When asked whether Phnom Penh is an international city, some people may contemplate for a second and reply “No, not yet.”
I would pursue, then, what about the city’s garment industry? With more than 90 percent of its garment sector investments coming from Hong Kong, Taiwan, Mainland China, Malaysia, Singapore, etc., and with around the same percentage of the sector’s exports to advance market economies, can the city be put into the ranks of international cities simply by its trade profile?
Furthermore, there is a vibrant mix of ethnicities in the city. Even among those locals who speak fluent Khmer (the local language), many would tell of their mixed heritage: Cambodian, Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai, etc. In just any part of the city, it takes no effort to spot some barang people – a Khmer word which translates as French but, in the contemporary sense, refers to anyone with white skin and non-black hair – and those barang Asians, like myself, who can be mistaken as Cambodians returning from abroad. Would this multicultural environment qualify Phnom Penh as an international city?
The international community is very active here as well. There is a plethora of NGOs and more than 20 United Nations organizations in Cambodia, working on improving the livelihoods of poor people. Strolling along the riverside in the evenings, music blasts from gigantic hi-fis, neon light signs from bar and clubs attack your eyes and men and women alike dress up for parties just like in any western cities. This sight seems to show that more Cambodians can afford to spend time and money on leisure. Could growing wealth and “westernized” lifestyles be indicators of an international city?
Contrary to lukewarm responses about Phnom Penh, when asked whether New York City is an international city, most people would say “yes, of course!” before giving the idea any thought.
This quick reaction stems from knowledge about New York’s standing in international finance and commerce. It has one of the most active trading boards for stocks, bonds, currencies, etc. Hosting some of the best dance companies and artists, it is also hailed as a cultural capital. As I recall from the popular reality show, America’s Next Top Model, New York appears to have a unique standing in the fashion industry too, with designers for Fifth Avenue brands and aspiring street smarts. The city is also a centre of global politics; top diplomats convene at the United Nations Headquarters every year to debate on important global issues. Surely, New York City’s global status is beyond dispute.
The process in which a city (like Phnom Penh) transforms into one with international caliber (like New York) is perhaps called “internationalization.” It is an abstract but familiar term for anyone who studies in the U.S. Campuses now talk about the international dimensions of their students, faculty members and curriculum. In fact, I recall that my alma mater, Grinnell College, set up an Internationalization Committee to encourage students to study subjects with international and comparative contents, to deepen understanding on international affairs and to promote interactions between international and domestic students. I also enjoyed learning about international issues, but at the end of the day, when I put on my pragmatic hat, I ask – how can international knowledge really be utilized in the real-life context?
Recently, I attended a scholarship interview, seeking funding for my studies in Public Policy and Development Studies. I was confronted with the question: How can international experiences be localized and then help to make cities/countries more internationalized?
I only coughed out a brief answer during that 15-minute interview. But actually, this question touches on a few others: How can you define “internationalism”? How can cities or countries be qualified as “internationalized”? What are the processes of “internationalization”? What characterizes the “localization” of international experiences and knowledge?
After giving these questions some thought, I would like to propose my definition of an internationalized city. It also reflects aspirations for my own home city and for my personal development.
There are at least two dimensions of an international city. The first concerns its economic structure and activity: such a city should have industries benchmarked against world-class standards.
Note the plural in “industries.” An international city should have multiple competencies, with diversified economic activities.
To truly deserve the title of an international city, in Hong Kong, its reputation should not merely be built on an active trading board or stock exchange, but also arises from its strengths in other industries. For instance, the city may emerge as a hub for scientific innovation through syndicating the necessary capital, putting in place the appropriate infrastructure for research and development and attracting world-class talents. The city can also aim at developing into an education hub, breeding a culture of critical inquiry, introducing broader curriculums, fostering transnational linkages, building world-class institutions and bringing in an international body of students and faculty members. Universities may as well find their “niche” in the academia, including focusing on the creative and critical studies of contemporary China and the rest of Asia. With the right incentives, there is also potential for creating an open platform for their arts and creative businesses, such as social enterprises. The bottom line is, the city should retain its own character and not blindly emulate the successes of cities elsewhere.
I also see some potential for Phnom Penh to become international. I once read about the city’s global fame in film-making in the 1950s and 60s. At last year’s Mekong Arts Festival, I also saw breath-taking traditional dances and vocal performances. Can the Cambodians revive their own culture, enhance cultural preservation and event management techniques and push their city to the global stage?
The second dimension of an international city is its people – the global citizens. In this globalizing and knowledge-based world, people and ideas are the key to success. In my opinion, the global citizens who can accelerate the “internationalization” process are those who can think broadly about their personal interests and look broadly at their careers. They not only think about a long-term career or a life-long job in one fixed location, but confidently use their own broad competencies and consider opportunities across professions and in different locations. As a result, while international cities open doors for diversified economic activities, people also need to think about having a diverse career. Some people can be based in the city but pursuing careers with global footprints. Others can be based elsewhere but still retain significant linkage with their homeland. They may jump from career to career, ascending a steep learning curve at each job and getting excited about learning new subjects. With international exposure, these global citizens can readily absorb new lessons and “localize” their knowledge in their home country as well as in the next location or assignment.
Global citizens also think broadly about the global supply chain. Growing up in a vibrant commercial city, I notice that most people tend to set their eyes on linking up with wealthy consumers and big markets. But what about the other end of the global supply chain? In the past few years, I have seen with my own eyes, poor people trudging in fields and migrant workers relying on meagre wages from factory work. An international city can also help to link these two ends of the global supply chain, raising awareness about development issues, contributing financially and technically on improving livelihoods and in turn, enhancing our own quality of life.
To kick off this process of internationalization, on the one hand, we can first investigate the economic potential of various industries and the policies, human resources and capital needed to reach world-class standards. On the other hand, internationalization is about educating people to think globally, creating opportunities to work and study in multicultural environments, and most importantly, introducing a culture of inquiry, personal reflection and imagination. There are many starting points and many things to be done. Where shall we start?
