HPAIR

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Harvard Project for asian and international relations

Harvar dProje ctfora sian an dintern

THE HARVARd PROJECT For ASIAN AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
is Harvard Universitys student outpost in Asia, a dynamic and internationally visible forum in which future leaders engage the most pressing issues facing the Asia-Pacific region.

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about HPair

TAblE oF CONTENTS
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Past conferences notable sPeaKers

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2012 Harvard conference

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conference HigHligHts

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conference Program

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Plenary sessions Panel sessions

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sPecial events

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suPPorting HPair board of advisers

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organizing committee

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contact us

AbouT HPAIR
HPAIR pursues a diverse set of programs, both in Asia and at Harvard.

As Harvards largest student outpost in Asia, HPAIR strives to create a forum of exchange and facilitate discussion of the most important economic, political, and social issues relevant to the Asia-Pacific region. HPAIR is a collaboration between the students and faculty of Harvard University to promote discourse on critical issues affecting Asia and its relations with the world. Altogether, our program intends to achieve three goals. We aim to: Provide a dynamic forum of exchange on international issues vital to Asia Foster long-term relationships among young leaders from around the globe Connect talented delegates with todays leaders in academia, business and government.

MESSAGE FroM THE

In 1991, three intrepid Harvard undergraduates crafted a vision of an organization that would bring together university students from across Asia and the world to exchange ideas on important international issues and to build relationships among the future leaders of the world. Just a year later, the first annual HPAIR conference took place in Taipei, at a time when the Cold War was just drawing to a close. The inaugural HPAIR conference sought to address the issues of an uncertain but exciting world and its success garnered strong support to continue the project. By 1996, changes in the geopolitical landscape, along with rapid technological and economic advancements, had ushered in a new era of greater international cooperation and allowed modern financial and political ties to transcend national borders as never before. HPAIR 1996 was one of the first scholarly platforms to provide students and academics the opportunity to explore the new phenomenon of globalization. Then, in the wake of the Asian financial crisis, HPAIR 1998 sought to look beyond Asias economic growth and to address the myriad of challenges that accompanied the Asian Miracle. In 2001, HPAIR substantially expanded the pool of conference applicants and began an on- campus program of events at Harvard. By 2004, HPAIRs Asia conference emerged as Harvards largest annual event in Asia and the largest student conference in the Asia-Pacific region. The Business Conference was inaugurated that year, and following its success, the Harvard Conference was launched in 2008. This year, in 2012, HPAIR celebrates its 21st birthday as Harvards largest student

EXECUTIVE dIRECTORS
conference in the Asia-Pacific region. For 20 years, HPAIR has brought together leaders from around the world in a forum of exchange on the most pressing issues in the AsiaPacific region. HPAIR has held conferences in 14 major cities, attracted more than 10,000 conference attendees, and addressed such fields as social, economic, cultural, and business. This year, with the continued attendance of some of the worlds most distinguished leaders, HPAIR continues its history as one of the most visible university forums in the Asia-Pacific region. On behalf of the organization, welcome to HPAIR 2012.

Executive Director, HPAIR 2012 Harvard Conference

cHristina guo

Executive Director, HPAIR 2012 Asia Conference

jennifer zHu

coNFErENcE INTROdUCTION
Since 1991, the annual HPAIR conferences have brought together the most promising students from around the world to engage in a dynamic forum with leaders in government, business, academia, and the arts. The Asia Conference has emerged as Harvard Universitys largest student event in Asia.

tHe HPair conferences

Continuing its tradition of academic excellence, the Harvard Conference seeks to create a rigorous forum for dialogue and exchange. The 2012 conference will invite both international students and Harvard students to come together in February for four days. With the theme of Cross Cultural Connections: Weaving New Silk Roads, conference attendees will explore pertinent issues concerning the Asia region, including foreign policy, public health, environmental issues, media, and entrepreneurship. Attendees will have the opportunity to investigate these issues in-depth through plenary sessions, panel sessions, seminars, and case-studies.

