Summary

Asia is the home of 65% population of the world. The continent posed a whole cultural image of the globe seldom. But bilateral relations among the Asian nations are not oriented to the regional development.

At the eve of globalization, track of world business has already changed. Globalization is the process of iconizing America all over the world through world Trade Organization(WTO). The approach of WTO has narrowed the rights of the countries to implement cultural own policy measures and programs that promote domestic level artists and cultural producers. A very shallow cultural exchange programmes among the Asian countries but existing no significant marketing policy and systems for cultural and intellectual productions. Asian countries have to established a partnership and reorganized kinship among the Asian nations which give the people opportunity to experience, exchange, appreciate and supports each other's cultural development and achievements.

Shaping the Future of Asian Culture

Prof. Sultan Muhammad Razzak,Ph.D

Distinguished participants, It is my pleasure to express my thanks and gratitude on behalf of the cultural activists of Bangladesh to the Organizing Committee for the Thrid Meeting, the Presidential Commitee for Culture Cities, and City of Gwanju for their time bound initiative arranging this very special session "Asian Cultural Vision" . Culturally, the globe-especially Asia is now facing a great crisis and believing the session today- a milestone for the future.

Asia is the home of 65% population of the world. Here in, more than 1,000 ethnic groups live in its vast area with lands over 44 million sq km. The Asia as a distinguished land is the melting pot of diversified human cultures in history. The continent posed a whole cultural image of the globe seldom. The glorious past and present of the continent is weaving wisdom based rich culture, history, development, education and science step by step. Asia is the birthplace of the civilization of the world.

Now at the eve of 21 century, we the world people have already entered in the Digital Era crossed behind the Modern age. Now every day we are being introduced with new technologies and the explosion of technologies is reshaping the world culture. Individuals are being connected with different nationals breaking the geographical barrier through Internet. Consequence of that Cross-border cultural exchange increases diversity within societies; new hybrid cultures are emerging in the region. Though national identity is not disappearing, but the bonds of nationality are loosening.

The track of world business has already changed. Terminology of this business policy is globalization. Asia is the main target of globalization because of its huge market with 65% consumers of the world. Moreover, thousand year's people's wisdom, cultural practices, natural/herbal and intellectual resources of this continent are most valuable and saleable commodities of the future.

In consideration of blooming technology, the globalization could be accepted ethically. In that case, the ethics and beauty of globalization should be freeing people from the tyranny of geographical limitations and equal distribution of the world resources for the present and future citizen of the globe. But the present process of globalization is not taking place in that way. Now the Globalization is the process of iconizing America all over the world through world Trade Organization (WTO). WTO is now involving to impose of Americanized uniformity, rather than an equal distribution of resources. Cultural and intellectual production and marketing of the regions are not out of these aggressive policies of WTO.

The approach of WTO has narrowed the rights of the countries to implement own cultural policy measures and programs that promote domestic level artists and cultural producers. U.S. negotiators are capturing the cultural future of the nations through agreements, by introducing clauses that prohibit or limit the cultural liberty.

We everybody know that Hollywood dominates the global movie market. Around 75% movie business carried out by the Hollywood. It seems however, Hollywood is not 100% American organization. Many actors and directors are often from outside even there is a number of foreign-owned studios. But most of the productions from Hollywood are in English. Thus, English as the language being promoted throughout the world through movie, through Internet, education and other materials. Besides, thousands of U.S. volunteers are working now at the community level of third world countries for teaching English language. According to the different scholar, by year 2050 English would be a common language for half of the population of the world. This is a paradox that common language is good for communication for sectoral business development at present time but in long run this practice fragment the national culture creating a hybrid culture and promoting all consumable English goods, gesture and posture to the new generation. Consequently, the English Language is occupying the future of Asian Culture. I do believe, this is a silent process of cultural genocide that has started long before. The cultural actions those are life forces of ethnicity are dying day by day. After collapsing down from desired result of World Trade Organization ministerial meeting in Cancún, Mexico, the U.S. is now moving aggressively for bilateral trade with different countries.

The Asia has been changing for three decades. But impacts of these changes are not remarkable. Still Asia considered economically poor continent. It is to be mentioned here again that, Asia is the biggest continent as a market for any production. Asia could be a rich continent if there is a long term common policy and strategy for the Asian Countries along with political commitment. I am sorry to say here, Asian countries bilateral relations among the region are not oriented to the regional development. There is very shallow cultural exchange programme among the Asian countries but no significant marketing policy and systems for cultural and educational commodities. Most of the countries are suffering from individualism without looking forward to a long-term benefit for Asia region. It is matter of sorrow, some countries attitude to develop cultural imperialism, they do not think about other country's benefit. I would like to mention here about the satellite TV broadcast in-between Bangladesh and India. Bangladeshi satellite TV channels are closed for Indian audience. In the import and export sectors around 160 domestic cultural productions enlisted for export from Bangladesh to India. But India has imposed so high taxes for those commodities to export the items. As far as I know, Nepal, Bhutan and other neighbor countries to India are suffering in same way. In the film sector India is playing a role like Hollywood in the region. Such monopoly attitude is very unjust as well as big barrier for regional development.

Considering the above situation and for the shake of Asian cultural protection, rights and sustainable benefit, a common platform for the Asian Countries is essential. A few countries of the Asia region may have cultural policy but now it is need to look into the policies deeply and critically for developing long-term methods of cultural exchange as well as business policy of cultural production within the region and beyond. A long term regional strategic planning on the issue needs today to address for stepping forward. Otherwise, the national of this region will not be able to regulate the inflow of foreign movies, television programs, books and music into Asian marketplace. And consequence of that Asian cultural Industries and artists would be condemned and marginalized in their own land.

At the eve of proposing any action for the cultural development and exchange for the Asia region, we have to keep in mind present global situation and find out possible emerging situation critically. We have to consider importance of Cross-understanding, Culture vs. Globalization, How to promote culture for self-awareness and Overcoming Culture Shock. According to that, Asian countries have to established a partnership among the Asian nations which give the people opportunity to experience, exchange, appreciate and supports each other's cultural development, mutual benefit and achievements. Steps for shaping out of the future are proposed follows:

· An assessment of cultural policies of Asian countries

-Country-wise situation analyses

-Finding out conflicting areas and conflict of interest

-Finding out cultural resources

-Market analyses

· Development of Asian cultural charter for shaping the future

On the basis of assessment, a charter would be formulated in participation and the Governments of the Asian countries would be agreed upon the charter.

· Development of a long term Asian cultural strategic planing

In the strategic planing time bound actions, responsibilities of the Governments as well as non Government organization and methods of implementation

· Establishment of Asian cultural exchange and commerce alliance (ACECA)

I would like to propose to constitute a regular functional group or committee that could implement the above tasks step by step.

Today in this international meeting cultural leaders from different parts of the world we discussed from multi-angle of the issue, we expect cultural exchange and cooperation between Asian nations as well as other countries of the world for a meaningful globalization. The future of our culture is depending in our hands. The indispensable responsibility of the time is to create future shape of our culture for our future generation.

At the end I would like to mention about the "Nobel Idea" of Cultural Project of Gwangju City that is initiated by Presidential Committee for Culture Cities, and City of Gwangju to promote cultural diversity and cultural exchange in Asia and around world. I have been encouraged seeing their prudential and enthusiasm. It is really the paradigm of future of the global culture and humanity. I believe strongly that the world would follow these very instances. How could I involve in this great initiative, I would be honored to be imparted with you.