Seminar on "The Global Economic Crisis: Impacts and Responses in Asia"

Each year the East-West Center invites rising young leaders from the United States and Asia Pacific to participate in The New Generation Seminar (NGS), a two-week intensive educational, dialogue and study tour travel program. The program is developed around a thematic focus and provides participants with an opportunity to strengthen their understanding of Asia Pacific-U.S. developments and challenges, build a regional network and to become leaders with a more international perspective. The first week of the program is held in Hawaii. In discussions with East-West Center researchers, other experts in the Hawaii community and one another, participants are introduced to key regional policy issues such as international relations, security, economics, population, health and environment. The second week involves field travel to either the United States or Asia Pacific for exploration of the program theme.
The world is facing what may be the first truly global economic crisis. The financial meltdown that began on Wall Street has become a crisis that reaches deep into the globally integrated financial and trading systems, posing very serious challenges for countries around the world. Asia’s vastly diverse economies have experienced the fallout in different ways, all of which are testing political, economic and social structures across the region.
The 19th New Generation Seminar will provide an opportunity for policy and decision-makers from Asia Pacific and the United States to develop a comprehensive perspective of how the financial crisis is affecting regional economies, how countries are responding nationally, and what countries are doing together. Participants will travel to Korea and Vietnam to compare the challenges and policy responses in two Asian countries representing different stages of economic development and different political systems. In Korea participants will examine how the crisis has affected a newly industrialized economy that has been one of Asia’s success stories since the 1997 Asian financial crisis. Vietnam offers a view of the impact on an emerging economy that has had the second highest growth rate in Asia for several years, but still remains a developing nation. Meetings and visits will expose participants to a wide range of perspectives from government, private sector, labor, academia, civil society and the media to better understand the causes, consequences and future implications of this unprecedented challenge to the global economy.
For full information about the NGS please download the 19th NGS Background Summary
Who Can Apply
The New Generation Seminar involves 12-14 participants aged mid-20’s to late 30’s, approximately 8-10 from Asia Pacific and 4 from the United States. The program seeks to engage “communicators” and “leaders,” those individuals who are in a position to shape and influence policy and decision-making in their countries, regions or local communities. Primarily these leaders will be involved in political processes. Past participants have included members of national, state or provincial government assemblies or ministries, young mayors or governors, city council members, up and coming members of political parties, leaders of political party youth wings, political advisers and other elected officials. The NGS also includes leaders from civil society organizations, media, business and law. The program is geared toward professionals working outside of academia.
The strongest candidates for the program will be:
  • Working professionals in their mid-20s to late 30s;
  • Political and community leaders or communicators with broad-based policy knowledge and influence;
  • Individuals with limited opportunity for international travel;
  • Fluent in English.

Candidates need not be specialists in the program theme; indeed, as stated above, we prefer candidates with broad based policy profiles who could benefit from deepening their understanding of the current economic crisis.

For a summary of the NGS program and full details on participant criteria please download the 19th NGS Background Summary.

How to Apply
Participation in the New Generation Seminar is a competitive process. Nominations are received from a variety of U.S. and Asia Pacific organizations and qualified individuals are welcome to submit applications on their own. The applications and nominations are reviewed by an East-West Center Selection Committee, which makes the final selection of candidates.

To apply, please submit the following:

  • The Application Cover Sheet (Click here to download. You may type directly into this Word document).
  • A brief written statement about why you wish to participate in the 19th New Generation Seminar (not more than one typewritten double-spaced page, please). In responding please consider what you feel that you can contribute to the program and what you hope to gain from participating given your current leadership positions/roles, especially with regard to this year’s program theme.
  • One-paragraph professional biography summarizing your current work and highlighting your leadership experience and those aspects of your resume you think are most important for the selection committee.
  • Copy of resume to include professional and educational background.Resume or CV should clearly indicate years and type of education, title of position held, name of employer, dates spent at each position, and most importantly a brief outline of specific responsibilities or accomplishments in each position.
  • Two (2) letters of professional recommendation on official letterhead with current contact information for each person writing a recommendation.

For a printed summary of the application requirements, please download the Application Instructions and Cover Sheet.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: APRIL 1,

You may send applications via:
E-MAIL: ngs@eastwestcenter.org
FAX: (808) 944-7600
POST: New Generation Seminar, East-West SeminarsEast-West Center, 1601 East-West Road, Honolulu, Hawaii, 96848-1601, USA

For questions or confirmation of receipt, please contact: TEL: (808) 944-7682
We will confirm receipt of the application within 5 working days. If you do not hear back from us, please follow up. Applications must be received at the East-West Center by the application deadline in order to be considered. You will be notified of the results by June 15,

Moreinfo: http://www.eastwestcenter.org/ngs