tHe Harvard conference

The HPAIR Asia Conference is a 5-day academic program in mid-August in an Asian country. The conference integrates the contents of the academic and business world to create a hybrid structure. Delegates will benefit from gaining a broader exposure to issues spanning multiple arenas, including political, social, economic, cultural, and business. As the world becomes more globalized as well as commercialized, the boundary between business and other aspects of society is increasingly less rigid. The Asia Conference seeks to capture this phenomenon and help delegates understand its impacts on the future of international relations.

tHe asia conference

pAST CONfERENCES
2011 seoul, cambridge 2010 singaPore, cambridge 2009 seoul, toKyo, cambridge 2008 Kuala lumPur, cambridge 2007 beijing, Hong Kong 2006 singaPore, mumbai 2005 toKyo 2004 sHangHai 2003 seoul 2002 sydney 2001 singaPore 2000 beijing 1999 Hong Kong 1998 Kuala lumPur 1997 bangKoK 1996 seoul 1995 jaKarta 1994 manila 1993 Hong Kong 1992 taiPei

NoTAblE SPEAkERS
Director, World Economic Forum

franK jrgen ricHter Kim dae-jung

Former President of the Republic of Korea

Former President of the Republic of Korea

Kim young-sam
Secretary-General, ASEAN

rudolfo severino

President, Goldman Sachs Asia

PHiliP murPHy bill emmott zHang Weiying

CEO, Ayala Corporation

jaime zobel de ayala ii

Editor, The Economist

John Mitchell Mason Professor and Provost Emeritus, Columbia University

Wm. tHeodore de bary Wendy cHamberlin

Professor, School of Management, Peking University of China

Vice-Chancellor, University of Hong Kong

dr. laP-cHee tsui

President of the Middle East Institute Former U.S. Ambassador to Laos, Pakistan

Professor, Harvard Business School

louis Wells

Director of the Earth Institute, Columbia University

jeffrey sacHs

NoTAblE SPEAkERS
Chairman, Li & Fung Group

dr. victor fung

Ambassador of China, Permanent Representative to the U.N.

Wu jianming

U.S. Ambassador to Singapore

david adelman

Secretary General, United Nations

ban Ki-moon

Secretary General, the BOAO Forum

long young-tu sasaKi taKesHi

Former Governor of Massachusetts 1988 Democratic nominee for the President of the United States

micHael stanley duKaKis mong joon cHung

President, University of Tokyo

President and CEO of Incheon Airport

c.W. lee

Former Chairman of Hyundai Heavy Industries Co

President Google Asia-Pacific

daniel alegre ricHard lui

Minister for Community Development, Singapore

dr. vivian balaKrisHnan alexander doWner

American journalist and anchor for MSNBC

Foreign Minister, Australia

Henry Ford II Professor of the Social Sciences, Harvard University

ezra f. vogel

Governor General of Australia

dr. Peter HollingWortH

Former Prime Minister of Malaysia

tun dr. maHatHir bin moHamad

2012 HARVARd CONfERENCE

Continuing its tradition of academic excellence, the Harvard Conference seeks to create a rigorous forum for dialogue and exchange. Held every February, the Harvard Conference will bring both international and Harvard students together for four days. Conference attendees will explore issues concerning the Asia region, through plenary sessions, panel sessions, seminars, and casestudies. Topics include foreign policy, public health, environmental issues, media, and entrepreneurship.

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2012 HARVARd CONfERENCE

Theme
cross-cultural connections: Weaving neW silK roads

In the past century, Asia has captivated the worlds attention with its ability to preserve ancient traditions while still adapting to modern times. In particular, rapid growth and development experienced in countries like China and India has changed international dynamics. As Asia becomes increasingly more influential, it faces new challenges and is confronted with new domestic and international issues. How will countries respond to issues such as North Koreas threat of nuclear proliferation or Pakistans global counter-terrorism efforts? Can Asian countries balance economic growth and environmentalism? What role should the media and entrepreneurs play in shaping the political and the economic landscape in these countries? By addressing these questions in a forum of open debate, the HPAIR 2012 Harvard Conference hopes to stimulate discussion concerning these significant questions. As Asian countries work towards building a vibrant future, delegates will use their own experiences to reflect on the past and assess the possibilities of the future. These evaluations define the next generation and will prove critical for success.

