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The 22nd East-West Center International Graduate Student Conference
Conference Dates: February 16-18, 2023
Theme: Recovery and Resilience in a Changing World
Our world is facing several challenges such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, political turmoil, and cultural imperialism. These issues have resulted in unprecedented global crises, with vulnerable populations and environments around the world being disproportionately impacted. As such, these require coordinated responses on various fronts by communities and governments, and can take two key forms: recovery and resilience. The focus during the recovery stage is to kick-start various activities to gradually move towards the “new normal” over the short to medium run. As for resilience, the emphasis is on strengthening communities’ preparedness in the long run to withstand future challenges.
In light of this, it is imperative for scholars, researchers, and artists to share and provide a robust analysis of responses to aforementioned shocks. Therefore, IGSC 2023 invites contributions from all disciplines that enable a deeper understanding and analysis of similar challenges, specifically pertaining to the US and the Asia-Pacific region.
For any inquiries or questions regarding the conference, please connect with us at [email protected]
download the 2023 program
Keynote Address
"Building Back Better: A goal, an aspiration, or just a slogan?"
To attend remotely, please register for the webinar here.
In the aftermath of disasters, we frequently aim for a built-back-better recovery; be it after a hurricane, a flood, or any other disaster. Yet, the record of achieving this goal is quite mixed. This talk aims to identify the ways we can think about an economic recovery that is indeed better, and what may be some of the policies that can lead us in that direction, and not away from it.
Keynote Speaker Ilan Noy is the Chair in the Economics of Disasters and Climate Change - Te Āwhionukurangi, at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington. His research and teaching focus on the economic aspects of natural hazards, disasters, and climate change, and other related topics in environmental, development, and international economics. He is also the founding Editor-in-Chief of the journal Economics of Disasters and Climate Change. He previously worked at the University of Hawai’i, and has consulted for the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, OECD, UNDRR, the IMF, and ASEAN.
Arts Presentation
"Tạnu: Recovery and Resilience in the Pacific"
Entitled “Tạnu” ("Water" in English), the poem and song is written in the Rotuman dialect and engages the importance of water - from the mountains, into the valleys from rain and into the seas. These creative works acknowledge the relationship with ‘tạnu’ and reflect on humans' continuous exploitation towards this precious resource. How have we taken ‘tạnu’ for granted and fail to see its importance? And what of the future generations? How will they navigate their relationship with ‘tạnu’? What will be our legacies? These works help us appreciate ‘tạnu’ today as it did for our ancestors, nourishing souls and guiding voyages.
John Taukave has been a performance artist for over 15 years. He partakes cultural art forms including Pacific and Rotuman performing arts, indigenous storytelling, cultural music creation, and applied experiences in cultural research. He works with Rako Pasefika, a Rotuman Cultural Arts Company. He was part of the Fiji Delegation to the 2016 Pacific Arts Festival, the cultural performing ambassador for Fiji and the Pacific Delegation to the 2018 Global Climate Summit, and participated in an intimate sharing performance at the Sydney Opera House in 2019.
Logistical Information (FAQs)
The IGSC Frequently Asked Questions pages contain comprehensive information regarding the conference, including abstract submission, registration and fees, and guidelines for presenters.
Conference Venue and Accommodation
The conference is scheduled to be held at the Hawaii Imin International Conference Center, at 1777 East-West Road, Honolulu, HI 96848, which adjoins the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa campus and the East-West Center residence halls. Refer to the Imin Conference Center website for more information.
A limited number of rooms at the East-West Center residence halls are reserved for registered conference participants. Special rates will be made available for conference participants but will be applicable only for the conference dates. (However, once you check out, the special rates will not be applicable if you check in again during the specified period). Make sure that you mention the International Graduate Student Conference when you reserve a room.
The rates per night for the conference participants are as follows:
Lincoln Hall
- Studio room - $64/night
- Corner Studio room - $80/night
- 1 bedroom w/kitchen room - $95/night
Rent is due upon check in.
Please refer to the EWC Housing website for details (including pictures of the rooms) and reservation procedure.
Participants are requested to get in touch with EWC Housing authorities directly for their accommodation reservation as well as questions thereto by email at: [email protected]. Please wait until you are notified about the results of abstract selection committee before making a reservation.
We look forward to welcoming you to the East-West Center. In preparation of your arrival, please visit our East-West Center Participant Information webpage where you can find useful tips for your stay here.
U.S. Visa Information
Non-US participants who need a B-1 visa to enter the United States are encouraged to start looking for information related to obtaining a US visa in your country. The following websites may be useful for you:
US Embassies
- for embassy location, policies, and procedures for visa applications/issuance
Visa Appointments & Waiting Times
- for wait times for required visa appointments/issuance by consular post
Visa Waiver Program
- for countries participating in a visa waiver program with the United States
Please note that the EWC does not provide visa assistance. However, the abstract acceptance email for the conference serves as a valid document for you to initiate your visa process.
Past Conferences
For additional information, as well as photos, please refer to the web pages for past conferences, available in the right-hand menu. Also see the video below:
Contact Information
The International Graduate Student Conference
c/o EWC Education Program
1601 East-West Road, Burns Hall 2089
Honolulu, Hawai‘i 96848
USA
Ph. (808) 944-7458
Fax (808) 944-7070
Email: [email protected]
Travel notice:
The East-West Center is committed to following travel guidelines set out by the CDC regarding the coronavirus.
The 22nd East-West Center International Graduate Student Conference
Conference Dates: February 16-18, 2023
Theme: Recovery and Resilience in a Changing World
Our world is facing several challenges such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, political turmoil, and cultural imperialism. These issues have resulted in unprecedented global crises, with vulnerable populations and environments around the world being disproportionately impacted. As such, these require coordinated responses on various fronts by communities and governments, and can take two key forms: recovery and resilience. The focus during the recovery stage is to kick-start various activities to gradually move towards the “new normal” over the short to medium run. As for resilience, the emphasis is on strengthening communities’ preparedness in the long run to withstand future challenges.
In light of this, it is imperative for scholars, researchers, and artists to share and provide a robust analysis of responses to aforementioned shocks. Therefore, IGSC 2023 invites contributions from all disciplines that enable a deeper understanding and analysis of similar challenges, specifically pertaining to the US and the Asia-Pacific region.
For any inquiries or questions regarding the conference, please connect with us at [email protected]
download the 2023 program
Keynote Address
"Building Back Better: A goal, an aspiration, or just a slogan?"
To attend remotely, please register for the webinar here.
In the aftermath of disasters, we frequently aim for a built-back-better recovery; be it after a hurricane, a flood, or any other disaster. Yet, the record of achieving this goal is quite mixed. This talk aims to identify the ways we can think about an economic recovery that is indeed better, and what may be some of the policies that can lead us in that direction, and not away from it.
Keynote Speaker Ilan Noy is the Chair in the Economics of Disasters and Climate Change - Te Āwhionukurangi, at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington. His research and teaching focus on the economic aspects of natural hazards, disasters, and climate change, and other related topics in environmental, development, and international economics. He is also the founding Editor-in-Chief of the journal Economics of Disasters and Climate Change. He previously worked at the University of Hawai’i, and has consulted for the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, OECD, UNDRR, the IMF, and ASEAN.
Arts Presentation
"Tạnu: Recovery and Resilience in the Pacific"
Entitled “Tạnu” ("Water" in English), the poem and song is written in the Rotuman dialect and engages the importance of water - from the mountains, into the valleys from rain and into the seas. These creative works acknowledge the relationship with ‘tạnu’ and reflect on humans' continuous exploitation towards this precious resource. How have we taken ‘tạnu’ for granted and fail to see its importance? And what of the future generations? How will they navigate their relationship with ‘tạnu’? What will be our legacies? These works help us appreciate ‘tạnu’ today as it did for our ancestors, nourishing souls and guiding voyages.
John Taukave has been a performance artist for over 15 years. He partakes cultural art forms including Pacific and Rotuman performing arts, indigenous storytelling, cultural music creation, and applied experiences in cultural research. He works with Rako Pasefika, a Rotuman Cultural Arts Company. He was part of the Fiji Delegation to the 2016 Pacific Arts Festival, the cultural performing ambassador for Fiji and the Pacific Delegation to the 2018 Global Climate Summit, and participated in an intimate sharing performance at the Sydney Opera House in 2019.
Logistical Information (FAQs)
The IGSC Frequently Asked Questions pages contain comprehensive information regarding the conference, including abstract submission, registration and fees, and guidelines for presenters.
Conference Venue and Accommodation
The conference is scheduled to be held at the Hawaii Imin International Conference Center, at 1777 East-West Road, Honolulu, HI 96848, which adjoins the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa campus and the East-West Center residence halls. Refer to the Imin Conference Center website for more information.
A limited number of rooms at the East-West Center residence halls are reserved for registered conference participants. Special rates will be made available for conference participants but will be applicable only for the conference dates. (However, once you check out, the special rates will not be applicable if you check in again during the specified period). Make sure that you mention the International Graduate Student Conference when you reserve a room.
The rates per night for the conference participants are as follows:
Lincoln Hall
- Studio room - $64/night
- Corner Studio room - $80/night
- 1 bedroom w/kitchen room - $95/night
Rent is due upon check in.
Please refer to the EWC Housing website for details (including pictures of the rooms) and reservation procedure.
Participants are requested to get in touch with EWC Housing authorities directly for their accommodation reservation as well as questions thereto by email at: [email protected]. Please wait until you are notified about the results of abstract selection committee before making a reservation.
We look forward to welcoming you to the East-West Center. In preparation of your arrival, please visit our East-West Center Participant Information webpage where you can find useful tips for your stay here.
U.S. Visa Information
Non-US participants who need a B-1 visa to enter the United States are encouraged to start looking for information related to obtaining a US visa in your country. The following websites may be useful for you:
US Embassies
- for embassy location, policies, and procedures for visa applications/issuance
Visa Appointments & Waiting Times
- for wait times for required visa appointments/issuance by consular post
Visa Waiver Program
- for countries participating in a visa waiver program with the United States
Please note that the EWC does not provide visa assistance. However, the abstract acceptance email for the conference serves as a valid document for you to initiate your visa process.
Past Conferences
For additional information, as well as photos, please refer to the web pages for past conferences, available in the right-hand menu. Also see the video below:
Contact Information
The International Graduate Student Conference
c/o EWC Education Program
1601 East-West Road, Burns Hall 2089
Honolulu, Hawai‘i 96848
USA
Ph. (808) 944-7458
Fax (808) 944-7070
Email: [email protected]
Travel notice:
The East-West Center is committed to following travel guidelines set out by the CDC regarding the coronavirus.