Opportunities and Challenges in India, Pakistan and Afghanistan

With Special Guests:

The Honorable Karl F. Inderfurth
Director, International Affairs Program, George Washington University, Elliott School of International Affairs. Former Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs and U.S. Representative for Special Political Affairs to the UN

The Honorable Teresita Schaffer
Director, South Asia Program, Center for Strategic and International Studies. Former U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka and Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs

The Honorable Theodore L. Eliot, Jr.
Dean Emeritus of the Fletcher School. Former U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan; Former Executive Secretary and Inspector General of the State Department

Monday, October 20, 2008

Palo Alto, CA

Refreshments at 6:00 pm
Program from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm

Levinthal Hall at the Humanities Center
424 Santa Teresa Street,
Stanford University

Seating is limited, reservations required.

Please reply to rdrsvp@asiafound.org, reference “October 20th evening event” in the subject line.

View maps and Directions.

The election of a new American president is an event of great importance to the entire world, not just the United States. From Japan to Afghanistan, the United States plays a crucial role in the security, political, and economic affairs of the region. America’s 44th president will face many challenges once in office including rebuilding trust in America, reviving the American economy without protectionism, and how to combat terrorism. Ultimately, the United States must effectively utilize and support multilateral institutions to uphold international law and foster the common interests such as international justice. Future U.S. relations with Northeast, Southeast, and South Asia depend on how these efforts unfold.

Notes from the Field from China: Juggling One World with One Dream

The Asia Foundation Renews Cooperative Anti-Poverty Program in Indonesia

United Way International Challenge Grant for a Microcredit Program in Aceh, Indonesia

The Asia Foundation Distributes More Than 300,000 Children’s Books to Asia

Briefly Noted: Program Highlights

On the Ground in Asia: Keiko Tamai

The visit, which began in late June, focused on civic engagement among American youth and provided opportunities for the young women to meet with their American peers at university campuses and grassroots organizations, observe youth political activities around the 2008 presidential elections, and participate in social service programs. They also visited national institutions, attended cultural events, and experienced home stays with American families. Upon their return to Vietnam, these cultural ambassadors shared their experiences in the United States and their impressions of American culture and society through presentations in the capital and in their home communities. Kim Ninh, Country Representative for The Asia Foundation in Vietnam, said, “I am particularly struck by the insistence of hope that permeates not only these three essays, but also most of the essays in the competition.”

Read more, including the winning essays.

Return to contents.

Kye Young is Grants Manager for Corporate and Foundation Relations at The Asia Foundation. He is based in San Francisco, and was working in the Foundation’s Beijing office prior to and during the Olympics.

Recently, I visited the center of Beijing’s international art scene: the 798 Art District. This area, once a site of numerous electronics factories, has been transformed into a vibrant community of art galleries, shops, cafes, and restaurants.

I was struck by the starkly contrasting themes at work in many of the art pieces. From oil paintings to prints, and from sculptures to stylized photography, many artists seem to reference China’s rocket-like trajectory toward modernization and have cleverly juxtaposed it against more traditional Chinese images. Charcoal drawings depict historical scenes of Guilin hills shrouded in clouds, but the ancient hills are replaced with skyscrapers, antennas, and cranes. A sculpture exhibit presents photos of present-day migrant laborers embossed on bricks and arranged in a formation reminiscent of the terra cotta warriors in Xi’an. A third, stirring exhibit incorporates gloves actually used to construct the city’s new Olympic Stadium. Other pieces presented singular images of “old” China: paintings of smiling children in rural villages, photos of Chinese students in traditional garb, and Chinese warrior sculptures.

These themes succinctly illustrate Beijing’s remarkable and startling development - with the Games of the 29th Olympiad, new hotels, malls, and skyscrapers seem to have appeared over-night. World class modern architecture has sprung up, street peddlers have vanished, many street signs are in English, and new subway lines have been established. On its surface, Beijing appears confident and ready to welcome the world to the Olympic Games. Perhaps even more interesting will be observing Beijing after the Olympics are over. Sitting here in Beijing at this moment, it is easy to imagine when the games end and the Olympic torch makes its way towards London, China’s trend toward modernization will continue.

Beijing is bringing these dramatic artistic images from the canvas to life in a way few will be lucky enough to witness firsthand. Beijing is rapidly morphing in appearance to resemble other bustling, dramatic urban landscapes. I feel privileged to be here during this dramatic moment in China’s history as it balances old and new in a dazzling juggling act.

Return to contents.