1. Full name of doctoral candidate: LE THI PHUONG LOAN. 2. Gender: Female
3. Date of birth: August 18, 1984 4. Place of birth: Thanh Hoa
5. Decision on the admission of doctoral students: Decision No. 1806/2018/QD-XHNV dated June 29, 2018, of the Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi.
6. Changes to the training process (if any): extending the training period until June 29, 2022.
7. Thesis Title: Cultural and Social Cooperation between the United States and ASEAN, 2009-2020
8. Major: International Relations 9. Code: 9310601.01
10. Scientific supervisor: Prof. Dr. Hoang Khac Nam
11. Summary of the new findings of the thesis:
Research subject: Cultural and social cooperation between the United States and ASEAN during the period 2009-2020.
The overall research objective of this thesis is to clarify the current state of socio-cultural cooperation between the United States and ASEAN countries from 2009 to 2020 and the impact of this activity on ASEAN; based on this, to propose policy recommendations for Vietnam.
Research methodology: This dissertation employs interdisciplinary research methods in the social sciences and humanities, as well as specific research methods such as: international relations research methods, document research methods, systems research methods, historical methods, analytical and synthetic methods, and methods for forecasting and analyzing results through foreign policy decisions.
Key results:
- The dissertation, using international relations theories such as Liberalism, Constructivism, and international cooperation, identified and analyzed the factors influencing the US's socio-cultural cooperation with ASEAN during the period 2009-2020, including internal factors (the interests of the US and ASEAN in socio-cultural cooperation with each other) and external factors (increasing global cooperation trends; the rise of non-traditional security threats requiring enhanced socio-cultural cooperation; the increasing role of ASEAN; and challenges to the US and ASEAN in the region requiring enhanced socio-cultural cooperation).
- This thesis analyzes the objectives and content of the US policy of cultural and social cooperation in Southeast Asia.
- The thesis presents the practical implementation of cultural cooperation activities between the United States and ASEAN, including programs and initiatives in performing arts, cultural heritage preservation, film, and education and training. Cooperation activities between the United States and ASEAN in the social field include programs and initiatives such as capacity building for young leaders, promoting democratic values and human rights, humanitarian work, environmental protection, women's empowerment, and healthcare.
- The thesis analyzed and assessed the socio-cultural cooperation activities between the United States and ASEAN during the period 2009-2020 and their impact; thereby forecasting the prospects of this cooperation and proposing policy recommendations for Vietnam.
Conclude:
- The socio-cultural cooperation activities between the United States and ASEAN from 2009 to 2020 were an important component of the overall cooperation between the United States and ASEAN due to the reciprocal impacts related to economic and security-political cooperation.
- The content of cultural and social cooperation, primarily implemented through cultural diplomacy and public diplomacy, is relatively rich, covering most cultural and social issues in US-ASEAN relations, and diverse according to the needs and specific characteristics of each ASEAN member country.
However, the practical implementation of cooperation activities has not been continuous and uniform, but has been adjusted according to each presidential term. The Obama administration focused on investing in promoting soft power and smart power through bilateral and multilateral cooperation with ASEAN on cultural and social issues to give ASEAN people a more favorable and multifaceted view of the US, deepening understanding and connection between the people of both sides, and contributing to strengthening the US's influence and presence in the region in line with its soft power philosophy. Conversely, President Donald Trump cut the budget for his predecessor's initiatives to focus on developing the US economy and prioritizing jobs for American citizens with the motto "America First".
- For ASEAN, cultural and social cooperation with the US provides an opportunity for ASEAN to showcase its views and values, enhance its central role in multilateral mechanisms in the region, improve its capacity to respond to cultural and social issues, promote international integration in the region, strengthen ASEAN's comprehensive cooperation with the US, and help ASEAN balance China's cultural and social influence in the region.
New contributions of the dissertation:
It can be affirmed that this dissertation is the first monograph in Vietnam researching the socio-cultural cooperation activities of the United States with ASEAN during the period 2009-2020. Therefore, the dissertation makes new contributions in terms of science, practice, and documentation.
- Scientifically, the dissertation is a systematic study of the practical implementation of cultural and social cooperation activities between the United States and ASEAN from 2009 to 2020; it contributes to identifying factors affecting cultural and social cooperation activities between the United States and ASEAN, providing arguments for a more objective and comprehensive reassessment of this cooperation; thereby evaluating the impact of cooperation programs and initiatives and proposing policy recommendations for Vietnam.
- In practical terms, the thesis suggests several policy recommendations for Vietnam in its socio-cultural cooperation with the United States.
- In terms of documentation, the thesis has compiled and systematized materials and provided a relatively rich source of information and documents on the practical implementation of cultural and social cooperation activities between the United States and ASEAN; and will be an important reference source for those interested in this topical issue.
12. Further research directions: Cultural and social cooperation between the US and Vietnam, Cultural and social factors in promoting US soft power in Southeast Asia.
13. Publications related to the dissertation:
- Le Thi Phuong Loan, Vo Thi Giang (2020), “ASEAN-US Economic cooperation and its Impacts on Regional Security and Development”, International Journal of Social Science and Economic Research Vol. 5 (10), pp.3103-3125.
- Le Thi Phuong Loan (2020), “American soft power in Southeast Asia from 2009 – 2019”, International Conference on Prospect of structure in Asia Pacific to 2025 and Viet Nam's response, pp.226-236.