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HArvArD coNFErENcE HIgHLIgHTS

Located at Harvard More selective and interactive of the two HPAIR conferences 180 delegates selected from a highly rigorous application process 50 prominent speakers Case studies designed by experts for scintillating discussions and debates Negotiation skills workshop led by Harvard Law students Pre-Conference Tours, International Night, Gala Dinner and more

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HArvArD coNFErENcE PROgRAm

day 1
8:00 pm:
Opening Ceremony

day 3
9:30 to 11:00 am:
Plenary Session II (The Future of Asia: Moving Towards Economic Recovery and Stability)

9:30 pm:
Reception

11:30 am to 1:00 pm:

Panel Session II

day 2
9:30 to 11:00 am:
Plenary Session I (The Role of International Development in a Diverse Asia)

2:00 to 3:00 pm:

Seminar II

3:30 to 5:00 pm:

Case Study Session II (Interest Groups)

11:30 am to 1:00 pm:

Panel Session I

7:30 to 9:00 pm:

International Night

2:00 to 3:00 pm:

Seminar I

10:00 pm:
HPAIR Delegates Party

3:30 to 5:00 pm:

Case Study Session I (Introduction)

day 4
10:00 to 11:00 am:
Negotiation Skills & Leadership Workshop

11:30 am to 1:00 pm:

Panel Session III

2:00 to 3:00 pm:

Seminar III

3:30 to 5:00 pm:

Case Study Session III (Debate/Discussion)

7:30 to 9:00 pm:

Closing Gala Dinner

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PLENARy SESSIONS
Academic Plenary

HArvArD coNFErENcE

tHe role of international develoPment in a diverse asia

The diversity of situations found in Asia is fascinating, and sometimes even a little overwhelming. Within the same continent, there exist some of the fastest growing economies in the world, as well as some of the countries most ravaged by war. High standards of living coexist with severe social issues, including preventable diseases, illiteracy, environmental problems, and human trafficking. What challenges concern Asian countries the most, whether they provide funding for international development, receive it, or both? In this academic plenary session, we will discuss the Asian nations play in the field of international development, within their own continent and on a global scale as well. We will examine what Asian countries are doing and can do to close those gaps mentioned before and to hopefully become an even more prosperous region in the future.

Business Plenary

tHe future of asia: moving toWards economic recovery and stability after 2008
The 2008 World Financial Crisis, as its name suggests, created problems all over the globe, including in Asia. Multinational companies went bankrupt, unemployment has soared, and many governments have struggled to deal with the heavy burden that comes with an economy in ruins. In the business plenary session, rather than focus on analyzing the past, however, we will examine the present and take a look into the future. What are the countries of Asia, many of which were booming prior to the recession, doing to recover and find stability now? What policies have been implemented, and which have worked and which have not? What policies should be implemented now? By asking these questions and more, we wish to not only learn something about the worst global economic times of our generation, but gain a greater understanding of what the future holds for Asia, and how this will affect the post-2008 world.

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HArvArD coNFErENcE PANELS

Moderator: Eric Lonstein, Harvard Kennedy School and Harvard Business School

business and finance in tHe asian economies

The objective of this panel is to openly discuss the business and financial atmospheres of todays Asia, and what this means for tomorrows. We will consider a full range of factors that affect businesses in Asia, from the global financial markets to national business developments and culture to the innovation of private businesses. In keeping with the global aspect of the conference, we will examine these issues from an international standpoint, and ask broad questions that pertain to these in this respect. For example, how do companies get financed in a unfavorable debt environment? How are state-owned enterprises treated differently than private-owned enterprises? With these questions, we hope to foster effective discussion that addresses the key business concerns of Asia during a time of incredible changes.

Moderator: Stephanie Loo, Harvard School of Public Health

global HealtH frontiers in a modernizing asia

Health and disease are concepts that know no borders, be they cultural, political, or geographical. As an emerging global power, Asian nations simultaneously face unique challenges ranging from the glamorized yet oft-neglected tropical diseases of developing nations, problems of resource scarcity with an overburdened burgeoning population boom in China and South Asia, to the chronic diseases and mental health issues of highly developed metropolises and countries. Panel sessions are designed to give delegates insights into several of the many global health-related topics as applied within the Asian stratum. Of focus will be the spheres of mental health, health issues and needs in Asia-Pacific natural disasters and humanitarian crises, and infectious disease within the Asian region. Highlights include suicide and societal despair in Japan, health ramifications and responses of the recent SE Asian typhoons, and HIV/AIDS across the region.

