The Harvard Project for Asian and International Relations

Harvard College Project for Asian and International Relations
AbbreviationHPAIR
Formation1991
TypeNon-profit
PurposeInternational relations and global engagement with Asia
HeadquartersCambridge, Massachusetts
Official language
English
Presidents
Jessica Chen, Ellen Fitzsimons, Kaitlyn Zhou
Parent organization
Harvard University
Websitehttp://hpair.org/

The Harvard College Project for Asian and International Relations (HPAIR) is a student-led not-for-profit organization associated with the Harvard University Faculty of Arts and Sciences. HPAIR currently holds two annual conferences that bring together international students and eminent individuals in the fields of academia, politics and business - the Harvard Conference and the Asia Conference.[1]

Established in 1991, HPAIR aims to enable distinguished students to participate in an open forum on Asian and international issues with global leaders in fields ranging from international relations to technology and the fine arts.[2]

HPAIR is an organization run entirely by Harvard University. HPAIR's Asia Conference is Harvard University's largest annual student event in Asia. Since its founding in 1991, HPAIR has held over 40 conferences in locations ranging from Mumbai[3] to Kuala Lumpur.[4]

Harvard Conference

The Harvard Conference was first held in 2008 on the Harvard University campus. Each year, up to 600 international students and young professionals come together at the Harvard Conference to explore pertinent issues concerning the Asia region, including equitable access to global health, foreign policy, environmental issues, media, and entrepreneurship. Attendees have the opportunity to discuss these issues in-depth through plenary sessions, panels, seminars, and case studies.[5]

Harvard Conferences by Theme[6]

Year Theme
2022 Finding Our Future
2021 Embracing Change
2020 Striking a balance: Vision of a Conflicted World
2019 Ignite: Inspiring a New Global Narrative
2018 Innovate
2017 Navigating the Future in the Age of Innovation
2016 Transcending Borders: Global Cooperation on Emerging Challenges in Asia
2015 Asia’s Blueprint for Growth: Building an Inclusive Future
2014 The Many Faces of Asia: Shaping Identities in a Dynamic World
2013 East Meets West: Sustainable Development in the 21st Century
2012 Cross-Cultural Connections: Weaving New Silk Roads
2011 Looking Back, Forging Ahead: Asia in Pursuit of a Vibrant Future
2010 Asia Ascendant: Seizing New Heights
2009 Linking Minds: Asia in the 21st Century
2008 Cosmopolitan Asia: Diversity and Disparity

Asia Conference

The HPAIR Asia Conference is a 5-day academic program in mid-August in an Asian city. The conference integrates the contents of the academic and business world to create a hybrid structure. Delegates benefit from gaining a broader exposure to issues spanning multiple arenas, including political, social, economic, cultural, and business.

Delegates arrive at an HPAIR Asia Conference in the Philippines, 2015

The 2019 Asia Conference was held in Kazakhstan from August 16–20, co-organized by Nazarbayev University in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan.[7]

There are six conference tracks, namely:

  • Art, Media & Culture
  • Energy and Environmental Stability
  • Global Markets & the Economy
  • Governance & Geopolitics
  • Science & Technology
  • Social Policy & Justice

The Asia Conference started off in 1992 in Taipei, back then known as the Academic Conference. Bringing together a diverse group of speakers and about 300 graduate and undergraduate students from across the world, the Academic Conference takes the form of six workshops that explore, through research and discussion, issues ranging from environmentalism to cultural trends.

In 2004, HPAIR started the Business Conference, which invited many prominent figures from the world of business, government and law to discuss their understanding of Asia and its place in the global economy with more than 300 business students and young professionals. As of 2012, HPAIR has merged the Academic Conference and the Business Conference into a single conference, the Asia Conference, which brings together 600 pre-eminent young professionals from around the world.

Asia Conference in Previous Years[8]

