New book by noted journalist Gautam Adhikari explores how intolerance threatens to overshadow the idea of a secular, liberal India

HONOLULU (March 4, 2011) – More than 60 years after its independence, after enduring the trauma of Partition and multiple religious conflagrations, India still struggles with issues of national identity, according to a new book by Gautam Adhikari, visiting fellow at the East-West Center in Washington and an internationally known journalist and commentator.

The gathering will provide an opportunity for alumni from more than 35 countries who have participated in Center programs over the last five decades to reunite, renew friendships, and reminisce.

Shifting power dynamics and changing economic landscapes. China’s growing impact and Obama’s developing foreign policies. Challenges in security, climate and health . Emerging media models. Journalists today are faced with an astonishing range of new realities to report, and nowhere are these more evident than in the world’s most dynamic region -- the Asia Pacific.

“Pakistan is a Muslim country of 164 million people, and a nuclear power,” said project leader Shabbir Cheema, Director of the East-West Center’s Asia-Pacific Governance and Democracy Initiative. “But a weak Parliament, lack of trust in electoral processes and weak civil society institutions have constrained the deepening and consolidation of democracy in the country.”

In addition to the mayor’s presentation, there will be Japanese musical entertainment and a special photo exhibit centering on Sadako Sasaki, the young Hiroshima atomic bombing victim who famously folded 1,000 cranes for peace before she died from radiation-induced leukemia.

This 12-day exchange program, co-sponsored by the East-West Center and Nihon Shinbun Kyokai (NSK), sends six to seven Japanese journalists to the United States and an equal number of U.S. journalists to Japan to broaden the journalists’ knowledge of the relationship and challenges faced between the two countries.

The topic for this year is ‘A Decade of Reform 1998-2009’; looking at changes after the end of the Soeharto regime in 1998. The underlying force guiding these changes has been a spirit of reformation promising democracy, equity and justice among Indonesia’s people. However, after a decade of reform, Indonesia’s ability to provide equal democratic rights and access to every citizen has still been questioned.

As part of the 50 ^th anniversary celebrations, a series of special events will be held throughout the year, including lectures, publications, and a large international conference in Honolulu during the first week of July, 2010.

To commemorate this milestone, the EWC plans to create a special promotional logo for all EWC materials and activities associated with the Center’s 50 ^th anniversary. 

East-West Center Gallery, Honolulu

Opening reception: Sunday, Jan. 18, 2 p.m .

Featured artist: Hideta Kitazawa, noh mask carver

HONOLULU (Dec.15) -- The East-West Center has been awarded a three-year grant totaling $275,000 from the Henry Luce Foundation to provide renewed support for the Korea-United States Journalists Exchange program.

The Honorable Aburizal Bakrie, Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for People’s Welfare, told the more that 500 assembled scholars, officials and business professionals – most of whom are Center alumni – that the current global economic crisis serves as a powerful reminder “of the need to improve our cooperative efforts, of our bonds together, of the common mechanisms that we can use to solve our problems.”

Cost for the event is $14. Registration begins at 8 a.m., with the breakfast program commencing at 8:30. Reservations are requested by Tues., Oct. 14. To make a reservation, contact (808) 944-7111, or ewcinfo@eastwestcenter.org .  For media coverage of the event, please contact Derek Ferrar at (808) 944-7204 or via email ferrard@EastWestCenter.org .

Dr. Morrison will review critical issues, challenges and opportunities in U.S. relations with the Asia-Pacific region as we face an election and new U.S. leadership. Members of the public are welcome to attend.

Cost for the luncheon is $36, inclusive of service charge, tax and parking. Registration begins at 11:30 a.m., with the luncheon program commencing at noon. To make a reservation, contact (808) 944-7111/ 944-7691, or Friends@eastwestcenter.org .

The joint project, “Energy Security in the North Pacific,” stems from the Korean government’s newly launched program to strengthen Korea-U.S. relations and establish a partnership on energy diplomacy.  The collaboration between the EWC and KEEI supports that goal by improving the networking and research cooperation between the two countries, assisting in the development of an Asia Pacific energy security framework, and contributing to the design of Korea’s energy security strategy.

April 25, 2008

Media Contact:
Derek Ferrar
Media Relations Specialist
East-West Center
808-944-7204
ferrard@eastwestcenter.org

Symposium Registration:
Stella Kolinski, 944-7583
kolinsks@eastwestcenter.org

Native Hawaiian cultural specialist Ramsay Taum will be the recipient of this year’s Transformational Leadership Award at a free symposium on “Transforming Leaders and Sustainability,” to be presented on Saturday by the East-West Center Leadership Certificate Program.