Woman scholars from Southeast Asia to discuss female rights ahead of ASEAN summit

SEOUL, May 26 (Yonhap) -- Dozens of female scholars from Southeast Asian
countries will gather in Seoul this week, ahead of the summit between South
Korean President Lee Myung-bak and regional leaders, to discuss women's rights
and network, organizers of the event said Tuesday.

Scholars from countries including South Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia and the
Philippines will share views on women's issues at a forum Thursday sponsored by
the Korean Women's Development Institute, and seek ways of expanding network
between Korea and ASEAN nations. The forum will be held at the institute in
northwest Seoul.
South Korea is set to host a series of summits and ministerial meetings among
leaders of ASEAN, or the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, on the country's
resort island of Jeju on June 1-2. Marking the 20th anniversary of South Korea
becoming ASEAN's dialogue partner, the upcoming summit is also aimed at
strengthening the country's relations with the regional bloc under what it calls
a "New Asia Initiative."
Prof. Carolyn Sobritchea from University of the Philippines will give a keynote
speech at the women's forum. Kim Kyung-hee, head of Korea's Gender Impact
Assessment Center, and Kristi Poerwandari of the University of Indonesia will
lead the following session.
hayney@yna.co.kr
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