Cambridge supporting Korean Peacebuilding Initiative
A meeting held recently at Lucy Cavendish College provided support, encouragement and renewed impetus to an inspirational project which has been established and active for some time through the work of Dr Michael Schluter CBE and the Swiss not-for-profit organisation he leads, Relational Peacebuilding Initiatives (RPI). Dr Schluter has a unique track record of contributing to peace and reconciliation in earlier times in South Africa, Rwanda and Sudan. For some time now work has been going on to build trust between the two Koreas; the focus is on areas of mutual interest such as trade and dialogue, and the possibilities of joint technology initiatives, in sectors such as agriculture, minerals, and machinery as well as the wider economy. The aim is to identify common purpose leading to understanding and improvement in relationships on a wider basis.
The group attending at Lucy Cavendish College included academic leaders from Cambridge with interests in economics, innovation and sciences, as well as a representative from NIAB (National Institute of Agricultural Botany) and others who work together on European programmes focussed on innovation districts and sustainability programmes. Mr Seung Shin Lee, Minister of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea, and a senior researcher from the Embassy, Mr Ui Jin Lee, were welcomed as honoured guests. The meeting was co-hosted by Professor Alan Barrell, a professor of entrepreneurship at Cambridge Learning Gateway.
The subject of the discussion was “Use of Relational Goals and Processes to achieve better outcomes in innovation / technology transfer and international peacebuilding”. Alan Barrell’s special interest for some time has been understanding the importance of connectedness and connectivity, and the “joined-up” nature of the ecosystem, not only in Cambridge but other innovation districts exhibiting similar success. Others have emphasised the crucial importance of relational factors not only in success in translation of research and knowledge into products and businesses in centres such as Cambridge, but also have reported how such attention to relational developments leads to greater success in cross-border technology and knowledge transfer.
Professor Barrell suggested that the Cambridge strengths, experience, and specific knowledge of technology and innovation in subject areas such as agriculture and agritech might be of special value in supporting the development of a Korean Peninsula Agriculture Community (KPAC), which had been outlined by Dr Schluter, to increase agricultural productivity in both Koreas through a bilateral trade and technology agreement between them.
Cambridge experience and resources might be brought to bear in such a scenario if the technical strengths resident in the university and NIAB could be brought together in support. This involves new company formation and turning technology into processes and products of agricultural value to both Koreas. From a base of technological collaboration and development might spring more readily growing potential for bilateral trade which, once begun could be supported by the international community, including the US and China.
Dr Schluter pointed to past experiences in other locations challenged by serious divisions and conflict. He quoted the precedent of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) which led to the EEC and eventually the EU. He also offered thoughts on the possibility of transforming the Kaesong Industrial Complex (KIC) into a science park or innovation centre complex, with both North and South Korea together being key stakeholders. Such a development might be supported by a joint North and South Korean Academy, drawing in addition on Cambridge expertise and experience, and having initial focus on new technology for the farming sector.
Mr Seung Shin Lee and his colleague from the Embassy made comments and observations which helped the understanding of all those present about the extreme sensitivities involved. The present geopolitical tensions involving China and the US were discussed, those present believing that only with the constructive engagement of both the US and China will a lasting peace be possible on the Korean Peninsula.
All present wished to remain involved through further discussion. It was suggested that the ideas relating to development of the proposed Korean Peninsula Agriculture Community (KPAC) could be joined up with fresh thinking about Cambridge innovation and technology support to encourage a science park development with focus on agricultural technology. Plans are already under way to turn the key ideas into more concrete concepts and concrete reality. These proposals together may increase the likelihood that the issues relating to incremental sanctions exemptions in parallel with steps towards denuclearisation can be resolved successfully.
Dr Schluter has previously written “Our hope is that new ideas and initiatives will help to bring to an end the distrust and misunderstanding which has existed for so many years in the Korean Peninsula. We believe the vision of peace, stability and human flourishing is the desire of all nations; we are seeking to play some small part in bringing this vision to reality in the Peninsula.”
My hope and belief is that if the proposals discussed in this meeting can be brought into being, a significant step will have been taken to increase prospects for world peace.
Dr Alan Barrell is Chairman of Cambridge Worldwide Associates and Professor of Practice at Hong Kong Management Association, Honorary Doctor of Business Administration Anglia Ruskin University Cambridge, International Fellow University of Essex Business School, Formerly Entrepreneur in Residence Judge Business School Cambridge, Visiting Professor Liaoning University Shenyang and at Shanghai Art and Design Academy.