The discussion on the emerging powers of Asia is well established. However, there have been few Asia Pacific platforms where academics can present their research into how the concept of the coming century being one which pivots around Asia impacts on Asia Pacific – EU relations. A growing emphasis on Asia as an economic and political powerhouse also has implications for how the EU deals with other regions and how other regions in turn align or realign their foreign policies.

In this issue we feature 6 current papers on the theme of social capital: