Release Date:	8/31/2005

September 2005:

September 4 – 6:
11th International Pacific Basin Consortium (PBC) Conference: "Threats to Human Health and Sustainability in the Pacific Basin: Environmental Pollutants and Climate Change"

September 4 – 18
15th New Generation Seminar

September 6 – 7
Workshop on Climate Variability and Change in American Samoa: Challenges
and Opportunities

September 6 – 21
Hong Kong Journalism Fellowships

September 8
The Pacific Islands Integrated Ocean Observing System PacIOOS: Exploring Needs and Opportunities in American Samoa

September 8
Brown Bag Discussion: “Clinging to the Presidency -- Can Arroyo Hold On?” with Belinda Aquino

October 2005

October 2 – 22
Jefferson Fellowships

October 19 – 22
Building The Foundation Program: Leadership Seminar for Pacific Island National Planning Officials

October 24 – 28
Pacific Regional Strategic Planning Workshop for Disaster Managers and National Planners "Disaster Risk Reduction and Disaster Management: An Investment for Sustainable Development"

October 25, 2005
U.S. Asia Pacific Council Washington Conference 2005
Ronald Reagan International Conference Center

In the Arts . . .
August 28 – October 14: Exhibition: Japanese Temple Architecture in Hawai‘i
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11th International Pacific Basin Consortium (PBC) Conference: "Threats to Human Health and Sustainability in the Pacific Basin: Environmental Pollutants and Climate Change"
East-West Center
September 4 - 6, 2005

The eleventh in a series of meetings organized by the Pacific Basin Consortium, the conference is an international research and policy meeting with the primary objectives of: (1) presenting research related to characterization of environmental pollutants, human exposure to pollutants, the health effects of exposure and the latest advances in hazardous waste remediation; (2) increasing interdisciplinary cooperation in addressing regional health/environment issues, and (3) discussing strategies for reducing risks to human and environmental health in the region. The conference will also address issues of hazardous waste management practices that protect human and environmental health in the Pacific Basin, and the impact of such global environmental issues as climate change, air pollution and health of the oceans.

For additional information see the conference web page or download the conference announcement. EWC contact: Jill Holdren (808) 944-7444, email: pbc@EastWestCenter.org

15th New Generation Seminar
Honolulu/Bangkok/Hong Kong
September 4 - 18, 2005

Each year the Center invites rising young leaders from the United States and the Asia Pacific region to participate in a two-week educational and dialogue program. The program is developed around a thematic focus and provides participants with an opportunity to strengthen their understanding of regional developments and challenges, increase their contacts with counterparts in the region, and become more effective international leaders. The program opens with a one-week seminar in Honolulu followed by a one-week study tour. This year's program theme is "Health Issues in the Asia Pacific Region." More information>>>

EWC contact: Ann Hartman (808) 944-7384
email: seminars@EastWestCenter.org

Workshop on Climate Variability and Change in American Samoa: Challenges and Opportunities
Pago Pago, American Samoa
September 6 - 7, 2005

The East-West Center, the American Samoa Ocean Resource Management Council, the Governor’s Coral Reef Advisory Group, the Department of Commerce/American Samoa Coastal Management Program and the National Weather Service Office-Pago Pago will host a two-day workshop for representatives of the American Samoa government, businesses, academic institutions, non-governmental organizations and communities who will discuss year-to-year climate variability associated with El Niño and long-term climate change for the communities, natural resources and businesses of American Samoa. Through lectures, panel presentations and facilitated discussions, participants will explore a variety of topics including:

• The nature and impacts of climate variability and change for American Samoa including current patterns of rainfall, temperature and tropical cyclones and how those patterns might be altered by climate change;
• Improving understanding of American Samoa’s vulnerability to climate variability and change in key sectors including: water resources and power utilities; disaster management; fisheries; coastal resource management, including coral reefs; agriculture and tourism;
• Exploring opportunities to enhance American Samoa’s resilience in the face of climate variability and change; and
• Identification of critical information needs and priorities including the role of marine protected areas, education and requirements for enhanced climate and ocean observations.
• Discuss priority needs and explore opportunities to address the Governor’s Coral Reef Advisory Group Local Action Strategy on Climate Change.
  
  This workshop is part of an East-West Center project entitled “Addressing The Challenges and Opportunities of Climate Change for Pacific Islands” funded by the Coastal Services Center of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration with additional direct and in-kind support provided by the East-West Center, the Department of Commerce/American Samoa Coastal Management Program and the Governor’s Coral Reef Advisory Group.

