Emerging Civil Society in the Asia Pacific Community

Though the notion of an OAsia Pacific CommunityO emerged more than a decade ago, media attention has focused on the regionOs dynamic economic development. Little is known abou tht ehuman dimension of this regional integration, and the actual sense of community that is being constructed by countries as vastly differend as China and Australa, Canada and Vietnam, Thailand and Japan. In fact, the ongoing process of integration has been underpinned by collaborative efforts of academic institutions, businesses, and other nongovernmental organizations. The devloping Ocivil societyO in the Asia Pacific community reflects the growing recognition of the importance of non-economic factors amid rising economic interdependence, as well as the marked advancement of democratization, plurizatoin, and collaboration beyond national boundaries. Such cooperation has been enhanced by the rising prominence of global issues such as the environment, rural poverty, AIDS and drug addiction. This compilation of reports by leading intellectuals and specialists from 15 Asia Pacific countries describes the activities of the regionOs research institutions, philanthropic foundations, and other organizations. It also assesses the present state of regional interactions between private institutions and individuals."