East-West Center Office of Alumni Engagement

?? EWC Alumni - are you a former Asia Pacific Leadership Program participant? Or, interested in connecting with the APLP alumni community? The EWCA APLP Chapter is hosting their 4th International Leadership Colloquium "Sea and Human Security for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific" on December 8, 2024 from 11:00am to 1:00pm PHT. Hear from speakers RAdm Roy Trinidad, Elisha Fernando, Dhiraj Nainani, and Dhanuka Dickwella, with welcome remarks from EWCA President, Taine Duncan. See details Zoom details below ?? #EastWestCenterAlumni #EWCA #ewc_leadership #ewcaplp East-West Center Leadership Elizabeth Milo

? East-West Center Arts Feature ? Bamboo Genesis: The Fillipino Legend of Creation Unknown artist Bas relief storyboard on Nara wood 1980s In pre-colonial Philippine folklore, the first man and woman. In the beginning there was only sky, sea, and a single bird, Amman. The bird grew tired and, while looking for a place to rest, stirred up the sea until its waters reached the sky. The sky then showered the sea with islands in order to calm it down, and told the bird to pick an island to build its nest there. One day, the bird was struck by a bamboo pole, the child of the land and sea breezes. Annoyed, the bird struck at the nodes of the bamboo until it split. From one half a man, Malakas (“strong one”) emerged, and from the other half a woman, Maganda (“beautiful one”). Together they stepped into life, hand in hand, equal and bound to each other by a common nature and simultaneous emergence, each one with particular attributes to complement the other. This bas relief was gifted by the EWCA Philippines Alumni Chapter in 1986. The gift is a testament to the generosity and connection of our alumni community and alumni chapters. The piece symbolizes the importance of cultural preservation and the deep pride in sharing stories that embody heritage and identity. For the East-West Center, this piece reflects not only the diversity of its alumni network but also the shared sense of place that unites us. Through gifts like this, alumni demonstrate their commitment to fostering cultural exchange, preserving traditions, and contributing to a legacy that inspires generations to come. Here in Hawai?i? Come view “Bamboo Genesis: The Filipino Legend of Creation” and many other works in, Expressions of Gratitude: Works of Art from the East-West Center Collection, on display at EWC Gallery now through January 19, 2025. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gnucJ4zg #ewcarts #eastwestcenter #ewcpermanentcollection #EastWestCenterAlumni #EWCAPhilippines

Attention EWC Alumni in Journalism and Media! ??? Will you be in Manila or Taipei this December? Don’t miss the chance to mix, mingle, and network at one of our Jefferson Fellowship Gatherings! This year, the East-West Center and East-West Center Seminars & Journalism team will be taking the 2024 Jefferson Fellows to Honolulu, Manila and Taipei. ?? Manila, Philippines ??? Monday, December 9 | ?? 5:00–6:30 PM ?? Taipei, Taiwan ??? Thursday, December 12 | ?? 5:00–6:30 PM Join us for an informal evening to meet the 2024 Jefferson Fellows, connect with fellow alumni, and share your passion for storytelling and journalism. ?? What to Expect? ?? Brief intros from the 12 Jefferson Fellows ?? Great conversations with media professionals ?? Appetizers on us + drinks available for purchase ?? This is your chance to reconnect with the EWC community and exchange ideas with emerging and seasoned journalists alike. RSVP by November 26th! Tag your EWC journalist friends and make it a night to remember! ?? Interested? Email [email protected] for the gathering locations! #EastWestCenterAlumni #EWCJeffersonFellowship

EWC alumni in Bangkok, this one's for you! The EWCA Bangkok Chapter will be hosting an Aloha Luncheon for chapter members and all EWC alumni in the Bangkok area. This will be an opportunity for Bangkok alumni to reconnect, reminisce, and create new memories over great food and even better company. ?? When: 12 PM | Friday, November 29 ?? Where: Narisa Cafe & Creative Space ?? Cost: 650?/person Don't miss your chance to catch up and enjoy a laid-back afternoon with your EWC ?ohana! Send in your RSVP by November 26 to reserve your spot. Interested? Email [email protected]. #EastWestCenterAlumni #EWCA

