Yearlong Theme

Trans forming into a Modern ASEAN Economy

In 2015, the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will establish the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) by integrating the economies of its member countries. With this initiative, the member countries of the ASEAN hope to achieve: (a) a single market and production base, (b) a highly competitive economic region, (c) a region of equitable economic development, and (d) a region fully integrated into the global economy (ASEAN, 2008). With the deadline of the integration fast approaching, one of its hindrances is the development gap between the ASEAN-6 and CLMV1 countries. The development gap exists due to differences in income per capita, human resources, and institutional capacity of member states which are driven by various factors such as labor mobility, trade openness, governance, human capital, and physical capital (McGillivray, 2013)2. The presence of such gap could prevent nations on both sides of the gap from fully and equitably reaping the benefits of the integration, and in turn hinder the entire ASEAN from reaching its full development potential.

Technology holds a crucial role in narrowing the gap between the Southeast Asian nations, particularly in how its advancement generates boundless opportunities for the region in terms of foreign direct investment, human capital, and physical capital. Endogenous growth theories have proven that technology is essential to long-term economic growth. The growth of output per worker is determined by the rate of technological progress (Solow & Swan, 1956). Rising productivity is the key to making a possible increase in the standard of living and long-term economic growth (Goman, n.d.). This allows access to physical infrastructure which improves access to markets and basic services, and further increases growth and employment opportunities (McGillivray, 2013). Therefore, to achieve modernity, the focus should be shifted toward technology, as it does not only boost the areas that the IAI work plan3 focuses on, but also addresses the new areas such as Human Resources Development (HRD), poverty, and quality of life.

In light of all this, the current challenge for the government is to provide constitutional or structural reforms that will allow the smooth synchronization and modernization of each region in order to achieve equitable economic development. Competition policies, sustainable energy, health, and Information & Communications Technology (ICT) are some of the areas that the local and national government could explore. By narrowing the development gap, Southeast Asian nations can find a modern economy within reach as they reap the full benefits of integration. Hence, this year’s YEC convention series aims to hone the youth as future policy makers through an in-depth understanding and active participation in assessing the current technological progress of the region, providing policies, and giving light to the opportunities associated to the modernization of the Southeast Asian Nation.

______________________ 1 CLMV. Pertains to Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Viet Nam.

2 According to a presentation by Deakin University’s Professor Mark McGillivray in the Narrowing the ASEAN Development Gap: Drivers and Policy Options. This was presented on the ASEAN-Australia Development Cooperation Program Phase II.

3 The Initiative for ASEAN integration (IAI) was launched by ASEAN head of states in 2000 with the objectives of accelerating the economic integration of the CLMV

2 countries and Narrowing the

Development Gap (NDG). The IAI’s work plan have 4 major areas - Infrastructure, Human Resources Development (HRD), Regional economic Integration, and Information and Communications Technology (ICT).

OUTSTANDING RESEARCH PAPER COMPETITION- INTERNATIONAL ROUND

The Young Economists’ Convention – Outstanding Research Paper Competition is a competition that allows budding young economists to share their insights and be recognized for excellent research. It is organized with the main thrusts of initiating critical thinking among young economists and improving student research for policy development in the interest of nation building. This can be achieved by recognizing exemplary student research, providing growth mechanisms that allow researchers to improve their work, and establishing channels through which such work is translated into informed action. O bject ives :

1. To raise awareness on relevant economic issues and initiate critical thinking by inviting students to research and share insights on the convention theme.

2. To improve economic research for policy development by providing growth mechanisms such as technical seminars for young researchers to improve their work.

3. To contribute to society and allow research to be turned into informed action by distributing exemplary student research and by inspiring young economists to grow holistically as members of society.

Q ual i ty and El igibi l i ty: Groups of one (1) to four (4) students are eligible to join the competition, provided that members that comprise the group meet the following requirements:

a. They must be students of a college or university in the region, enrolled or previously enrolled (the

term/semester before) under an undergraduate Economics or other business-related program; b. They must have taken at least six (6) units of economics subjects; and c. They must possess good moral character.

d. Entries may be term papers, working papers, theses, or dissertations that are at most 18 months old*. *Entries that are more than 18 months may be accepted depending on the quality, importance, timeliness, and relevance of the topic.

Screening and Select ion Process : Entries submited for the research paper competition must be aligned to the yearlong main theme of Transforming into a Modern ASEAN Economy . Regional Conventions

All aspiring groups shall enter the competition through the regional convention held in their respective regions: Luzon, Visayas, NCR, and the ASEAN. Submissions must be made before the deadline set by each convention organizing committee. Upon screening by the committee, they will be invited to present their work during the regional convention. A regional winner will be selected to represent the region in the Main Convention to be held at the end of the academic year. Before the event, the winning group from each region may attend technical seminars held by the Economics Organization in De La Salle University to improve their work before the national round. 8th International Conference The 8th International Conference, held at the end of the academic year, shall hold the national round of the Outstanding Research Paper Competition. The national winner shall be selected out of the regional winners

who shall present their work at the 8th International Conference held in De La Salle University – Manila. Young Economists’ Journal (YEJ) The research papers of the regional winners are given a chance to be published in an issue of the YEJ subject to a screening process by the YEJ organizing committee. The national winner will be published in an

issue of the YEJ along with selected submitted works from outstanding students in De La Salle University – Manila.

