The Harvard Project for Asian and International Relations
Encyclopedia
The Harvard Project for Asian and International Relations (HPAIR) is a non-profit organization under 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. Established in 1991 with the goal of enabling distinguished students to participate in an open forum on Asian international issues, HPAIR also promotes long-term relationships among these future leaders and connects them with current leaders in the world.
HPAIR is an organization run entirely by undergraduate students. HPAIR's Asia Conference is Harvard University
's largest annual student event in Asia.
to Kuala Lumpur
, Currently, HPAIR holds two annual conferences: the Harvard Conference and the Asia Conference.
in 1992, is traditionally held at a different Asian metropolis every year. Bringing together a diverse group of speakers and about 300 graduate and undergraduate students from across the world, the Asia 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 2010, HPAIR has merged the Academic Conference and the Business Conference into a single conference, the Asia Conference.
campus. Each year, about 200 student delegates attend the Harvard Conference, making the conference smaller but more interactive. Delegates to the current 2011 Harvard Conference will tackle professionally designed case studies from the viewpoint of a self-selected special interests group.
Conferences have drawn many top-tier political leaders such as former President of the Republic of Korea Kim Dae-jung, Crown Prince of Perak Raja Nazrin Shah
, Finance Minister of the Republic of the Philippines Dr. Jesus P. Estanislao, and President of Singapore
S. R. Nathan. 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.
Many speakers also hail from influential international organizations, like the United Nations
or the Association of Southest Asian Nations (ASEAN). The Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon
has spoken at an HPAIR conference. 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
.
HPAIR is an organization run entirely by undergraduate students. HPAIR's Asia Conference is Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
's largest annual student event in Asia.
Annual Conferences
Since its founding in 1991, HPAIR has held over 20 conferences in locations ranging from MumbaiMumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
to Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is the capital and the second largest city in Malaysia by population. The city proper, making up an area of , has a population of 1.4 million as of 2010. Greater Kuala Lumpur, also known as the Klang Valley, is an urban agglomeration of 7.2 million...
, Currently, HPAIR holds two annual conferences: the Harvard Conference and the Asia Conference.
Asia Conference
In 2010, HPAIR combined the past Academic and Business Conference to become the HPAIR Asia Conference that was held in Singapore. The Academic Conference, first held in TaipeiTaipei
Taipei City is the capital of the Republic of China and the central city of the largest metropolitan area of Taiwan. Situated at the northern tip of the island, Taipei is located on the Tamsui River, and is about 25 km southwest of Keelung, its port on the Pacific Ocean...
in 1992, is traditionally held at a different Asian metropolis every year. Bringing together a diverse group of speakers and about 300 graduate and undergraduate students from across the world, the Asia 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 2010, HPAIR has merged the Academic Conference and the Business Conference into a single conference, the Asia Conference.
Harvard Conference
The Harvard Conference was first held in 2008 on the Harvard UniversityHarvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
campus. Each year, about 200 student delegates attend the Harvard Conference, making the conference smaller but more interactive. Delegates to the current 2011 Harvard Conference will tackle professionally designed case studies from the viewpoint of a self-selected special interests group.
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, Crown Prince of Perak Raja Nazrin Shah
Raja Nazrin Shah
Raja Dr Nazrin Shah ibni Sultan Azlan Muhibbuddin Shah is the Raja Muda of Perak. He is the eldest son of the current Sultan of Perak, Sultan Azlan Muhibbudin Shah ibni Almarhum Sultan Yusuff Izzudin Shah Ghafarullahu-lahu and the Raja Permaisuri of Perak Tuanku Bainun Binti Mohd...
, Finance Minister of the Republic of the Philippines Dr. Jesus P. Estanislao, and President of Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
S. R. Nathan. The former Foreign Minister of the Republic of Korea and the current Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon
Ban Ki-moon
Ban Ki-moon is the eighth and current Secretary-General of the United Nations, after succeeding Kofi Annan in 2007. Before going on to be Secretary-General, Ban was a career diplomat in South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and in the United Nations. He entered diplomatic service the year he...
has spoken at an HPAIR conference.
Many speakers also hail from influential international organizations, like the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
or the Association of Southest Asian Nations (ASEAN). The Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon
Ban Ki-moon
Ban Ki-moon is the eighth and current Secretary-General of the United Nations, after succeeding Kofi Annan in 2007. Before going on to be Secretary-General, Ban was a career diplomat in South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and in the United Nations. He entered diplomatic service the year he...
has spoken at an HPAIR conference. Speakers from ASEAN include the current Secretary-General of ASEAN Surin Pitsuwan
Surin Pitsuwan
Surin Pitsuwan is a longtime Thai politician. He was born in Nakhon Si Thammarat, into an assimilated Thai family of Malay descent.-Early life:...
and the former Secretary-General of ASEAN Ong Keng Yong
Ong Keng Yong
Ong Keng Yong is a Singaporean diplomat. He was the Secretary-General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations from 2003 to 2007....
.
HPAIR often invites speakers who are successful in the world of business, like the Chairman and CEO of Ayala Corporation
Ayala Corporation
Ayala Corporation is a holding company for the diversified interests of the Ayala Group. Founded in the Philippines by the Spanish and German Ayala, Roxas, and Zobel families during colonial rule, it is the country's oldest and largest conglomerate...
Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala (Harvard '81 / HBS '87), CEO of Haier
Haier
Haier Group is a multinational consumer electronics and home appliances company headquartered in Qingdao, Shandong, People's Republic of China. Its products include air conditioners, mobile phones, computers, microwave ovens, washing machines, refrigerators, and televisions...
Zhang Ruimin
Zhang Ruimin
Zhang Ruimin is a Chinese businessman and chief executive officer of Haier Group. He is considered as one of the most influential and respected business figures in Asia for his work in turning a little-known, bankrupt refrigerator manufacturer into the world's fourth-largest white appliances...
, Chairman of Prudential Asia Victor Fung
Victor Fung
Victor Fung Kwok-king , GBS , is the Group Chairman of Li & Fung group of companies. Together with his brother William, he owns a controlling stake of 32% in the business, which was founded by his grandfather....
and President of Goldman Sachs
Goldman Sachs
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. is an American multinational bulge bracket investment banking and securities firm that engages in global investment banking, securities, investment management, and other financial services primarily with institutional clients...
Asia Philip D. Murphy
Philip D. Murphy
Philip D. Murphy is an American businessman and the United States Ambassador to Germany. He was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on August 7, 2009. Murphy arrived with his family in Berlin on August 21, 2009....
.