CALL FOR PAPERS

The Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS)

The Vietnamese Professionals of America, Inc. (VPA)

L'Association des Techniciens Vietnamiens d'Outre-Mer
Present

Vietnam in 2001: Prospects for Economic and Social Progress

November 16 - 17, 2000

Program Announcement

While the process of Vietnamese renovation, doi moi, has yielded some positive results since its inception in 1986, Vietnam's economic growth has slowed appreciably in recent years. Many key reforms have been sidetracked while social problems have multiplied, and there is a broadly perceived uncertainty about Vietnam's future.

The purpose of this conference is to provide a forum for an objective discussion of Vietnam's present problems and possible future courses of economic and social development. The conference will focus on the challenges now facing Vietnam's primary constituencies such as the rural sector, state-owned enterprises, the military, and the urban elites including a small but growing entrepreneurial class with a view toward promoting the achievement of an equitable, prosperous society for the Vietnamese people.

The conference will take place during a potentially significant moment. Preparations are already underway for the Ninth Congress of the Vietnamese Communist Party early in 2001. The United States-Vietnam Bilateral Trade Agreement, signed on July 13, 2000, will soon be under consideration by the legislative branches of both countries. If ratified, the Agreement should lead to important positive changes in economic and commercial relations between the United States and Vietnam. President Clinton's November trip to Vietnam further highlights the bilateral relationship.

We hope to conduct this conference in a scholarly, open-minded fashion, with a view toward promoting the achievement of an equitable, prosperous society for the Vietnamese people. The conference will be divided into half-day sessions addressing four broad areas. Several papers will be presented in each session with open discussion and questions from the floor to follow.

Conference Schedule
Thursday, November 16, 2000

Welcome by the Dean of SAIS, Paul Wolfowitz

Welcome by Conference Program Chairman, Professor Robert Scalapino, Robson Research Professor Emeritus of Government, University of California

Remarks by Frederick Z. Brown, SAIS, Southeast Asia Studies and Truong Van Thuan, VPA

Speakers' biographies
PANEL I: Current State of the Vietnamese Economy. Moderated by Mr. Truong Van Thuan, VPA

Prof. Adam Fforde, National University of Singapore, "Vietnam and the Outlook for Long-Term Economic Expansion"

Prof. Lam Thanh Liem, Universite de Paris, "La Nouvelle Gestion des Terres au Vietnam"

Mr. Nguyen Quoc Khai, VPA,"FDI and Economic Development: Lessons from Vietnam"

Prof. Carlyle Thayer, Asia-Pacific Security Center, "Reform Immobilization and Prospects for Doi Moi"

Panel I Discussions

Luncheon Speaker: "First Thing First: Reform Priorities for Vietnam" Prof. James Riedel, SAIS

PANEL II: Alternative Frameworks for Sustainable and Broad-Based Development. Moderated by Prof. Roger Leeds, SAIS

Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Bich, Radio Free Asia, "Transparency and Decision-Making: the Role of the Media"

Ms. Jackie Bong Wright, National Foundation for Vietnamese-American Voters, Inc., "Gender and Development in Vietnam in the 21^st Century"

Prof. Peter Timmer, University of California San Diego, "Agriculture, Economic Growth, and Poverty Alleviation in Vietnam"

Prof. Edgardo Buscaglia, University of Virginia, "Intellectual Property Rights in Developing Countries"

Panel II Discussions
Friday, November 17, 2000

PANEL III: Vietnam's Relations with China, U.S., ASEAN. Moderated by Prof. Frederick Z. Brown, SAIS

Prof. Brantly Womack, University of Virginia, "China and Vietnam"

Mr. Neil Silver, Director, Office of Burma, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam Affairs, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Department of State, "U.S. - Vietnam Relations: The Fruits of Engagement"

Mr. Dan Price, Partner - Powell, Goldstein & Frazier, "The Vietnam - U.S. Bilateral Trade Agreement"

Prof. Carlyle Thayer, Asia Pacific Security Center, "Vietnam and ASEAN"

Panel III Discussions

Luncheon Speaker: "The State, Property Rights and the Question of Prosperity in Communist Vietnam". Mr. Truong Van Thuan, VPA

PANEL IV: Prospects for Renovation: What Is To Be Done? Moderated by Prof. Robert Scalapino, University of California

Prof. Douglas Pike, Vietnam Center, Texas Tech, "Leadership: Key to Improving Vietnam's Economy"

Prof. Zachary Abuza, Simmons College, "Loyal Opposition within the VCP"

Discussant: Prof. William Turley, Southern Illinois University

Panel IV Discussions
Conference Concludes