance of the Asia Pacific in the world economy, regional institutions such as ASEAN+3, ASEAN+6, and APEC could also play large roles in the next phase of the recovery. Interdependence in the Asia Pacific region is now often seen as a source of risk, but it also connects the most powerful technological, financial, and productive resources ever assembled in history. Asia Pacific institutions should not miss the opportunity to address the present crisis. By working together, Asia Pacific governments could send a powerful signal to markets that they intend to cooperate and will hold each other accountable for keeping growth on track. This issue of the East-West Dialogue summarizes the findings of the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council's (PECC) Taskforce on the Global Economic Crisis. The full report of this taskforce will become available from PECC during the first half of 2010. Further information is available on www.pecc.org/economic-crisis/. Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10125/13482 Title: Washington Report, 2009-11<br/><br/>Author(s): U.S. Asia Pacific Council<br/><br/>Abstract: All of the major powers in Northeast Asia—China, Japan, Russia, South Korea, and the United States—are on record as saying they do not want a nuclear North Korea. ButPyongyang’s volatile behavior—represented this year by its defiant test of a long-range ballistic missile, its rejection of theSix-Party Talks and agreements reached via those negotiations, and its second test of a nuclear device—has stymied their efforts to keep a denuclearization process on track.Dr. Victor Cha, who served as U.S. deputy head of delegation to the Six-Party Talks during the Bush administration, explores North Korea’s latest diplomatic tactic, China’s unique relationship with its troublesome neighbor, and other challengesconfronting U.S. policymakers. Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10125/13481 Title: Forest communities and REDD climate initiatives<br/><br/>Author(s): Poffenberger, Mark; Smith-Hanssen, Kathryn<br/><br/>Abstract: Loss of the world's forests contributes an estimated 17 percent to all global greenhouse gas emissions, creating both a major challenge and an opportunity for international climate change agreements. In response, global policymakers have proposed that new carbon agreements include rewards for reducing forest-based emissions, an initiative known as REDD--Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation. By creating financial incentives to reduce forest-sourced greenhouse gases, REDD projects could generate funding from developed countries to reduce deforestation in developing countries. In addition, some climate change specialists believe that REDD projects could benefit forest-dependent communities, whose participation is key to controlling the local forces that drive deforestation. Some communities are already learning about the new REDD carbon projects. As one villager from Cambodia explains, "We are going to sell our air to the people who are polluting in the city." The increased attention to forests in international climate change negotiations indicates that policymakers are giving greater recognition to the importance of natural forests as terrestrial carbon sinks. While it is generally acknowledged that forests are an important source of timber, fuelwood, fodder, and other nontimber forest products, forests also provide crucial ecosystem services. These "services" are functions or benefits that are provided by the natural environment including sequestering carbon from the atmosphere, protecting upstream watersheds, and conserving biodiversity. Forests also help regulate the water cycle and climate, while supporting soil formation, nutrient recycling, and plant pollination. The failure of markets, and society in general, to accurately value these services in economic or financial terms has undermined attempts to conserve forests. The REDD climate initiatives represent an important international attempt to place a value on forests and to commoditize their services in storing and sequestering carbon. The value of forest carbon stocks will need to be based on rigorous monitoring of field inventories and remotely sensed data. It is anticipated that REDD projects will need to empirically demonstrate that deforestation and forest degradation have slowed as a direct result of project activities. The resulting change in carbon storage will need to be verifiable before it can be traded in commodity markets and other exchange platforms. Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10125/13478 Title: The Democratic Party of Japan and North Korea policy<br/><br/>Author(s): Sato, Yoichiro<br/><br/>Abstract: When President Obama met Prime Minister Hatoyama of Japan in November 2009, a variety of contentious bilateral issues were on the table. However, despite divergence between the two countries on the military base issues in Okinawa and disagreement over Japan's emphasis on building an East Asian Community, the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) government will stay closely aligned with the United States in terms of its basic North Korea policy. Yoichiro Sato discusses the new Japanese government's policy toward North Korea. Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10125/13411 Title: Repression and punishment in North Korea : survey of prison camp experiences<br/><br/>Author(s): Haggard, Stephan; Noland, Marcus<br/><br/>Abstract: The penal system has played a central role in the North Korean government's response to the country's profound economic and social changes. Two refugee surveys--one conducted in China, one in South Korea--document its changing role. The regime disproportionately targets politically suspect groups, particularly those involved in market-oriented economic activities. Levels of violence and deprivation do not appear to differ substantially between the infamous political prison camps, penitentiaries for felons, and labor camps used to incarcerate individuals for misdemeanors, including economic crimes. Substantial numbers of those incarcerated report experiencing deprivation with respect to food as well as public executions and other forms of violence. This repression appears to work; despite substantial cynicism about the North Korean system, refugees do not report signs of collective action aimed at confronting the regime. Such a system may also reflect ulterior motives. High levels of discretion with respect to arrest and sentencing and very high costs of detention, arrest and incarceration encourage bribery; the more arbitrary and painful the experience with the penal system, the easier it is for officials to extort money for avoiding it. These characteristics not only promote regime maintenance through intimidation, but may facilitate predatory corruption as well. Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10125/12873 Title: The new ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights : toothless tiger or tentative first step?<br/><br/>Author(s): Kelsall, Michelle Staggs<br/><br/>Abstract: In late 2008 the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) committed to creating a human rights body, which emerged as the Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (ICHR), the terms of reference (TOR) for which have since been adopted. Although the TOR for the commission currently outlines a primarily advisory rather than an enforcement role, the very existence of the ICHR has the potential to act as a trigger to further discussion on human rights issues in member states and open avenues for further action. To take maximum advantage of this opportunity to further the human rights agenda in ASEAN member states, it is essential that critical early decisions are made carefully so as to leave the most latitude for future action. While some observers are concerned that the ICHR lacks teeth, the fact that all ten ASEAN governments have agreed to implement a human rights commission is remarkable and is an essential first step toward ASEAN's stated goal of respecting and protecting human rights. Tue, 01 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10125/12872 Title: Repression and punishment in North Korea : survey evidence of prison camp experiences<br/><br/>Author(s): Haggard, Stephan; Noland, Marcus<br/><br/>Abstract: The penal system has played a central role in the North Korean government's response to the country's profound economic and social changes. Two refugee surveys--one conducted in China, one in South Korea--document its changing role. The regime disproportionately targets politically suspect groups, particularly those involved in market-oriented economic activities. Levels of violence and deprivation do not appear to differ substantially between the infamous political prison camps, penitentiaries for felons, and labor camps used to incarcerate individuals for misdemeanors, including economic crimes. Substantial numbers of those incarcerated report experiencing deprivation with respect to food as well as public executions and other forms of violence. This repression appears to work; despite substantial cynicism about the North Korean system, refugees do not report signs of collective action aimed at confronting the regime. Such a system may also reflect ulterior motives. High levels of discretion with respect to arrest and sentencing and very high costs of detention, arrest and incarceration encourage bribery; the more arbitrary and painful the experience with the penal system, the easier it is for officials to extort money for avoiding it. These characteristics not only promote regime maintenance through intimidation, but may facilitate predatory corruption as well. Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10125/12780 Title: East-West Center Observer, Volume 13, no.3 (Summer 2009)<br/><br/>Editor(s): Yim, Sue Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10125/12779 Title: East-West Center Observer, Volume 13, no.2 (Spring 2009)<br/><br/>Editor(s): Yim, Sue Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10125/12533 Title: Washington Report, 2008-06<br/><br/>Author(s): U.S. Asia Pacific Council<br/><br/>Abstract: President Bush was upbeat about the outcome of the Summit on Financial Markets and the World Economy, which he convened November 15 in Washington, but careful not to oversell it as the solution to the world's problems. He described the summit as "an important first step" toward reforming financial markets and shoring up the global economy. Seasoned policymakers foresaw this outcome given the enormity of the crisis and the brief run-up to such an important meeting. Prof. Anne Krueger of the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies spoke with the U.S. Asia Pacific Council several weeks before the summit. She reflects on the U.S. government's initial response to the financial crisis, what one might expect from the summit, and the impact of the crisis on U.S.-Asia economic relations. Sat, 01 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT