THINK ASIA is a
novel idea to some. But for many it is something that is assumed to exist
without any need to make others aware of it. Academics are the chief culprits.
They refuse to see anything useful in belabouring the fact. It is already there.
Why do we have to publicise it. Not quite.
Consider the needs of countries in Asia now that are undergoing various stages of
transformation. For them there is certainly a lack of role-models to follow. Do
we follow the flying geese model? , Or the bottom of the pyramid model? Or do
we cite specific country case-studies. In any case Asia can boast of many such
cases, from Japan to South Korea and Taiwan. Then there are the smaller
cousins like Malaysia and Singapore. Each
of these countries is unique in their very experience of transformation and
mobility. These cannot be copied in its entirety of course but still aspects of
their success-stories can be emulated.
The point was made that there is
nothing new that we can fashion out anymore in the quest for knowledge. What
remains is to ensure that the digital divide for instance in most countries in Asia is not widened. Given the technology that is
advancing forward day by day even this will probably render itself obsolete in
years to come. The new technology will replace the present impasse in the
generation of ideas for a new Asian spirit and the next round of intellectual
enterprise. It is in the hands of Asians to take the lead. By all accounts the
so-called decline of the West is set to continue on its rightful path in every
dimension of human progress. The centre of gravity has indeed shifted to Asia
in countries like India and China and the
mini-economies of the ASEAN countries for example. What will be the impact of
this development on THINK ASIA?
Taking
a futurist perspective on developments in Asia within the next decade or so, the trends seen in population growth, internet
use, nuclear proliferation, medical and healthcare boom, corporate ownership
and human capital needs, will necessitate a gravitational push towards THINK
ASIA.
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