Appl icat ion Requi rements : The application and requirements for entering the regional rounds are as follows:

1. Abstract of the research paper; 2. Research paper, including references in APA format; 3. The full text or executive summary of the research paper with the following requirements:

a. Introduction b. Review of Related Literature

c. Theoretical / Conceptual Framework d. Methodology e. Results and discussions f. Conclusion g. Policy recommendations and implications

The research paper may have been used in course requirements subject to their respective institution’s policies. However, it must be the original work of all members of the group. Plagiarized works will be rejected immediately. Concept papers without results can be submitted; however, they must be completed upon presentation date.

4. Letter of endorsement from a professor, department chair, dean, or president of the institution represented by the group, attesting to their enrolment in Economics or business-related degree program.

5. Participation and presentation in the regional convention for the region in which the group’s college or university is located.

C ri teria for Judging:

Judges shall be research experts with no shared institutional affiliation with any contestants, and the criteria shall be as follows:

CR I T E R I A

Grad e Wei g h t

Qu al i t y o f R esearch Ou tp u t 30%

Is it relevant to current issues surrounding the convention theme? 5

Does it take from previous research and clearly outline agenda for future research? 5

Does it present relevant, useful, and practical implications and information? 5

Does the paper analyze rather than merely describe? 5

Co n si sten cy o f R esearch Ob j ect i ve wi th t h e Framewo rk an d Meth o d o lo g y 25%

Do the researchers present a clear and rational framework? 5

Does such a framework explain the phenomena or pursue the research objectives? 5

Does the method appropriately and accurately test the framework? 5

Qu al i t y o f Wri t i n g 20%

Are the sources used well and cited properly? 5

Does the paper make statements grounded on facts as opposed to personal opinion? 5

Does the paper possess coherence and adherence to grammatical rules? 5

Is the significance of the paper clearly outlined in the paper? 5

Overal l Assessmen t an d Org an i zat i o n 15%

Do the researchers present their objectives, arguments, framework, methodology, and results in a clear and logical manner? 5

Is the reader able to follow the thought process and see how the researchers arrived at their conclusions from the evidence?

5

Qu est i o n & An swer ( t o b e d o n e d u r i n g Co n ven t i o n )* 10%

Were the question(s) answered completely and comprehensively? 5

Are the members of the group familiar and have relative mastery of their paper and subject matter?

5

*Only applicable to selected and presenting papers; shall be done after each presentation at the regional convention, during the Open Forum session.

G rants :

Winners of the regional and national rounds shall receive the following awards in recognition of their exemplary work:

Regional Winners

• Certificates of Recognition

• Medals and/or a Trophy

• P5,000 Cash Grant* for the group

• Invitation to the Main Convention to compete in the national round

• Possible publication in the Young Economists’ Journal

National Winner

• Certificates of Recognition

• Medals and/or a Trophy

• Additional P5,000 Cash Grant* for the group

• Publication in the Young Economists’ Journal

• Possible Endorsement** for further publication in the AKI Policy Briefs circulated to various government agencies

*Cash grants are not given immediately during the event, but are given on the date of the Main Convention upon presentation in the national round. In the event that the group is unable to attend the national round, it will be wired to them on the Main Convention date. This is to facilitate the documentation and justification process required in the disbursement of funds from the YEC’s accounts. The Main Convention grant is given within 2 weeks after Main Convention date. Information on bank accounts and other personal information may be required to facilitate the transfer. It is also contingent on providing a final draft for publication in the Young Economists’ Journal.

**Endorsement to the DLSU Angelo King Institute for publication in the AKI Policy Briefs, which are circulated to various government agencies in the country, is done by the Commission. This shall be subject to the results of the Angelo King Institute’s own screening process. A policy brief is a 1700 word summary of the paper focusing on the policy implications of the paper and is required for consideration, in addition to the abstract and full paper.

Information and O ther C oncerns :

Information on convention dates, winners, technical seminars, as well as other concerns are regularly posted on the YEC website, www.theyoungeconomists.org, and through other social media accounts such as

the official Facebook page, www.facebook.com/theYECdlsu, and the twitter account,

www.twitter.com/theYECdlsu. Concerns may be forwarded to the YEC’s e-mail address at

youngeconomistsconvention@gmail.com.

Important Dates to Remember:

January 15, 2015- February 22, 2015 Submission period

February 23, 2015- March 5, 2015 Judging period

March 06 & 07, 2015 8th International Conference