Introduction
We are pleased to announce that the Asian Law Institute (ASLI) and University of Philippines, College of Law (UP) will hold the 14th ASLI Conference in Manila, Philippines on 18 and 19 May 2017. We look forward to welcoming you, and value your contribution to the ongoing success of this annual conference.
The 14th ASLI Conference 2016
Dear Colleagues,
It is my pleasure to post this Call for Papers for the 14th ASLI (Asian Law Institute) Conference, hosted by the College of Law of the University of the Philippines and to be held at Novotel Manila, Araneta Center, Quezon City, Philippines from 18 to 19 May 2017.
The 14th ASLI Conference will bring together academics and professionals from Asia and the world, to exchange knowledge related to the theme “A Uniting Force? – ‘Asian Values’ and the Law.”
The passing of Singaporean leader Lee Kuan Yew, not so long ago, has inevitably rekindled in many minds his enduring contribution to political thought: the concept of “Asian values.” According to him, Asian nations have a distinct social and political ethics that places greater value on the collective and on social order, compared to other value systems that prioritize individual liberties. While easily brushed away by critics as a mere attempt to justify authoritarianism, Lee Kuan Yew’s idea has sparked considerable attention, especially among those who see it as a possible point of unification for Asian countries. Singapore’s success as a viable State presents a strong case for its neighbors. Are there Asian values and are they a uniting force?
This conference will be held for the first time in the Philippines and will be hosted by the University of the Philippines College of Law. I encourage academics and professionals to contribute to the discussion by looking at the law — where the presence of such an ethical system might be confirmed. As an exercise in comparative law, the Conference will look at the legal and institutional arrangements or systems of key Asian countries to see if patterns of similarity exist. More importantly, if similarity does exist, we will inquire into whether such institutions are indeed manifestations of a distinct cultural tendency, independent of the personal motives of the leaders who may have fostered them. We hope the answers may yield valuable contributions to public policy and legal theory.
Thank you and we hope to receive the abstracts of your proposed paper by 1 December 2016.
Yours sincerely,
Danilo L. Concepcion
Dean
University of Philippines
College of Law
Associate Professor Gary F Bell
Director
Asian Law Institute
Faculty of Law, National University of Singapore
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