#ICYMI: TOMORROW the East-West Center Association will be hosting a virtual EWCA General Membership Meeting from 4:00 to 4:30 HST on Thursday, November 14. All East-West Center Alumni are invited to attend! Hear directly from EWC Leadership and the EWCA Executive Board. What will be discussed? ? Updates from EWC Leadership ? New EWCA Chapter ? EWCA Strategic Plan and By-laws ? 2025 EWC/EWCA International Conference ?? Register on Zoom: https://bit.ly/4f3FPeD ?? Questions? Email [email protected] #EastWestCenterAlumni #EWCA

Congratulations to former East-West Center President Charles E. Morrison on being awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette! According to an official statement from the Japanese government, Charles's award is for making “significant contributions to establishing educational exchange programs with Okinawa and strengthening various exchange projects between Japan and the United States, contributing to the promotion of academic exchange and mutual understanding between the two countries.” Read more: https://lnkd.in/gXU-5KrE East-West Center Research

?? Important Announcement for the EWC Alumni Community ?? ? East-West Center President Suzanne Vares-Lum has announced that she will be departing the Center at the end of this year to take on a new role as head of the Daniel K. Inouye Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies. ? During her tenure, President Vares-Lum has had the privilege of meeting many of our alumni at Alumni & Friends receptions across the globe—from Washington DC to Tokyo, Manila, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Islamabad, Karachi, New Delhi, Seoul, Taipei, Tonga and beyond! ? Our commitment to keeping alumni informed and connected remains stronger than ever. Stay tuned for more updates and join us in wishing President Vares-Lum all the best in her new endeavor! Read more: https://lnkd.in/gv9qSTfi #EastWestCenterAlumni #EastWestCenter

CALLING #VIETNAMESE SCHOLARS, RESEARCHERS, JOURNALISTS, EXPERTS, AND OTHERS ?? In celebration of the 30th anniversary of US-Vietnam relations, the East-West Center is excited to welcome applications for a special initiative under our Research Innovation & Collaboration Exchange (RICE) program! Are you a Vietnam-based scholar with a creative research idea? See if you qualify: https://lnkd.in/eXSrbKht

?Alumni Spotlight? Earlier this month, the late Dr. Harka B. Gurung was honored in the Nepali Times article, "Remembering Nepal's 5 Best Minds." ?? Did you know? Dr. Harka Gurung was the very first Nepali to earn a PhD from an international university, receiving his doctorate from the University of Edinburgh in 1965. An East-West Center alum from 1984, Dr. Gurung studied urbanization, migration, and development at the Population Institute. He was Nepal's first mountain geographer and was internationally celebrated for documenting the Himalayan landscape. Throughout his career, he also served in prominent government roles, notably on Nepal's National Planning Commission, and as the Minister of Education and Minister of State for Tourism. Harka Gurung sadly passed away in September of 2006. Learn more Dr. Gurung's legacy here: https://bit.ly/4eZIUwo #EastWestCenterAlumni

???Happy Diwali to All Who Celebrate!??? Tomorrow, the EWCA DC Alumni Chapter invites all alumni in the DC area to celebrate Diwali with fellow?East-West Center?alumni at the National Museum of Art on Friday, November 1st at 5:00 PM EDT during their Asia After Dark Event. The Chapter Board is excited to share an evening of food, music, dance, and crafts that showcase the diverse ways Diwali is celebrated across different regions. Tickets are limited! Don't miss your chance to attend the celebration! Interested? Email [email protected]. As we enter a season filled with meaningful celebrations, we extend warm wishes to our alumni observing Diwali. Diwali is a time of joy and connection, celebrated by millions around the world as families and friends gather to light lamps, share sweets, exchange gifts, and honor the deeper themes of reflection, renewal, and gratitude. We also recognize that this time of year brings a wealth of festivities worldwide, honoring unique cultural and spiritual traditions that inspire joy, gratitude, and community. Whether you’re trick-or-treating with family, gathering to celebrate a bountiful harvest, to give thanks, or to remember loved ones, these traditions reflect our shared humanity and the diverse ways we welcome the season with warmth and unity. #EastWestCenterAlumni?#EWCA East-West Center in Washington