East-West Center

The East-West Center (EWC), headquartered in Honolulu, Hawaii, is an education and research organization established by the U.S. Congress in 1960 to strengthen relations and understanding among the peoples and nations of Asia, the Pacific and the United States.

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EWC program areas include Education, Research, Seminars, a Washington D.C. office (which also houses and administers the United States Asia Pacific Council), an Office of External Affairs and the East-West Center Foundation.

Research Program

The Research Program conducts studies on economic development, trade, energy, governance, politics, security, conflict reduction, population, health, and environment. Under the Research umbrella is the Pacific Islands Development Program (the research and training arm and regional secretariat of the Pacific Islands Conference of Leaders representing 22 Pacific island nations).

Education Program

The Education Program offers educational opportunities for students and professional development seminars and workshops for educators from the U.S. and the region. The Student Program is carried out in partnership with the University of Hawaii and other universities in Hawaii and the continental U.S. Scholarships are awarded annually in an international competition. Also under the Education Program are the Asia Pacific Leadership Program (APLP) (a certificate program for graduate-level students and mid-level professionals) [http://www.eastwestcenter.org/aplp/] , AsiaPacificEd and the Asian Studies Development Program (both work with primary, secondary, and college educators to infuse Asian Pacific content in curricula), and Education 2020 (a focus on new approaches to educational challenges in the Asia Pacific Region). Most of education program participants reside in EWC dormitories like Hale Manoa Dormitory.

East-West Seminars

East-West Seminars bring professionals from government, civil society, business and the media together for short-term dialogue and exchange programs to share knowledge and address issues of regional and global concern. Included in the Seminars Program are the Media Program (provides journalist with first-hand examination of issues in the region and the U.S.), Senior Policy Seminar (brings together top level foreign affairs and security officials, private sector and civil society leaders to discuss key regional issues), and the Asia Pacific Executive Forum (brings to American cities discussions on topics that affect the economics and business of the region).

Office of External Affairs

The Office of External Affairs (OEA) connects the resources and research of the EWC with the local, national, and international community through educational outreach, public programs, briefings, and media relations. Within the OEA is the News and Information office (provides EWC research findings, opinion pieces, and analysis of issues to journalists and the public), the Arts Program (presents performances and exhibitions illuminating the cultural values and art forms of national and ethnic traditions in the region), and the Alumni Office (works with an international network of professionals from more than 50 countries who have had a past affiliation with the EWC).

East-West Center Foundation

The East-West Center Foundation expands and enhances support for the EWC (private resources support student scholarships, research, and seminar initiatives not covered by core Congressional funding).

Funding

Approximately half of Center funding comes from the U.S. government, with additional support provided by private agencies, individuals, foundations, corporations, and the governments of the region. In 2005 the EWC received a total of $37 million (including $19.2 million from the U.S. Congress).

Impact

The impact of the EWC is far reaching. More than 50,000 people have participated in EWC programs since 1960, including many who currently hold positions of leadership throughout the U.S. and the Asia Pacific region. Alumni include heads of government, cabinet members, university and NGO presidents, corporate and media leaders, educators and individuals prominent in the arts.

United States Senator Barack Obama's mother Ann Dunham first met both Barack's father Barack Obama Sr. and her second husband Lolo Soetoro at the Center. [ [http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/20/magazine/20wwln-Q4-t.html Questions for Maya Soetoro-Ng All in the Family - New York Times - January 20, 2008] ]

References

External links

* [http://www.eastwestcenter.org/ East-West Center]
* [http://washington.eastwestcenter.org/ East-West Center Washington, DC]
* [http://manoa.hawaii.edu/ University of Hawai'i at Manoa]