Demographic changes accompanied by globalization and, in the case of Asia, the recent economic crisis are forcing both, Asian and European governments, to review their traditional social policies (including social insurance/welfare policy, pension policy, medical and public health policy including measures to counter drug abuse and alleviate poverty , labor-management relations, etc.). CAEC experts on social policy will discuss possible ways to modify traditional social policies, thereby dealing with the current changes in modern societies.

2. Problems Related to Migration

The continual inflow of migrants, either legal or illegal, means a major challenge to the recipient countries' political governance, i.e. its social integrity, its economic well-being and equity, as well as its political coherence. Regardless of the question as to whether migration occurs between Asian and European countries or within respective regions, the existence of migrants delicately affects the relationship between the origin and destination countries. Since CAEC perceives the migrants’ issue as a central problem for the relations within and between the regions in the near future, this CAEC workshop will search for political solutions for dealing with migrants' movements.

3. Peace Building Process

Quite aside from the pros and cons of humanitarian intervention - but nevertheless deeply-related to its effects - the issue of how to build and maintain peace after the great turmoil of war, currently poses a major challenge to politicians on both continents. The importance of the topic makes it worthwhile to review various methods of peace keeping and peace building, and to evaluate which approach might be suitable for the situation in contemporary Asia and Europe.

In spring 2002, a CAEC plenary conference will be held in Europe. Findings of the above working groups as well as policy recommendations to ASEM-IV will then be discussed.