A reflexive Asian identity? Remapping Asianess through the dialogue with Europe.

Abstract

The Asia-Pacific region recently has been eager to emerge in the process of regionalism and community building. Yet, with the economic integration processes and the political will to create “One Vision, One Identity, One Community”, there is still insufficient understanding of cultures that encompass the region. This paper examines common activities and joint projects of cultural and intellectual exchanges that are facilitated by the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF). The organization implements the vision of dialogue between the two regions as launched by intergovernmental forum of 27 EU member states and 16 Asian countries – Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM). The author argues that the interaction between Asia-Pacific and Europe not only smoothes the rapprochement of civilizations, but also brings Asians closer to each other, and serves as a platform for them to enhance and celebrate awareness of their own region’s diversity. In this East-West interface, the Asians embark on a journey of re-discovering their own region’s heritage, look for commonalities, and define their regional cultural identity. The inter-regional cultural dialogue serves also mapping purpose for defining what is contemporarily understood by the “Asian heritage”, what shapes “cultural borders” of Asia, and whether there exists an “Asian identity”.