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ASIA SOCIETY PROGRAMMING LOOKS BEHIND THE HEADLINES 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 last fall announced a major program initiative, America's Crisis: Asian Perspectives. Since then, the Asia Society has been working 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. Most of the events are being held at the Asia Society, located at 725 Park Avenue.
"The Asia Society launched America's Crisis: Asian Perspectives to address the needs of American audiences for balanced and reliable information to help them comprehend world events in a broader context," said Robert W. Radtke, Vice President for Policy and Business Programs. "The overwhelming public response to these programs during the fall and winter has demonstrated their timeliness and relevance."
The centerpiece of this spring's programming is a powerful photography exhibition, Through Afghan Eyes: A Culture in Conflict, 1987-1992, consisting of 75 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 on view at the Asia Society and Museum, March 19 through August 11, 2002, and is being presented in collaboration with Williams College and the Afghan Media Resource Center in Peshawar, Pakistan. A number of related programs-including a film series and musical performances-have been organized to coincide with the exhibition (see program listing for details on these and other America's Crisis programs).
Through a new luncheon series, After the World Trade Center: The Impact on Asia and the International Business Community, the Asia Society has been providing a forum for international business leaders to assess the impact of September 11 on the global economic environment. In addition to this economic series, a number of programs will explore the political ramifications of September 11, and will address the complex relationship between religion and politics in Islamic societies. The Asia Society is also offering programs exploring women and Islam, and issues of concern to Asian American Muslims.
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 the Schools. The Commission-convened by the Asia Society and composed of leading education, public policy, and business professionals- issued a report in June 2001 calling on the nation's educators to make learning about Asia and other parts of the world a national priority.
To help provide teaching ideas that will aid teachers in placing current events in broader historical context, the Asia Society and The American Forum for Global Education are conducting Islam and the World: A Course for Teachers, a special five-session course taught by scholars and master teachers at Asia Society beginning in February. Topics include Central Asia: Geography, History, Trade and Politics; Islam: Belief System and History; and Teaching about Perceptions and Representations. Each class includes a lecture by an expert and a workshop on teaching applications. Aimed at middle and high school teachers, the course includes readings and classroom resources. The Society has also developed related materials for its K-12 website, www.AskAsia.org, that including a collection of background essays and other resources.
In addition to K-12 educational efforts, the Society is planning public education programs aimed at addressing domestic concerns about cultural tolerance. Programs will explore issues of home and belonging, identity and faith among Asian Americans, in light of September 11. The latest information on these and other Asia Society events 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.org), which details the widespread reaction in Asia to September 11, and provides extensive background on the important issues, regions and players involved.
The web report, America's Crisis: Asian Perspectives, includes sections on Afghanistan's humanitarian crisis and economic challenges, economic repercussions in Asia, and hate crimes in the United States, 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 interviews with and specially commissioned articles by experts on Afghanistan. Video clips of recent Asia Society America's Crisis programs are also posted.
America's Crisis: Asian Perspectives is sponsored by Citigroup. Major support for programs in the America's Crisis series is also provided by the Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art, The Rockefeller Foundation and the W.L.S. Spencer Foundation.
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.
Details on America's Crisis programs may be found in the program listing below. Members of the press interested in attending any of these events should contact the Public Relations Department at (202) 327-9271.
AMERICA'S CRISIS: ASIAN PERSPECTIVES
PROGRAM LISTING
Asia Society and Museum
725 Park Avenue (at 70th Street)
Reconstructing Afghanistan: Priorities and Challenges
Scholars, NGOs, representatives from the U.S. government and the business community discuss the role of humanitarian aid, strategies to build infrastructure and ways to generate economic development. Speakers include Nicola Cunningham Armacost, Women's World Banking; T. Kumar, Amnesty International USA; Nancy Lubin, JNA Associates, Inc.; Gerald Martone, International Rescue Committee, New York; and Letitia Butler, U.S. Agency for International Development. Presented in conjunction with the Asia Society release of its most recent Asian Update Afghanistan's Reform Agenda: Four Perspectives with Marvin Weinbaum, Frederick Starr, Sima Simar and Mohammed Ehsan Zia. An Asian Social Issues Program.
Tuesday, March 19, at 6:30 p.m.
Jihad: The Rise of Militant Islam in Central Asia
Meet the Author: Ahmed Rashid
Thursday, March 21, at 8:00 a.m.
