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ASIA SOCIETY ANNOUNCES EXTENSIVE NEW PROGRAMMING IN THE WAKE OF SEPTEMBER 11, 2001
In the wake of the tragic events of September 11, 2001, and in response to the
growing need on the part of the American public for reliable
information about Afghanistan and the surrounding regions, the
Asia Society announces a major program initiative, America’s
Crisis: Asian Perspectives. Over the next several months
and on an ongoing basis, the Asia Society will work to promote
understanding behind the headlines and beyond the stereotypes,
by presenting informative programs aimed at serving the needs
of diverse audiences, from corporate leaders, to K-12 students
and educators, to the public at large.
Programming includes public briefings, exhibitions, cultural programs, publications, educational materials and web resources, and involves the Society’s network of regional centers, program collaborators, and Asian American community partners. Several of the events are being held at the new Asia Society and Museum, located at 725 Park Avenue, which opens to the public on November 17, 2001 after a comprehensive redesign and renovation. The new design has doubled the Society’s public and gallery areas, significantly improving conference, education, and performance facilities.
The latest information on Asia Society events, including special new programming, is available on the organization’s award-winning family of websites, accessible through www.AsiaSociety.org. In addition, the Society has developed a major, web-based resource, currently available on AsiaSource (www.AsiaSource.com), which details the widespread reaction in Asia to September 11, and provides extensive background on the important issues, regions and players involved. AsiaSource has experienced a dramatic increase in traffic since the addition of this extensive resource in September.
The web report, America’s Crisis: Asian Perspectives,
includes sections on Afghanistan, hate crimes in the United
States, economic repercussions in Asia and Islam in Asia, as
well as links to helpful maps and other online special reports
and photo essays. In addition, a list of experts on Central
Asia is posted, as well as two exclusive interviews with experts
on Afghanistan: Barnett Rubin (New York University) examines
the conditions under which the Soviets invaded Afghanistan in
1979 and the origins of the Taliban; and Ali Asani (Harvard
University) explores Islam’s sectarian differences, and how
these differences are manifest throughout Asia. Special features
including maps, reports and more exclusive interviews, will
continually be added.
To broaden understanding of Asia’s dynamic political and business environment, the Asia Society’s Policy and Business Programs Division regularly organizes timely and insightful programs throughout the U.S. and Asia. Through a new luncheon series, After the World Trade Center: The Impact on Asia and the International Business Community, the Asia Society is providing a forum for international business leaders to assess the impact of September 11 on the global economic environment.
The Asia Society is also expanding programs that explore Islam and its spiritual dimensions. A special lecture by Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, Unveiling Islam: Faith and Understanding, will be held on Tuesday, November 27, at 6:30 p.m., at the Asia Society, 725 Park Avenue. A highly popular lecturer and president of the American Sufi Muslim Association, Imam Feisal will discuss the common precepts of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, and will engage the audience in a dialogue that examines recent tragic events through Muslim eyes. In addition, the Asia Society is joining with the Center for Religious Inquiry at St. Bartholomew’s Church, to sponsor two 4-session courses on Islam that will be taught by Imam Feisal.
The Society is developing a series of programs that explore the spread of Islam throughout Asia, with particular emphasis on the cultural adaptations of Islam. A panel discussion on Islam in Northeast and Southeast Asia will bring together three prominent experts, at the Asia Society, on November 29, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Photojournalist Steve Raymer, of the School of Journalism at Indiana University, will discuss his new book, Living Faith: Inside the Muslim World of Southeast Asia. Karim Raslan, who will be on a Fulbright fellowship at Columbia University, will address Islam and freedom of expression in Southeast Asia, while Morris Rossabi of Columbia University will give perspectives on Islam in China.
The events of September 11 have heightened awareness of American’s disproportionate lack of knowledge about Asia, underscoring recent findings of the National Commission on Asia in Schools. The Commission-convened by the Asia Society and composed of leading education, public policy, and business professionals- issued a report in June calling on the nation’s educators to make learning about Asia and other parts of the world a national priority. The Asia Society will bring together educators for A Roundtable on Teaching About Asia, to look at the importance of teaching about Asia in light of September 11. Free curriculum kits will be available at the event, which will conclude with a reception, held at the Asia Society’s headquarters on Wednesday, November 7, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.
The Society has also developed special materials for its K-12 website, www.AskAsia.org, that includes a collection of background essays and other resources to support teaching and learning about the countries affected by the September 11 terrorist attack on the United States. Materials include information about Islam, statistics on and histories of Afghanistan and Pakistan and activities to build tolerance at home.
In addition to K-12 educational efforts, the Society is planning public education programs aimed at addressing domestic concerns about cultural tolerance. Programs under development will promote awareness of daily life as well as artistic, religious and musical traditions in South and Central Asia. Programs will also explore issues of home and belonging, identity and faith among Asian Americans, in light of September 11. In addition, a special panel will address racial profiling of Asian American Muslims, and their relationships to other ethnic minorities in the United States.
Next spring, the Asia Society will present a powerful photography exhibition, in collaboration with Williams College, Through Afghan Eyes: A Visual Journey of a Community in Conflict, 1987-1995, consisting of 60 photographs and selected videos, taken by Afghans in remote regions of the country, that document the last days of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, the resulting civil war and how the country fell apart in the post Cold War era. This exhibition will be presented at the Asia Society and Museum, March 19 to August 11, 2002, in conjunction with the Afghan Media Resource Center in Peshawar, Pakistan.
“The Asia Society is launching America’s Crisis: Asian Perspectives to address the needs of American audiences for balanced and reliable information that will help them comprehend world events in a broader context,” said Robert W. Radtke, Vice President for Policy and Business Programs. “As the nation’s leading institution dedicated to enhancing public understanding of Asia, the Society is well positioned to provide the programmatic range, scope and expertise required to reach a broad national audience.”
The Asia Society is America's leading institution dedicated to fostering understanding of Asia and communication between Americans and the peoples of Asia and the Pacific. Through art exhibitions and performances, films, lectures, seminars and conferences, the Asia Society presents the uniqueness and diversity of Asia to the American people. Founded in 1956 by John D. Rockefeller 3rd as a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, the Society reaches audiences worldwide through its headquarters in New York; regional centers in Los Angeles, Hong Kong, Houston, Washington, D.C., and Melbourne, Australia; and representative offices in San Francisco, Shanghai and Manila. The Asia Society is supported by contributions from foundations, corporations, and individuals who believe in the mandate of the Society: to build bridges of understanding between Americans and Asians. The Asia Society is on the World Wide Web (www.asiasociety.org).
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