Dialogue with the Author of “The World Is Flat”

Thomas Friedman is a well-known American journalist and commentator on the issues of international trade, the Middle East, globalization and environmental issues. He is responsible for a foreign policy column of the New York Times. He is also the author of a series of international bestselling books including “The World is Flat”.

During his time in Vietnam, Mr. Thomas Friedman has worked with a number of departments in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on mutual concerns. He also worked with a number of ministries and branches; met the national press, had a talk with students in prominent universities in Hanoi, such as Vietnam National University, Ha Noi; Foreign Trade University, Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam as well as Viettel Corporation.

During the visit, journalist Thomas Friedman also attended a talk held by the Institute for Foreign Policy and Strategic Studies (IFPSS) and Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the Government Guest House on May 5^th 2014. The talk brought together representatives from departments in and outside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, researchers, journalists and business leaders.

At the talk, journalist Thomas Friedman and the delegates focused on addressing such topics as: (i) new developments of green technologies, bioenergy; (ii) the set of political forces, the world economy up to 2030 and impacts on nations and regions; (iii) lessons of success and failure of countries over the past 20 years; and (iv) opportunities and challenges for Vietnam in the new era.