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HArvArD coNFErENcE PANELS

Moderator: Eric Powell, Harvard Law School

international laW: its role in sHaPing societies and relationsHiPs on botH sides of tHe Pacific
How will law affect domestic development and the future of trans-pacific coordination? It reverberates through all aspects of US-Asian relations: domestically, it creates the backdrop in which governments and businesses operate, and internationally it can be a source of union or criticism. Academics, policymakers, and practitioners will help us explore these issues. The opening panel introduces the baseline question that scholars have grappled with for centuries: is there international law? The seminar then evaluates the international law of human rights, a source of consternation and industry dilemmas on both sides of the Pacific. The final panel evaluates the interplay of politics, the environment, and economics through the lens of a quintessentially international industry: transoceanic shipping.

media in tHe 21st century: bridging tHe asia-international gaP

Media since the turn of the millennium has become a central driving force of society. From simply comprising of newspapers and journals few decades ago, it now consists of the ever changing online media such as Facebook, Twitter and even journals and newspapers becoming more used online rather than on paper. Asia, with its unprecedented growth in the past decade, has used several media outlets to gain attention and support. We saw the news of earthquake and nuclear crisis in Japan spread within minutes of the events through media outlets. We see increasing popularity of Asian entertainment industry throughout the world. We saw the impact of media during recent North Korea / South Korea tensions. The panel will invite academics, journalists, business-leaders, and politicians to talk about how the media impacts Asian international relations. We will ask the role media has played in the rise of Asia to the international stage as well as ask how media can be used as a tool to promote a positive image of the developing countries in Asia. Then, we will look into the broad scope of media in Asia: its technological future, the need for media control, and case studies of its effectiveness in the past.

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HArvArD coNFErENcE PANELS

Moderator: Yuki Kondo-Shah, Harvard Kennedy School

security and diPlomacy in asia

President Obama has referred to the coming century as The Asian Century, placing Asia at the crux of the administrations foreign policy strategy. The first panel will explore how rising powers like China and India will balance or threaten U.S. interests. Also, Professor Joseph Nye has said, Those who deny the importance of soft power are like people who do not understand the power of seduction. People in the world face an increasing marketplace of choice when it comes to culture and values. The second panel on soft power will explore non-military influences that countries have, and the effective diplomatic currency that soft power holds. The final panel will explore the potential hot spots in the region, such as the South China Sea, North Korea, and India-Pakistan, along with the types of cooperation that can yield the successful de-escalation of conflict.

Moderator: Grace Chung, Harvard Kennedy School

social enterPrise in asia: breaKtHrougHs and cHallenges in frontier marKets

Social entrepreneurship is growing in popularity as the 21st century answer to complex international issues relating to poverty, security, and development. The current global environment is ripe for changemakers to tackle these widespread issues in Asia through corporate solutions, public-private partnerships, and innovative technologies. However, the Asian landscape also presents unique challenges including, but not limited to: institutional and cultural barriers to developing young entrepreneurs, the ongoing recession and weak global economy, and the murky relationships between businesses and governments. This panel will specifically look at three main aspects of social enterprise in Asia: (1) the role of businesses in international development; (2) opportunities to harness emerging technology and innovative thinking for social impact; and (3) the challenges to fostering local entrepreneurs in frontier Asian markets.

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HArvArD coNFErENcE SPECIAL EVENTS

Delegates will have the opportunity to explore the historical landmarks in Boston and tour the Harvard campus.

Pre-conference tours oPening ceremony

The Opening Ceremony features important Harvard officials, prominent leaders in academia, business, and other fields who will welcome the delegates to HPAIR and to Harvard.

