Speakers:
The Honorable Edgard Kagan, U.S. Ambassador to Malaysia
The Honorable Marc E. Knapper, U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam
The Honorable Heather Roach Variava, U.S. Ambassador to Laos
Moderators:
Lien-Hang T. Nguyen, Dorothy Borg Chair in the History of the United States and East Asia, Director of the Weatherhead East Asian Institute, Columbia University
Ann Marie Murphy, Adjunct Senior Research Scholar; Professor and Director, Center for Foreign Policy Studies, School of Diplomacy and International Relations, Seton Hall University
This engaging dialogue, hosted by the Weatherhead East Asia Institute at Columbia University, aims to bring together U.S. Ambassadors from Vietnam, Malaysia, and Laos, along with students, faculty, staff, and members of the local Southeast Asian communities, to discuss and explore the multifaceted diplomatic relationships between the U.S. and ASEAN. The engagement will provide a platform for an open conversation on the impacts of these ties, the shared challenges and opportunities, and how educational and cultural exchanges can further strengthen bilateral relations. Through this interaction, participants will gain deeper insights into the strategic importance of ASEAN-U.S. relations and the potential for future collaboration across various sectors, enhancing mutual understanding and fostering a community of shared interests.
Background: In the vibrant landscape of international education and cultural exchange, the connections between the United States and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are more significant than ever. Notably, almost 50,000 students from ASEAN member states enrich U.S. campuses with their perspectives, contributing to a rich tapestry of international dialogue. Furthermore, travel and tourism statistics from 2022 highlight the deepening of people-to-people ties, with nearly 578,000 visitors from ASEAN countries to the U.S. and almost 1.8 million Americans exploring the diverse cultures of ASEAN. Additionally, the vibrant Asian American community, with more than one-third of the estimated 24 million identifying with ASEAN ethnicities, underscores these regions' profound connections.