NGO Response to the War on Terrorism
Panel discussion addressing how NGOs have responded to the crisis in the larger context of aid from governments and international donor agencies. Panelists will look at what the new focus on the "war on terrorism" means for human rights, democracy and social justice issues in the rest of the developing world. Keynote address by Julia Taft, Assistant Secretary General and Director of Bureau of Crisis Prevention and Recovery, UNDP. Panelists include: Philippe Leveque, CARE France and William Keh, Taiwan Buddhist Tzu-Chi Foundation.
Tuesday, March 26, at 6:30 p.m.
Beyond Bamiyan: Will the World Be Ready Next Time?
In light of the destruction of the 1500-year-old Buddha statues in Bamiyan, Afghanistan, a distinguished panel of experts will examine the roots of the current cultural patrimony debates, successful policies on the protection of cultural properties, and the next steps to be taken by the global community when future problems arise regarding cultural heritage.
Panelists include Mounir Bouchenaki, UNESCO; James Cuno, Harvard University Art Museums; Philippe de Montebello, The Metropolitan Museum of Art; Derek Gillman, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts; Paul Bucherer, Afghanistan Institute, Switzerland; and Satoshi Yamato, Agency for Cultural Affairs, Japan. Program moderated by Barbara Crossette, The New York Times with Bonnie Burnham, World Monuments Fund, discussant. Cosponsored by World Monuments Fund. This progam is made possible with generous support from the Hazen Polsky Foundation.
Wednesday, April 3, at 6:00 p.m.
After the World Trade Center business luncheon series
William J. McDonough, President of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
Thursday, April 4, at 12:00 p.m.
The September 11 Attacks: Whom Do The Terrorists Represent?
Panel discussion on this and related issues, including what the U.S. and its allies may justifiably do in response. Liza Anderson, School of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University moderates this panel discussion with Karl F. Inderfurth, former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs; Simon Henderson, energy consultant; and Saeed Shafqat, Columbia University.
Thursday, April 4, at 6:30 p.m.
Woman, Muslim, American
Roundtable discussion on how Muslim women negotiate and are enriched by their religious beliefs at a time when Islam is greatly misunderstood in the United States. Speakers include Aisha H.L.al-Adawiya, Women in Islam; Daisy Khan, Asma Society; Asma Gull Hasan, author of American Muslims: The New Generation.
Thursday, April 11, at 6:30 p.m.
Pictures from an Occupation: Afghanistan, the United States and the Media
Lecture by David B. Edwards, co-curator of the exhibition, Through Afghan Eyes.
Tuesday, April 23, at 6:30 p.m.
Razbar: Sacred Music and Dance of Western Iran
Dedicated to upholding the music and dance traditions of the Ahl-e Jaqq, a mystical order dating back to the 15th century, the Razbar Ensemble performs sacred music and dance of western Iran.
Sunday, May 5, at 8:00 p.m. Pre-performance lecture at 6:30 p.m
Quraishi and Friends: Music of Afghanistan
Quraishi, a renowned musician dedicated to preserving and interpreting the music of Afghanistan, is a master of the rabab (short-necked lute). His music has been performed throughout the world and his repertoire consists of both traditional music and newly composed pieces based on the culture of Afghanistan.
Friday, May 10, at 8:00 p.m.
Heritage Lost, Islam, Art and Afghanistan
Lecture by Holly Edwards, co-curator of Through Afghan Eyes and professor of Islamic Art History at Williams College.
Tuesday, May 14, at 6:30 p.m.
A People Apart: Films About Afghanistan
Jung (War): In the Land of the Mujaheddin
(Fabrizio Lazzaretti & Alberto Vendemmiati/2000/114 min.)
Thursday, April 25, at 7:00 p.m.
Kandahar
(Mohsen Makhamalbaf/2001/85 min.) In Farsi, with English subtitles.
Thursday, May 2, at 7:00 p.m.
Djomeh
Hassan Yektapanah/2000/94 min. In Farsi, with English subtitles.
Thursday, May 16, at 7:00 p.m.
Securing the Homeland: Civil Liberties and the War on Terrorism
The panel discussion will focus on America's war on terrorism and the drive to increase homeland security. The panelists will address the new "USA Patriot Act" (October 2001) and its implications for structures of justice, national standards of fairness and decency, established laws that protect individual rights and the notion of the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. The program will also look at civil rights issues for members of immigrant communities from South Asia and the Middle East. Finally, the speakers will respond to policies on national security, like secret military tribunals and detainment, and debate the issues that put dissent and freedoms for foreign-born residents at stake.
Wednesday, May 22, at 6:30 p.m.
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