A new millennium has begun with much hope and expectation. Nevertheless, the world is still in a dismal state. The eager anticipation for a bright future remains just an illusion, while the previous century's numerous national conflicts in politics, economy, and culture are continuing at this uncertain and insecure period. The 20th century, which witnessed the destructive power of the human race through two World Wars and experienced the trials and errors of ideology through the collapse of the Soviet Union, was also the century in which material civilization spread globally with increasing economic power. The 21st century, then, is the century of accelerated globalization that requires the pursuit of a new spirit and idea substitutive for modern Western ideology. Today, we intellectuals in Northeast Asia have gathered in Incheon, a storied city in the modern history of Northeast Asia, to adopt “Incheon Declaration 2001”. We think it will be a significant moment remembered with posterity. Last century's Incheon had been the arena of competition over which Western world powers had struggled for their own interests because of its geopolitical importance. Incheon had been a city where the modern history of hardship had been written. However, Incheon was also a place where modernization had begun, and now is making great strides to open the city toward the world through the opening of Incheon International Airport. We know that the history of the past could be an engine of historical development as a future-oriented value when it becomes a lesson of the present day. Thus, we are very glad to declare that Northeast Asia Intellectuals' Solidarity will wipe out last century's discord, and commence with a new century of regional cooperation and peaceful coexistence in the historical city of Incheon, the city of vicissitudes. We might not be much different in our cautious presupposition that the 21st century will be the century of Northeast Asia. This is based on the understanding that world powers will strive to take leadership over here in order to initiate and control changes for the new millennium. Northeast Asia will be ‘the eye of a typhoon’ that decides the course of world history. As is generally known, Northeast Asian countries have achieved high levels of economic growth and national prosperity in the latter half of the 20th century, and thus, their regional economies are being watched with keen interest as a central axis of world economy. The Korean peninsula, however, still suffers from the division between North and South, even though the Cold War seems to have been terminated by the breakdown of the Soviet Union in the last century. The possibility of conflict in economic, political and military concerns within and without the region will not be excluded unless the remnants of the Cold War completely disappear in Northeast Asia. In addition, regional integration movements are not being observed in Northeast Asia, while regional economic blocs, such as the EU and NAFTA, have been actively formed in Europe and North America. The role of intellectuals concerned with the future of their nation has always been significant, especially in times of national crisis, for they could have directed the right way with intelligence and conscience. The duty of 21st century intellectuals is to equip themselves with specialty, creativity, diversity and openness, and then to pursue new thinking horizon for the welfare of their nation and world peace. Furthermore they should propose constructive criticism and alternatives with responsibility for their nation as well as neighboring countries, pursuing simultaneously incessant reforms through participation and solidarity. The recent development of tense Northeast Asian situations and international interests awakens the significance of regional intellectuals’ solidarity, plus the need to suggest a vision for regional cooperation and common prosperity. The role of the Northeast Asian intellectuals in their own countries is especially crucial in that they should bridge the functional gap of the state (government), the market (enterprise), and the civil society of which foundation is feeble. Moreover, they should be capable of having serious discussion over the pursuit of “the Northeast Asian Community”. It is time for them to awake from their long sleep and go for the discovery and construction of new Northeast Asia, the future foundation of coexistence and common prosperity. We intellectuals in Northeast Asia have failed to perform our duty to nation, society and history, while the effects of the Cold War are fixed, and its society has been highly complicated and specialized. We also acknowledge that we have neglected investigating a comprehensive alternative paradigm that combines theory and practice, one specialized field with another. Hence, confronted with the 21st century, the era of Northeast Asia, the intellectuals with sound common sense and open mind congregate to promote “Northeast Asia Intellectuals’ Solidarity (NAIS)”. Established on the increased cooperation and understanding among Northeast Asian nations, it will be the central network among regional civilian intellectuals seeking to construct “the Northeast Asian Community”. Thus, we hereby cordially urge the vigorous participation of many intellectuals and declare as follows: The Practical Declaration 1. We proclaim that regional cooperation and common prosperity of Northeast Asian countries will contribute both to regional and world peace. 2. We congregate for the construction of “the Northeast Asian Community” in various fields such as politics, economy, society, culture and science & technology. We intend it to be an open system that encourages the participation of non-regional nations. 3. We endeavor to elevate the stability and development of individual nation into regional cooperation and prosperity. 4. We pursue a new mental and intellectual vision for the construction of “the Northeast Asian Community” and propose policy alternatives. 5. We investigate methods to establish regional identity and enhance exchange and cooperation with other regions.