Closed societies and anti-globalization tendencies: effects on human rights
Globalization conjures up a number of buzzwords like unrestricted flow of goods, services and investments resulting in an increase of the gross domestic product. Others see more negative effects like inhuman working conditions in the context of globalization and worldwide financial speculation. On the positive side, we find the spread of the Internet and other communication tools leading to a worldwide rise in interpersonal communication.
But a handful of countries try to seal off their citizens from these global tendencies. In Asia for instance, one automatically thinks of countries like Burma and North Korea, which try to prevent the spread of globalization from reaching their citizens. Is it realistic to try to keep entire countries outside the stream of globalization? What are these governments afraid of and what are they trying to hide? Is there a link between anti-globalization tendencies and the breach of human rights?
Among other experts a young broadcaster from Seoul/Korea will talk about his daily radio program that serves as a "human bridge" and brings greetings from family members to their relatives in North Korea as well as news that is unavailable in the country of origin.
Moderation
Grahame Lucas
Head of South Asia Service, Deutsche Welle, Germany
Panelists:
Johannes Gerschewski
Researcher at the Social Science Research Center Berlin, Germany
Tae Keung Ha
President, Open (Radio for) North Korea, Republic of Korea
Karin Janz
Rural development consultant, Germany
Maja Liebing
Head Asia Desk, Amnesty International Germany, Germany