EWCA Programs, Conferences, and Services

 

EWC/EWCA International Conference, Hanoi, Vietnam

Dates: December 8 -10, 2006

Venue: Melia Hanoi Hotel & Convention Center

Theme: "Building an Asia Pacific Community for Sustainable Development"

More than 500 East-West Center alumni from 36 countries attended the EWC/EWCA International Conference "Building an Asia Pacific Community for Sustainable Development" December 8 - 10 in Hanoi, Vietnam. Highlights of the conference included keynote addresses by Vietnamese government officials including Vice Foreign Minister Le Van Bang and EWC alumnae Madame Ton Nu Thi Ninh, Vice Chair of the National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs Committee. There were over 40 stimulating panel discussions ranging from air pollution, to Vietnamese – U.S. Relations, to infectious diseases and a marvelous demonstration of traditional Vietnamese music by Professor Tran Van Khe, a world famous musicologist.

Friendships were renewed, and professional networking among conference participants was clearly visible during meals and informal gatherings. Conference co-chairs, Thanh Lo Le-Khac Sananikone of Hawaii and EWCA Hanoi Chapter Leader Hoang Hoe, were acknowledged for their hard work in ensuring the success of this landmark conference .

Working in cooperation with the East-West Center alumni office and Hanoi chapter on conference logistics was the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations (VUSTA). Conference sponsors included the Ford Foundation, PacMar, Inc., SOVICO GROUP, Gary and Bach Mai Larsen, DACO Duyen Trading & Tour Service Co., Ltd, Indochina Capital, the Foreign Trade University, Gannon Corporation, and the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi.

Additional conference highlights included:
· The participation of the Asia Pacific Leadership Program. Fifty APLP students attended the conference and held their graduation in Hanoi on the last day of the conference.
· A standing room only panel discussion on intercultural marriages that traced the ultimate in East-West relations when personal stories of alumni who met while participating in an East-West Center programs and ended up "walking down the aisle."
· Adoption of a new alumni strategic plan by the participants at the EWCA Membership Meeting.
· At the Chapter Leaders Workshop, each EWCA Chapter identified specific activities it will carry out in 2007 which contribute to the new alumni strategic plan
· Proposals for the next international conference in 2008 were reviewed and EWCA members recommended Bali, Indonesia as the preferred venue.
· Alumni awards for distinguished accomplishments, outstanding volunteer work, and outstanding chapters were recognized.
· The Alumni Talent Show included poets, musicians, and dancers concluding with an emotional rendition of Aloha Oe as everyone stood to signal the end of another successful alumni conference.

Alumni rated the conference as very successful including comments such as “Best ever conference,” “people, papers, venue, food – all the best,” and “great job, thanks for a terrific conference”.

EWC President, Charles E. Morrison's Address

EWCA President, Lawrence Foster's Address

Final Participant Listing

Abstract Booklet

Presenter's Abstract Listing

Committee Members/Organizers/Sponsors

Pictures