EWC contact: Eileen Shea (808) 944-7253
email: SheaE@EastWestCenter.org

Hong Kong Journalism Fellowships
East-West Center and Beijing, X'ian, and Shanghai, China
September 6 - 21, 2005

To expand public understanding in the United States about the diversity and complexity of commercial, cultural and political issues in Hong Kong and mainland China, the East-West Center in Honolulu and the Better Hong Kong Foundation co-sponsor the Hong Kong Journalism Fellowships, a short-term professional program for senior print and broadcast journalists from U.S. news media organizations.

Nine United States' journalists will participate. The program includes a two-day China seminar to be held at the East-West Center and an eleven-day study tour to Beijing, Xi'an, and Shanghai, with the program concluding in Hong Kong. Fellows will engage in group meetings with business executives, scholars, journalists, political leaders and government officials.

Special Guest:
Trudy Rubin, columnist of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia, PA

EWC contact: Marilyn Li (808) 944-7258
email: lim@eastwestcenter.org .

The Pacific Islands Integrated Ocean Observing System PacIOOS: Exploring Needs and Opportunities in American Samoa
Pago Pago, American Samoa
September 8, 2005

The symposium will focus on American Samoa’s participation in the evolution of a Pacific Islands Integrated Ocean Observing System (PacIOOS). PacIOOS is one of eleven regional coastal observing systems being developed to facilitate the use of ocean observations to support ecosystem and natural resource management, transportation, economic development, hazards risk management and public health and safety. The interagency U.S. IOOS Program represents a U.S. national contribution to the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) and the Global Earth Observing System of Systems (GEOSS).

During this initial meeting, participants will be provided with an opportunity to:

• hear presentations on the national and international context for PacIOOS;
• explore initial information needs and priorities for an American Samoa contribution to PacIOOS;
• and discuss American Samoa’s role in the implementation of a regional IOOS program for American Flag and U.S.-Affiliated Pacific Island jurisdictions.

The symposium is being organized by the East-West Center as part of a project entitled “Developing a Pacific Regional Integrated Ocean Observing System (PacIOOS): Building a Partnership for the Future” funded by the NOAA Coastal Services Center.

EWC contact: Eileen Shea (808) 944-7253
email: SheaE@EastWestCenter.org

Brown Bag Discussion:
“Clinging to the Presidency -- Can Arroyo Hold On?”
with Belinda Aquino
Director of the Center for Philippine Studies
University of Hawai‘i

September 8, 2005
Noon - 1:30 p.m.
East West Center
Burns Hall Schramm Room 4005 (4th floor)

Light refreshments
Free for members; $4 non-members
$3 Parking

Please RSVP by September 6, 2005. To RSVP or for more information contact PAAC at 944-7784 or at paac@paachawaii.org.

Aquino is the author of The Politics of Plunder: The Philippines Under Marcos and numerous publications on contemporary Philippine society and politics.

This July political turmoil in the Philippines followed allegations of corruption and cheating in the 2004 elections against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Demands for her resignation and impeachment proceedings in the Philippine Congress emerged while supporters proposed a constitutional change to replace the current presidential system to a parliamentary one. Rather than impeachment, this option would cut short Arroyo’s legal term, which expires in 2010.

Sponsored by Pacific and Asian Affairs Council, East-West Center, Friends of the East-West Center and the University of Hawai‘i Center for Philippine Studies.

 

Jefferson Fellowships
October 2 - 22, 2005

The Jefferson Fellowships, founded by the East-West Center in 1967, promotes better public understanding of the United States and Asia and Pacific through a program of dialogue, study and travel for mid- and senior-level print and broadcast journalists.

The program begins at the East-West Center with a week of lectures and discussions on key regional issues led by East-West Center, University of Hawai‘i and other experts from the Honolulu community. The Fall Fellows then undertake field study travel together to Asia and /or the United States mainland to further their understanding of the issues.

Nearly 400 print and broadcast journalists from 27 countries and territories in the region have participated in the Jefferson Fellowships program since its beginning. The Fellowships are the only short-term program in the United States for print and broadcast journalists focusing exclusively on Asia Pacific.

The Jefferson Fellowships are supported by a grant from The Freeman Foundation.

Bulls, Bears and Tigers:
Rising China and the Implications for Regional Economies
October 2-22, 2005

In 2004 China maintained economic growth of over 9 percent, fueled mainly by a booming export sector. What internal challenges are created in China by this tremendous expansion in economic production and consumption? How do other countries in the region, in particular longstanding economic superpowers such as the United States and Japan, respond to the challenges and opportunities China's growth presents?

In presentations to one another and in sessions at the East-West Center in Honolulu, Fellows will explore how their countries are dealing with China as a rising economic power, as well as other new economic developments such as the end of the multi-fiber agreement and the rise in service sector outsourcing from the U.S. In Honolulu and in visits to Tokyo, Shanghai and Chongqing, Fellows will gain a deeper understanding of the general health of the U.S., Japanese and Chinese economies, the shifting dynamics of these three regional economic powers, and the regional implications of the emerging competition for strategic resources.

EWC contact: Ann Hartman (808) 944-7384
email: seminars@EastWestCenter.org

Building The Foundation Program: Leadership Seminar for Pacific Island National Planning Officials
October 19 – 22, 2005
East-West Center

This seminar is the fourth in a series of programs organized by the Seminars Program in collaboration with the Pacific Disaster Center and the South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission to address disaster risk reduction strategies for building more resilient communities in the Pacific Islands region. The seminar is designed to assist key managers in the islands in building effective management regimes by providing them with enhanced leadership capabilities, a broader awareness and knowledge of emerging issues and best practices in the region, and strategies and tools that they can employ to build more sustainable communities and strengthen economic development efforts. Eleven national planners from the following islands will participate in the seminar: Cook Islands, Fiji, Marshall Islands, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.

EWC contact: Meril Dobrin Fujiki (808) 944-7352
email: fujikim@eastwestcenter.org

Pacific Regional Strategic Planning Workshop for Disaster Managers and National Planners "Disaster Risk Reduction and Disaster Management: An Investment for Sustainable Development"
October 24 - 28, 2005
East-West Center

This workshop is the first in a series of regional, sub-regional, and national workshops to take place over the next two years to assist the Pacific Island countries throughout the region in implementing the regional and national goals contained in the Pacific Island Framework for Action 2005 - 2015. The Framework mission is to build capacity of the Pacific Island nations and communities by accelerating the implementation of disaster risk reduction and disaster management policies, planning and programs to address current and emerging challenges through: (a) development and strengthening of disaster risk reduction and disaster management, including preparedness, response, relief and recovery systems; (b) integration of disaster risk reduction and disaster management into national sustainable development planning and decision-making processes at all levels; and (c) strengthening effective partnerships between all stakeholders in disaster risk reduction and disaster management.

The workshop will be conducted in collaboration with the Pacific Disaster Center and the South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission. Directors of National Disaster Management Offices and National Planners from eleven islands will participate in the workshop: Cook Islands, Fiji, Marshall Islands, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. Other participants in the workshop will include several representatives from the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, SOPAC High Level Advocacy Team, and the Director and Special Advisor of SOPAC's Community Risk Programme; the Manager of the TAF/OFDA Pacific Disaster Training Program (U.S. AID/Asia Foundation), and representatives of the Australian Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management and Emergency Management Australia.

EWC contact: Meril Dobrin Fujiki (808) 944-7352
email: fujikim@eastwestcenter.org

U.S. Asia Pacific Council Washington Conference 2005
Ronald Reagan International Conference Center
October 25, 2005

This annual conference organized by the U.S. Asia Pacific Council (USAPC) attracts a large audience from the Washington area foreign policy community to address issues and trends in the U.S.-Asia Pacific relationship. Featured speakers include prominent experts and officials from Asia and the United States. Sponsored by East-West Center and USAPC.

USAPC contact: Liz Dorn (202) 293 3995
email: dorne@eastwestcenter.org

In the Arts . . .

Exhibition: Japanese Temple Architecture in Hawai‘i
August 28 - October 14, 2005
East-West Center Gallery

The transformation of Japanese Buddhist temple design in Hawai‘i parallels the social transformations in the Japanese-American community. This exhibition illustrates the history of the Japanese community in Hawai‘i and its Buddhist temples, from the late 19th century to present day.

The biggest wave of immigration to Hawai‘i came from Japan in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. A strong religious base of Buddhism accompanied this immigration, and with it, the establishment of 185 temples and 300 temple structures. The design and construction of these important buildings did not simply mimic temples in Japan, but were adapted to Hawai‘i’s climate, cultures and customs. As the Japanese-American society grew and developed, five distinct architectural styles emerged: 1) Plantation House, 2) Japanese Design, 3) Hawai‘i Eclectic, 4) East/West, and 5) Contemporary. Today, the fate of many temples is uncertain, due to an aging population and the effects of assimilation.

