Organization: Center for Cultural & Technical Interchange Btwn East & West
Mission: Promote better relations and understanding between the United States and the nations of Asia and the Pacific through cooperative study, training, and research.
Activities: Since 1960, the East-West Center (Center) has a long and proud legacy promoting better relations and understanding among the people and nations of the United States, Asia, and the Pacific through cooperative study, research, and dialogue. The Center serves as a resource for information and analysis on critical issues of common concern, bringing people together to exchange views, build expertise, and develop policy options. As a national, public diplomacy institution, the Center works in partnership with more than 1,000 organizations throughout the United States (U.S.) and in the region. The collaborative research, education, seminars and outreach, and other programs bring together Americans and counterparts from Asia and the Pacific to work in an atmosphere of academic freedom on issues of mutual importance. The Center's exchange and dialogue programs involve multi country, region wide activities involving everyone as full participants. The Center canceled or postponed all in-person events in March 2020 due to COVID-19 and pivoted to webinars and on-line conferences. There were 2,749 participants on award taking part in the Center activities throughout the region. While more information on the Center and its programs may be found at our website (www.EastWestCenter.org), the following is a highlight of the program activities during the year. RESEARCH PROGRAM: The Research Program brings a cross-disciplinary approach to understanding the process of rapid transformation that is occurring in Asia and the Pacific. The Center's collaborative research and capacity-building program aims to promote sustainability, prosperity, equity, and peace in the region. Current research documents how economic, environmental, social, and political change are shaping Asia and the Pacific. Research focuses on changes in climate, land and water use, health, family dynamics, economic roles, and international politics. The Program works with research and policy communities in the US and the Indo-Pacific region to provide more complete knowledge and deeper understanding of environments, societies, economies, governments, and international relations in the region. Capacity building and research to support decision-making are conducted in close collaboration with networks of individuals and institutions throughout Asia and the Pacific and is shared broadly with planners, policymakers, regional specialists, the media, and the general public. During the year, the Program had 210 participants in 5 conferences and workshops including the EWC-KIHASA conference, EWC-KDI Conference, and the 13th Global Meeting of the NTA Network.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM: The Professional Development Program conducts all of the Center's short to medium term capacity-building, leadership training, professional exchanges, career development, and high-level dialogue activities. The Center has continuously worked to develop and implement dynamic, cutting-edge programs that not only provide our diverse participants with life-long experiential learning and networking opportunities, but also amplify the Center's goal of improving understanding and relations among the United States and countries of the Asia Pacific region. There were 691 participants in the various Professional Development Program. During the year the Seminar and Journalism conducted 15 reporting and study tours, exchanges, workshops, dialogues and conferences. The Leadership Program held 15 workshops, seminars, conferences, and programs.
EDUCATION PROGRAM: The Center is at the forefront of educating people of the Asia Pacific region to meet the evolving demands of global change. The Education Program focuses on community building at the campus level as a stepping-stone to community building at the regional level. The participant's experience is one of grassroots relationship building, cultural exchange, shared experiences, and communal preparation for future leadership roles throughout the region. The Program offers educational opportunities for future leaders in the Asia Pacific region and the U.S. in an era of increased social, economic and technological interdependence. Graduate degree scholarships and certificate programs prepare students and professionals to address the challenges and complexities of the world's most dynamic region. Undergraduate degree scholarships build and strengthen the base of future leaders in the South Pacific. The degree student programs remain central to the Center's mission. The Center's unique environment builds students' capacity to be agents of positive change in their communities, establishes positive relationships between Asia Pacific and the US, and encourages American values such as service, critical thinking and democratic institutions. In FY 2020, there were 462 professional associates, graduate degree students and affiliated scholars living in residence or on scholarship. The Education Program strived to keep students safe and supported during the COVID-19 pandemic and were able to continue their graduate student engagement and exchange at a time when many other international exchange activities were halted.
NTEE category: International, Foreign Affairs & National Security
Secondary category: Social Science