Richard OUELLET, LY Van Anh, NGUYEN Ngoc Ha
& HA Cong Anh Bao

We are delighted to present the proceedings of the second edition of the Student Conference organized by the Research Chair on New Challenges of Economic Globalisation (NEME Chair). This conference, held in collaboration with the Faculty of Law at the Foreign Trade University in Hanoi (FTU), explored the theme: Rethinking Economic Borders: Is Regionalism a Promising Path to Address Global Challenges?

In an increasingly interconnected world, issues related to regionalism and economic cooperation are gaining growing importance. Global challenges such as climate change, poverty, and inequality require innovative and coordinated responses. Economic regionalism presents itself as a transformative potential, capable of addressing these issues while strengthening ties between nations.

This second edition of the Student Conference took place in two sessions: on May 15, 2024, at Université Laval in Quebec, and on May 30, 2024, at FTU in Hanoi. We had the privilege of welcoming students and speakers from diverse geographical and disciplinary backgrounds, enriching the event with a wide range of perspectives and expertise. The discussions and analyses covered topics such as regional trade agreements, emerging forms of economic regionalism, and regional trade policies, along with their socio-economic impacts.

Founded at Université Laval in 2022, the NEME Chair is committed to advancing research and the study of global economic and legal issues. Our mission is to expand the frontiers of knowledge and foster international dialogue on these critical topics. The collaboration with FTU in Hanoi (Vietnam) for this edition underscores our dedication to promoting international cooperation in research and education.

We would like to express our deep gratitude to the members of the jury who contributed to evaluating and commenting on the submitted papers. Their expertise has greatly enriched the quality of the works presented. The jury members for the session in Quebec were: Mr. Yan Cimon and Mr. Érick Duchesne, professors at Université Laval; Ms. Laurence Marquis, professor at Université de Sherbrooke; Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Ha, professor at FTU; Mr. Jocelyn Tremblay, Advisor for Institutional Affairs at the Quebec Ministry of International Relations and Francophonie (MRIF); Mr. Maxence Messier, Trade Policy Advisor at the Quebec Ministry of Economy, Innovation, and Energy (MEIE); and Mr. Charles Codère, postdoctoral researcher at the NEME Chair. For the session in Hanoi, the jury members were: Mr. Ha Cong Anh Bao, Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Ha, Ms. Nguyen Thi Quynh Yen, Ms. Hoang Ngoc Thuan, Ms. Nguyen Minh Hang, and Ms. Vu Kim Ngan, professors at FTU; Ms. Dang Thi Thuy, expert at the Vietnamese Ministry of Finance; Ms. Ly Van Anh, Deputy Director of the NEME Chair; Ms. Bui Thu Ha, Oxfam expert; Mr. Nguyen Duy Hieu, Mr. Nguyen Quang Ngoc, and Mr. Nguyen Trung Nam, lawyers.

We also extend our sincere thanks to the Faculty of Law at Université Laval and the Faculty of Law at FTU for their invaluable support in organizing this conference. Thanks to their academic and administrative infrastructures, as well as the dedication of their members, these two faculties played a crucial role in the logistics and coordination of the event. Furthermore, the financial and scientific support from the Quebec ministries (MEIE and MRIF) helped anchor the student conference in a pragmatic and forward-looking perspective, fostering a global dialogue to address the complex challenges of our time. This multidimensional support not only contributed to the event’s success but also created new opportunities for young researchers and academics from diverse backgrounds.

Through these partnerships, we were able to create a dynamic space for dialogue, encouraging knowledge exchange and the development of academic and professional networks. It is in this spirit of cooperation and mutual support that we provided participants with a formative and inspiring experience, reinforcing our commitment to academic excellence and collaborative research.

Finally, we extend our heartfelt thanks to Séréna Ortigosa Fernandez, a doctoral candidate at the NEME Chair, for her outstanding work in reviewing the chapters.

We hope that this collective volume, bringing together the contributions of participating students, will enrich reflections on economic regionalism in a world of diverse geopolitical dynamics. May this publication serve as a platform for future debates and research, inspiring new avenues to address the global challenges we face.

   

Quebec – Hanoi, 2024