- Le Thi Phuong Loan, Luong Anh Linh (2020), “The rise of cultural diplomacy in US – ASEAN in the first decades of the 21st century”, 2020 International Graduate Research Symposium & 10th East Asia Chinese Teaching Forum (2020 IGRS & 10th AECTF) at ULIS (1), pp.636 – 644.
- Le Thi Phuong Loan, Vo Thi Giang (2021), “Cultural diplomacy in Viet Nam's Foreign Policy in the period of 2001 – 2020”, Asian Journal of Arts, Culture and Tourism Vol. 3 (1), pp. 1-13.
INFORMATION ON DOCTORAL THESIS
1. Full name: LE THI PHUONG LOAN
2. Sex: Female
3. Date of birth: August 18th 1984
4. Place of birth: Thanh Hoa
5. Admission decision number 1806/2018/QD-XHNV dated June 29, 2018 by University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University – Ha Noi
6. Changes in academic process
7. Official thesis title: American Socio-cultural Cooperation with ASEAN from 2009-2020
8. Major: International Studies
9. Code: 9310601.01
10. Supervisors: Assoc.Prof.Dr. Hoang Khac Nam
11. Summary of the new findings of the thesis
Thesis Objectives: American Socio-cultural Cooperation with ASEAN from 2009-2020.
Thesis Purpose: clarify socio-cultural cooperation activities of the US towards ASEAN countries from 2009 to 2020 and evaluate their impacts on ASEAN, thereby considering policy recommendations for Vietnam.
The research methods employed in this thesis are interdisciplinary research methods in social sciences and humanities, namely: international relations research methods, literature review, systematic research, historical study, analysis and synthesis, prediction and findings analysis based on foreign policy decision-making processes.
The major results:
- The thesis, employing international relations theories ie Liberalism, Constructivism, and international cooperation, identified and analyzed factors affecting socio-cultural cooperation policies of the US towards ASEAN from 2009 to 2020 including national interests of both sides, increasing trend of international cooperation, emerging non-traditional security threats requiring socio-cultural cooperation, growing significance of ASEAN, and regional challenges requiring the US-ASEAN social-cultural cooperation.
- The thesis analyzed objectives and content of socio-cultural cooperation policies of the US towards countries in Southeast Asia.
- The thesis analyzed socio-cultural cooperation activities towards ASEAN including initiatives and exchange programs in performing arts, cultural heritage preservation, cinemas, education, capacity building for young leaders, enhancement of democratic values and human rights, humanitarian assistance, environmental protection, women empowerment, and health care assistance.
- The thesis evaluates the effectiveness and impacts of American socio-cultural cooperation activities with ASEAN in the period 2009-2020 as a basis for predicting their prospects, and proposes policy recommendations for Vietnam accordingly.
Conclusions:
- Socio-cultural cooperation activities of the US towards ASEAN from 2009 to 2020 have always been an important component in the U.S' foreign policies because of their impacts on economic, cooperation.
- The content of socio-cultural cooperation, mainly implemented via cultural diplomacy and public diplomacy tools, is relatively diverse addressing socio-cultural challenges in the US-ASEAN relations, and customized according to specific needs and socio-cultural characteristics of ASEAN member states.
- These cooperation activities have been constant and adjusted according to presidential administrations. The Obama administration focuses mainly on activities enhancing soft power and smart power in bilateral and multilateral cooperation with ASEAN to address socio-cultural issues with an aim at promoting friendlier and multidimensional perceptions toward the US and strengthening people-to-people ties between the two sides. In this sense, the US could enhance their presence and influence in the region with a soft power approach. The Trump administration, however, under the “America first” slogan, focuses on domestic economic development and employment for American citizens at the expense of budget for international affairs.
- Socio-cultural cooperation activities with the US helped ASEAN introduce their values and opinions, promote the ASEAN Centrality in multilateral mechanisms in the region, improve their capacity in addressing socio-cultural challenges of member states, facilitate regional integration, strengthen comprehensive cooperation relations with the US, and enable ASEAN to balance against Chinese socio-cultural influence.
12. Further research directions: American socio-cultural cooperation with Vietnam; The socio-cultural elements in American growing use of soft power in Southeast Asia.
13. Thesis-related publications
- Le Thi Phuong Loan, Vo Thi Giang (2020), “ASEAN-US Economic cooperation and its Impacts on Regional Security and Development”, International Journal of Social Science and Economic Research Vol. 5 (10), pp.3103-3125.
- Le Thi Phuong Loan (2020), “American soft power in Southeast Asia from 2009 – 2019”, International Conference on Prospect of structure in Asia Pacific to 2025 and Viet Nam's response, pp.226-236.
- Le Thi Phuong Loan, Luong Anh Linh (2020), “The rise of cultural diplomacy in US – ASEAN in the first decade of the 21st century”, 2020 International Graduate Research Symposium & 10th East Asia Chinese Teaching Forum (2020 IGRS & 10th AECTF) at ULIS (1), pp.636 – 644.
- Le Thi Phuong Loan, Vo Thi Giang (2021), “Cultural diplomacy in Vietnam's Foreign Policy in the period of 2001 – 2020”, Asian Journal of Arts, Culture and Tourism Vol. 3 (1), pp. 1-13.