2024 Thailand Bangkok, Thailand Reimagining Connectivity: Building Bridges in a Globalized Society Chulalongkorn University
2023 Hong Kong Hong Kong SAR, China Architects of Asia: Building Tomorrow Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
2022 India New Delhi, India Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology, Delhi
2021 Taiwan Taipei, Taiwan Reinventing with Resilience
2019 Kazakhstan Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan Passion for Change Nazarbayev University
2018 Malaysia Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Sustainable Disruption Sunway University[9]
2017 Australia Sydney, Australia Aspire The University of Sydney
2016 Hong Kong Hong Kong SAR, China Empower The Chinese University of Hong Kong
2015 Philippines Manila, Philippines Confronting Asia's Development Challenges Through Innovation De La Salle University
2014 Japan Tokyo, Japan Reflection and Progression: Fostering Mutual Growth Keio University
2013 United Arab Emirates Dubai, United Arab Emirates Extending Horizons: Charting Asia's Flourishing Future American University in Dubai [10]
2012 Taiwan Taipei, Taiwan Challenges and Prospects: Envisioning Global Transformations National Chengchi University [11]
2011 South Korea Seoul, Korea At the Crossroads: Decisions in a Dynamic Asia Yonsei University [12][13][14]
2010 Singapore Singapore Sustaining Momentum: Ten Years into the Asian Century Singapore Management University [15]
2009 South Korea Seoul, Korea Evolving Asia: Path-ways in the Global Era (Academic Conference) Sungkyunkwan University[16][17][18]
2009 Japan Tokyo, Japan Braving New Frontiers: Tomorrow’s Ventures Today (Business Conference) Waseda University [19]
2008 Malaysia Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Beyond Borders: Asia on the World Stage (Academic Conference) Universiti Malaya
2008 Malaysia Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Emerging into Focus: Asia Incorporated (Business Conference)
2007 China Beijing, China Engaging Asia: Discourse and Dialogue (Academic Conference) Students in Beijing [20]
2007 Hong Kong Hong Kong, China Engaging Asia: Competition and Collaboration (Business Conference) University of Hong Kong [21]
2006 Singapore Singapore Redefining Asia: Visions and Realities National University of Singapore
2006 India Mumbai, India Harvard College Asian Business Forum
2005 Japan Tokyo, Japan Futuring Asia: Contemporary Challenges and Emerging Realities University of Tokyo [22]
2004 China Shanghai, China The Once and Future Asia: Expanding Horizons, Historic Transitions
2003 South Korea Seoul, Korea Integration and Innovation: Finding Common Ground for a Dynamic Asia Sookmyung Women's University [23]
2002 Australia Sydney, Australia Traditions and Transformations: New Perspectives of Progress
2001 Singapore Singapore Asia and the Knowledge Economy: Opportunities for Progress
2000 China Beijing, China Diversity and Convergence: Resolving Asia's Role in the Global Community
1999 Hong Kong Hong Kong, China Asia at the Crossroads: Rising to the Challenges of Reform The Chinese University of Hong Kong
1998 Malaysia Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Asia in Transition: Beyond the Miracle
1997 Thailand Bangkok, Thailand Building Nations, Building Communities
1996 South Korea Seoul, Korea The Challenges of Globalization: Creating Common Ground in the 21st Century Seoul National University [24]
1995 Indonesia Jakarta, Indonesia Sustaining the Miracle: Challenges Facing Asian Development
1994 Philippines Manila, Philippines Economic Cooperation for the Pacific Century
1993 British Hong Kong British Hong Kong A Free Trade Area for the Pacific Century
1992 Taiwan Taipei, Taiwan International Trade and Investment

Notable Speakers

HPAIR conferences are often led by a diverse group of speakers prominent in various areas of society.

Conferences have drawn many top-tier political leaders such as former President of the Republic of Korea Kim Dae-jung,[25] Crown Prince of Perak Raja Nazrin Shah, Finance Secretary of the Republic of the Philippines Dr. Jesus P. Estanislao, and President of Singapore S. R. Nathan.[26] The former Foreign Minister of the Republic of Korea and the current Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon has spoken at an HPAIR conference.[23]

Many speakers also hail from influential international organizations, like the United Nations or the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Speakers from ASEAN include the current Secretary-General of ASEAN Surin Pitsuwan and the former Secretary-General of ASEAN Ong Keng Yong.

HPAIR often invites speakers who are successful in the world of business, like the Chairman and CEO of Ayala Corporation Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala (Harvard '81 / HBS '87), CEO of Haier Zhang Ruimin, Chairman of Prudential Asia Victor Fung and President of Goldman Sachs Asia Philip D. Murphy.

References

  1. ^ "Harvard University Asia Center".
  2. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2010-08-15. Retrieved 2010-01-21.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. ^ "Student Group Broadens Program to Mumbai | News | the Harvard Crimson".
  4. ^ "HPAIR to Meet in Malaysia | News | the Harvard Crimson".
  5. ^ "Asia 2012 About | HPAIR 2012". Archived from the original on 2012-02-01. Retrieved 2012-02-05.
  6. ^ "Past Conferences | HPAIR 2011". Archived from the original on 2012-02-09. Retrieved 2012-02-05.
  7. ^ "Conference Programming — HPAIR | The Harvard College Project for Asian and International Relations". HPAIR. Retrieved 2020-12-17.
  8. ^ "Harvard College Project for Asian and International Relations - Past Conferences".
  9. ^ "HPAIR on Twitter".
  10. ^ "American University in Dubai to host Harvard College Project".
  11. ^ "Ministry of Education Republic of China (Taiwan)". 25 December 2019.
  12. ^ "ѱ̴!".
  13. ^ "SBS 뉴스 :: 리다이렉트 페이지". 22 August 2011.
  14. ^ "ڹ⳦ͤܤΥᡪ". Хӥͥ饤.
  15. ^ "SMU Ambassadorial Corps projects".
  16. ^ "Academic Excellence - Mix Meetings". Archived from the original on 2014-02-01. Retrieved 2014-01-21.
  17. ^ "ƽþ ̽ ѡ л Ӹ ´". hankyung.com. 14 August 2009.
  18. ^ "국제 대학생 학술회의, 오늘 서울에서 개막". KBS 뉴스.
  19. ^ "リンク集・国際会議情報".
  20. ^ "ȫѧ羫Ӣ۱ HPAIRἴĻ".
  21. ^ "- HPAIR Business Conference 2007".
  22. ^ "東京大学 [広報・情報公開]記者発表一覧".
  23. ^ a b "HPAIR лȸ 60 350 21".
  24. ^ "<>15 ȭȸ".
  25. ^ "DJ "6ȸ ݵ ؾ"". hankyung.com. 4 April 2006.
  26. ^ "External Events and Announcements".