
APARC 40th
Asia in 2030, APARC@40
It was no coincidence that the Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center (APARC) found fertile soil at Stanford University, with its location near the Pacific Ocean and its mission to educate cultured citizens who extend the frontier of knowledge to solve real-world problems.
There a group of visionary faculty members was laying down roots for an organization committed to the interdisciplinary study of contemporary Asia. It was the late 1970s, China was opening to the world, and Japan was in its boom technology years, competing head-to-head with Silicon Valley and fast arriving as the world’s second-largest economy.
Since its founding in 1983, APARC has devoted itself to building an active interdisciplinary community of scholars and practitioners who come together to tackle questions with geopolitical and social import by bridging research, education, and policy outreach. Over the past 40 years, by nurturing this dual focus on academic rigor and purposeful engagement, the center has trained many cohorts of emerging Asia scholars, supported established specialists, produced numerous publications, hosted esteemed experts and policymakers, and strengthened dialogue and cooperation between counterparts in the Asia-Pacific and the United States.
Throughout the 2023 winter and spring quarters, APARC is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a special event series, "Asia in 2030, APARC@40," that highlight some aspects of our core areas of expertise, examines Asia’s transformation over the past four decades, and considers the drivers and shapers of the region’s future. Each installment in the series is hosted by one of our six research programs. The series will culminate in a two-day, APARC-wide anniversary conference to be held in May.
Anniversary Event Series
February 23, 9:30 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.
The Future of Social Tech: Nurturing Skills and Markets for Social Impact Innovation
In-person conference
View the conference recap, livestream, and photos >
Join the Japan Program at APARC’s 40th anniversary inaugural conference and hear from Japanese and American entrepreneurs, investors, content creators, and educators who will share lessons and best practices for accelerating social impact innovation. Headlined by YOSHIKI, a composer, classically-trained pianist, rock drummer, and the leader of the rock groups X Japan and The Last Rockstars.
March 3
The Future of Decoupling with China: Myths and Realities
Hybrid panel discussion
Join the China Program at APARC’s 40th Anniversary for this special session separating facts from fiction and information from disinformation regarding "decoupling" with China. We bring a cross-section panel of industries from tech, retail, and finance currently engaged in reshaping their China businesses to reflect the reality as they see it.
March 8, 5-6:30 p.m.
The Future of Health Policy: Reflections and Contributions from the Field
Online webinar
Watch the recording and get the highlights >
This webinar brings together former postdoctoral fellows from APARC's Asia-Health Policy Program to explore their contributions in guiding healthcare providers and policy audiences toward a better understanding of health and demographic issues and the delivery of health services.
April 6, 5-9 p.m.
Southeast Asia in 2030: The Future of Intermestic Relations
Online panel
Presenters will discuss issues including ASEAN in 2030, the dynamics of foreign policy, neutrality vs. alignment, prospects for strategic autonomy, implications for democracy, and the impact of technology on foreign policy, including in relation to relevant big-power affinities and rivalries.
April 19, 1-5:15 p.m.
The Future of Hallyu: Korean Cinema on the Global Stage
In-person conference
Led by the Korea Program, this half-day event in APARC's anniversary series will feature three panels with academics and Korean screenwriters and actors who will consider the future of K-drama and Korean cinema while envisioning how these media genres could help expand the horizons of the field of Korean studies.
May 5
India in 2030: The Future of Strategic Technologies
In-person workshop
At this workshop, led by the South Asia Initiative, presenters and discussants will focus on new technologies and the ways in which they will shape India’s strategic environment in 2030.
May 17-18
Asia in 2030, APARC@40 Anniversary Conference and Celebration
Agenda and details forthcoming