Delegates showcase their musical, oratorical, artistic, and creative talents in cultural performances alongside Harvards student cultural groups.

international nigHt

The Closing Gala Dinner is a black-tie celebration for all conference participants and features important speakers delivering thoughtful speeches to summarize the conference.

gala dinner

The national US news services, as well as leading Harvard publications cover the conference.

media coverage

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SupporTiNG HPAIR
Sponsoring HPAIR has been rewarding for many companies and institutions, who benefit from:
Involvement in the largest annual Harvard event in Asia and the largest student event in the Asia-Pacific Region A chance to participate in a dynamic program bringing together the world leaders in politics, academia, business, development, and science The opportunity to promote products and services in a highly visible and widely respected forum Targeted recruitment: sponsors obtain direct access to students interested in working in Asia through participation in the conference and through a career fair

Past corPorate sPonsors

Daimler AG Samsung Google GE Goldman Sachs BCG Deloitte HP Microsoft Apple Japan Airlines Lufthansa Korean Air JP Morgan Proctor and Gamble The Asian Wall Street Journal CNN

Past institutional sPonsors

The Reischauer Institute for Japanese Studies The Fairbank Center for East Asian Research The Korea Institute The Harvard Asia Pacific Review The Korea Foundation The Korea Society The Lee Foundation The Harvard University Asia Center The SIFE Foundation

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boArD oF AdVISERS
ezra f. vogel
Chairman of the Board of Advisers, Henry Ford II Professor of the Social Sciences

rodericK macfarquHar
L.B. Williams Professor of History and Political Science, Chair of the Department of Government

ricHard n. cooPer
Maurits C. Boas Professor of International Economics

dWigHt H. PerKins
Harold Hitchings Burbank Professor of Political Economy, Director of the Asia Center

carter j. ecKert
Professor of Korean History, Director of the Korea Institute

susan j. PHarr
Edwin O. Reischauer Professor of Japanese Politics, Director of the US-Japan Program

andreW d. gordon
Lee and Juliet Folger Fund Professor of History

antHony j. saicH
Daewoo Professor of International Affairs, Director of Asia Programs, Kennedy School of Government

alastair iain joHnston

Governor James Albert Noe and Linda Noe Laine Professor of China in World Affairs

ricHard vietor
Senator John Heinz Professor of Environmental Management, Director of Asia Programs, Harvard Business School

William c. Kirby
Edith and Benjamin Geisinger Professor of History, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences

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orGANiziNG COmmITTEE
cHristina guo
Executive Director, Harvard Conference

micHelle Hu
Director of Marketing and Communications, Asia Conference

corPorate relations
Grace Gee Kelly Ren Kevin Jiang

jennifer zHu
Executive Director, Asia Conference

atasHa jordan
Co-Director of Corporate Relations

andreW gonzales
Chief Financial Officer

delegate relations
Ana Sofia Guerra Rodriguez

larmon luo
Co-Director of Corporate Relations

micHelle ran
Director of Operations, Harvard Conference

design
Dean Shu Jenny Liu Sophie Chang

doo young na
Director of Delegate Relations, Harvard Conference

cici cao
Director of Operations, Asia Conference

marissa mcgarry
Director of Conference Programming, Harvard Conference

xing lin
Director of Delegate Relations, Asia Conference

marKeting and relations

Connor Zwick Loretta Fan Soeren Kipker

Willy Hoang
Director of Conference Programming, Asia Conference

leandra barnes
Director of Outreach

oPerations
Benjamin Zhou Brian Truong Dean Shu Viroopa Volla

conference Programming
Eric Li Madeline Halimi Maria Barragan-Santana Scott Kim Shengxi Li Whan Lee

laWrence Wang
Director of Marketing and Communications, Harvard Conference

tecHnology
Jenny Liu Sophie Chang

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coNTAcT US
Harvard Conference Executive Director cguo@hpair.org tel (US) : +1 (815) 505 2733

cHristina guo

Asia Conference Executive Director jenniferzhu@hpair.org tel (US) : +1 (408) 903 3048

jennifer zHu

Director of Marketing and Communications, Harvard Conference lswang@hpair.org tel (US) : +1 (858) 353 4258

laWrence Wang

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Harvard Project for asian and international relations

www.hpair.org