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The Harvard Project for Asian and International Relations

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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]

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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]

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Harvard Conference

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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]

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Asia Conference

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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.

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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
2018Malaysia Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaSustainable DisruptionSunway University[9]
2017 Australia Sydney, AustraliaAspireThe University of Sydney
2016 Hong Kong Hong Kong SAR, ChinaEmpowerThe Chinese University of Hong Kong
2015Philippines Manila, PhilippinesConfronting Asia's Development Challenges Through InnovationDe La Salle University
2014Japan Tokyo, JapanReflection and Progression: Fostering Mutual GrowthKeio University
2013United Arab Emirates Dubai, United Arab EmiratesExtending Horizons: Charting Asia's Flourishing FutureAmerican University in Dubai [10]
2012Taiwan Taipei, TaiwanChallenges and Prospects: Envisioning Global TransformationsNational Chengchi University [11]
2011South Korea Seoul, KoreaAt the Crossroads: Decisions in a Dynamic AsiaYonsei University [12][13][14]
2010Singapore SingaporeSustaining Momentum: Ten Years into the Asian CenturySingapore Management University [15]
2009South Korea Seoul, KoreaEvolving Asia: Path-ways in the Global Era (Academic Conference)Sungkyunkwan University[16][17][18]
2009Japan Tokyo, JapanBraving New Frontiers: Tomorrow’s Ventures Today (Business Conference)Waseda University [19]
2008Malaysia Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaBeyond Borders: Asia on the World Stage (Academic Conference)Universiti Malaya
2008Malaysia Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaEmerging into Focus: Asia Incorporated (Business Conference)
2007China Beijing, ChinaEngaging Asia: Discourse and Dialogue (Academic Conference)Students in Beijing [20]
2007Hong Kong Hong Kong, ChinaEngaging Asia: Competition and Collaboration (Business Conference)University of Hong Kong [21]
2006Singapore SingaporeRedefining Asia: Visions and RealitiesNational University of Singapore
2006India Mumbai, IndiaHarvard College Asian Business Forum
2005Japan Tokyo, JapanFuturing Asia: Contemporary Challenges and Emerging RealitiesUniversity of Tokyo [22]
2004China Shanghai, ChinaThe Once and Future Asia: Expanding Horizons, Historic Transitions
2003South Korea Seoul, KoreaIntegration and Innovation: Finding Common Ground for a Dynamic AsiaSookmyung Women's University [23]
2002Australia Sydney, AustraliaTraditions and Transformations: New Perspectives of Progress
2001Singapore SingaporeAsia and the Knowledge Economy: Opportunities for Progress
2000China Beijing, ChinaDiversity and Convergence: Resolving Asia's Role in the Global Community
1999Hong Kong Hong Kong, ChinaAsia at the Crossroads: Rising to the Challenges of ReformThe Chinese University of Hong Kong
1998Malaysia Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaAsia in Transition: Beyond the Miracle
1997Thailand Bangkok, ThailandBuilding Nations, Building Communities
1996South Korea Seoul, KoreaThe Challenges of Globalization: Creating Common Ground in the 21st CenturySeoul National University [24]
1995Indonesia Jakarta, IndonesiaSustaining the Miracle: Challenges Facing Asian Development
1994Philippines Manila, PhilippinesEconomic Cooperation for the Pacific Century
1993British Hong Kong British Hong KongA Free Trade Area for the Pacific Century
1992Taiwan Taipei, TaiwanInternational Trade and Investment
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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 former 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

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