This extraordinary exhibit is composed of historical photographs, drawings, and archival documents that are available to the public for the first time. The exhibition also includes present-day photographs of temples and congregation members by renowned photographer Paul Chesley, a detailed building model, temple objects and implements, building tools, and congregation memorabilia.

Guest Curator:
Lorraine Minatoishi Palumbo, Ph.D, A.I.A.

Contemporary temple photographs:
Paul Chesley, National Geographic Society

Support for this exhibition and related activities was provided by the Hawai`i Pacific Rim Society, Group 70 Foundation, WCIT Architecture, Inc., Nippon Golden Network, Friends of Hawai`i Charities, Architectural Scale Models, Inc., contributors to the EWC Foundation, and a gift to the National Trust for Historic Preservation from Historic Hawai`i Foundation.

For information on group tours, please contact Pattie Dunn, arts outreach assistant,
(808) 944-7584 or email: dunnp@EastWestCenter.org

Related public events

Symposium: “The Endangered Buddhist Temples of Hawai‘i: How Can I Help?”
Sunday, September 11, 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Featuring keynote speaker Anthea Hartig, Ph.D, director of the Western Office, National Historic Trust; and a panel discussion led by David Cheever, interim executive director of Historic Hawai‘i Foundation.

Performance: Bon Dance at EWC
EWC Friendship Circle
Sunday, September 25, 2005, 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Bon Dance with music and dance by the Fukushima Bon Dance Club at the EWC Friendship Circle (between Burns Hall and Hale Manoa). All are invited to join in this traditional community dance; no experience necessary.

Upcoming performance:
UHM-Outreach College and the East-West Center present
Black Grace
Dance Company from New Zealand
Leeward Community College Theatre
Saturday, October 22, 7:30 p.m.
Primarily Pacific Islander and Maori, this company is renowned for its unique ability to combine traditional and contemporary dance forms.
$25 general, $20 seniors/students/military
Tickets available after Oct. 3 from www.etickethawaii.com, or charge-by-phone 944-2697

LOOKING AHEAD . . .
2005

November 16-18: EWC/EWCA South Asia Regional Conference
New Delhi, India
EWC contact: Dan Berman
email: EWC_bermand@fulbright-india.org

Be sure to join your friends and professional colleagues at our conference on "Building the South Asian Community in a Global Context" from November 16 - 18, 2005. The conference will explore major issues facing South Asia and will include keynote addresses, plenary sessions, and concurrent panel sessions. In addition, a Welcoming Reception, Aloha Dinner, and luncheons will provide opportunities for informal networking.

For more information and to register go to www.EastWestCenter.org/SouthAsia2005 .

November 20-22: Korean Oil & Gas Conference
Imperial Palace Hotel, Seoul, Korea
EWC contact: Suzie Johnson
email: johnstos@EastWestCenter.org

December 2-3: Asia in the Curriculum Symposium
EWC
EWC contact: Emily Lee, email: leee@EastWestCenter.org

2006

January 19: 2006 An International Affair
The East-West Center Foundation’s 2006 annual dinner
Hilton Hawaiian Village Coral Ballroom

The East-West Center Foundation’s annual dinner, An International Affair, will be held on Thursday, January 19, 2006 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Coral Ballroom. Proceeds from the dinner will benefit student scholarships and other East-West Center programs. The East-West Center Foundation will be presenting the Asia Pacific Community Building Award to Mr. Houghton “Buck” Freeman and Mrs. Doreen Freeman for their dedication to strengthening the bonds of understanding among the peoples and nations of Asia and the United States. More details on the program will be provided at a later date. Thank you for your support of this important event.

EWC contact: Stephanie Handa
email: handas@EastWestCenter.org

May 30 - June 29 37th Summer Seminar on Population
Three concurrent workshops, each with an independent instructional program.
Application Deadline: December 31, 2005

EWC contact: Eugene Alexander
email: alexande@EastWestCenter.org

 

December 7-10 (tentative):
EWC/EWCA 2006 International Alumni Conference
Hanoi, Vietnam
EWC contact: Gordon Ring
email: ringg@EastWestCenter.org

 

 

 

Contact information and dates are subject to change.