The Harvard Kennedy School Indonesia Program and the Harvard Asia Center, with support from The Australian National University’s Indonesia Project, are hosting their first national conference on Indonesia, “Understanding Indonesia: Revealing the Mysteries of Asia’s Inscrutable Giant.” Although Indonesia is a giant of Asia, it has largely escaped the attention of U.S. policy makers, academics, and the public at large.  With a population of 250 million, it is the fourth most populous country in the world. It is the largest democratic country with a Muslim-majority population. With...

In commemoration of the normalization of U.S. diplomatic relations with China, the Ash Center is cosponsoring a major conference in conjunction with the Carter Center in Atlanta and the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries. Ash Center Director Tony Saich will lead a number of sessions exploring areas of mutual interest and concern shared by both China and the U.S. Former president Jimmy Carter will address conference attendees about the future of diplomatic and economic relations between Washington and Beijing.

Co-sponsored by the Harvard University Asia Center

About the Conference
The Harvard University Asia Vision 21 annual conference series has been a concerted effort at analyzing long-term issues and developments in Asia while forging a vision of the region for the 21st century. It began as a response to the financial crises of 1997-1998 in which both the causes and some of the proposed solutions to problems in the region were examined. Subsequent conferences explored specific topics, such as the crises recovery period and the burgeoning of globalization, from country-specific points of view and with immediate problems in mind.

Topics
For the upcoming Asia Vision 21, we will discuss such topics as Asia and the world economy, domestic and regional security, the challenges of care giving for the elderly in China, and the geo-political impact of developing new sources of energy.... Read more about Asia Vision 21 (2013)

The Asia Energy Leaders Program convenes premier faculty and senior energy executives of the Asian region to analyze emerging trends in energy technology, policy, and markets. Dedicated executive programs are designed for upwards of four weeks, during which participants engage in site visits with leading U.S. technology companies, discussions with energy regulators at the federal and state levels, and targeted sessions with the most innovative leaders in energy finance.... Read more about Asia Energy Leaders Program (2013)

Led by Faculty Chair Anthony Saich and Yu Keping of China’s Central Compilation & Translation Bureau, the 2013 Annual Symposium on Civil Society and Governance was held May 16-17 at the Harvard Center Shanghai. Eighteen faculty panelists from Harvard and China and about 30 special guests were in attendance. The participants had the privilege of hearing from United States Ambassador to China Gary Locke and ZUO Xuejin, the Former Executive Vice (Acting) President of the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences.... Read more about Civil Society & Governance (2013)

At this year’s annual Asia Public Policy Forum “Poverty, Inequality and Social Protection in Asia,” participants will consider approaches to social protection in East Asia and explore the extent to which, and the conditions under which, social protection programs can help reduce poverty and inequality. The Forum will consist of commissioned scholarly paper presentations and plenary discussion of the topics raised in these papers. Small group discussion sessions will also be organized on specific topics.

Outputs from the Forum will include conference proceedings published online and potentially in book form. The organizers will also explore interest in a cross-country research program on the relationship between social protection policies and inequality in East Asia.... Read more about Asia Public Policy Forum: Poverty, Inequality, and Social Protection in Asia (2013)

About the Conference
In the face of global economic turmoil over the past few years, China’s role in the world economy has continued to expand. In 2010, China overtook Germany as the world’s largest trading country. In 2011, China replaced Japan as the world’s second largest economy. Within five years, China may produce a larger share of world GNP than the United States. China’s globalization has fundamentally changed its socio-political, physical, and economic links with the rest of the world, and China has emerged as a leader in trade and investment.... Read more about China Goes Global (2012)

This year’s Asia Public Policy Forum focuses on the theme of disaster management – an issue of critical concern for an area highly vulnerable to a variety of natural hazards. With the aim of fostering discussion on core disaster management challenges and advances in Asia, it will feature presentations on a variety of issues concerning disaster risk reduction, emergency preparedness and response, and disaster recovery.... Read more about Asia Public Policy Forum: Disaster Management in Asia (2012)

The China Energy and Environment Conference at Harvard University will provide a forum for extensive debate and collaboration. It will bring influential scholars, government officials, and private sector leaders from China and the U.S. together to address Chinese energy and environmental issues. The aims are to: enhance U.S.-China collaboration; discern the critical challenges China faces and prospects for solutions; provide insight into current Chinese policy; and offer opportunities for networking and career development.... Read more about China Energy & Environment Conference (2011)

The annual Asia Vision 21 conference and research forum brings together government officials, business leaders, and scholars from Asia and America to examine long-term issues and concerns facing Asia and to strengthen ties between the two regions. Started in 1999 by the Asia Center of Harvard University, it is now supported in part by the Rajawali Foundation Institute for Asia.

About the Conference
China’s present status in the world economy is already very impressive: The country is the world’s most populous nation, biggest trader and recipient of inbound investment, and second largest economy (in GDP PPP), and third largest trader, and the largest recipient of foreign direct investment. China has 170 cities of over one million people, as well as three of the world’s largest 20 cities: Guangzhou, Shanghai and Beijing. With over 800 million cell phone subscribers and the largest online population, China is also a major force in the introduction and diffusion of technology.... Read more about China Goes Global Conference (2011)

Mme. Li Xiaolin, Vice President, Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries
Moderator: Julian Chang, Executive Director, Ash Center

RSVP Information
Since room space is limited, please RSVP.

Your name will be randomly selected for a Forum ticket. Winners will be notified via email by Sunday, March 20. Photo ID is required for registration at the room door.

About the Speaker
Mme. Li Xiaolin is the Executive Vice President of Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC),...

About the Conference
The China Connecting Conversations conference addresses how China influences nations and corporations. It will bring together top business leaders, international government officials, and renowned academics from around the globe to gain deep insights in the China factor in the global zeitgeist, which can be used to the benefit of the organizations and the society at large. The China Connecting Conversations are held in the recognition that mutual understanding, respect, and trust are vital for successful corporate and public-private relations beyond borders.... Read more about First Annual China Connecting Conversations Conference (2011)

The Asia Public Policy Forum convenes leaders from Asia’s academic, government, and industry sectors to disseminate applied research on key governance topics and strengthen professional networks among scholars and schools of public policy in Asia.

... Read more about Asia Public Policy Forum (2011)

Established in 2001, China’s Leaders in Development program is widely recognized by the Chinese government as one of the best overseas training programs for government officials. Taught both at Tsinghua University, China, and Harvard Kennedy School, this eight-week training program is specifically designed to help prepare senior local and central Chinese government officials to more effectively address the ongoing challenges of China’s national reforms.... Read more about China’s Leaders in Development (2010)