Building an Asia-Pacific community

During Dan's visit the Bangladesh Chapter hosted a EWC Alumni Evening on 26 April, 2005 and had fruitful open discussion and question-answer sessions. The EWCA Bangladesh Chapter intends to create a database of the alumni. The Bangladesh Chapter needs and expects the support from the alumni so that it can develop into a Chapter that excels all others. The EWCA South Asia Chapters have scheduled a Regional Conference at the Habitat Center New Delhi in November 16 -18, 2005. The theme of the Conference is 'Building a South Asia Community in a Global Context'. Bangladesh Chapter has taken on the responsibility of organising panels on Gender Issues and Demographic Transition in South Asia.

In 1977 I got an East West Centre grant as a degree participant to do my post-graduate degree at the University of Hawaii (UH). 'The East-West Centre was established through an act of the United States Congress in 1960 to "promote better relations and understanding between the United States and the nations of Asia and the Pacific through cooperative study, training and research". To support this mission, the Centre's programmes focus around specific institutional goals -- to assist in creating an Asia Pacific community in which the United States is a natural, valued, and leading partner. Research, dialogue, educational activities and public outreach incorporate both the Centre's mission and the programmatic focus of building an Asia Pacific Community'.

The aim of the Centre is to strengthen relations in the region through 'Cultural and Technical Interchange' and it is a national and regional resource for information and analyses on Asia and the Pacific. It is a meeting ground of people with a wide range of perspectives and views. The EWC is a public, non-profit national and regional research and education institution. It is run by an international Board of Governors funded by the US government in addition to support from private agencies, individuals and corporations, and a number of governments in Asia and the Pacific. The Centre is an internationally recognised education and research organisation promoting a stable, peaceful and prosperous Asia Pacific community. Since its establishment more than 50,000 people have participated in Centre programmes.

The Center's 21 acres site is in Honolulu, adjacent to the UH campus. The Burns Hall with conference facilities is the centre for administration and research; Hale Manoa, Hale Kuhini and Lincoln's Hall are residential halls for participants; and Jefferson Hall with meeting rooms, a large conference room accommodates the cafeteria, students lounge and many seminars and conferences. Jefferson Hall was the centre for social interaction among the participants. It was the venue for the yearly event, the International Fair, where participants and the Hawaiian community learnt about other cultures and people. Unfortunately this is no more. The Jefferson Hall is now a private facility that the Centre may use on payment.

On the East-West Road (occasionally closed to vehicular traffic) of the UH and the Centre, Jefferson Hall and Kennedy Theatre stand facing each other. When I saw the Jefferson Hall for the first time, I was amazed at its architectural beauty, elegance and serene landscaped setting. The large cantilevered first floor gives the building its grandeur and the wide terrace on the back overlooks a picturesque Japanese garden gradually merging into the Manoa Stream and the mountain beyond. The garden is visible from the residential halls, Hale Kuhini and Hale Manoa. I still remember with nostalgia the "home away from home", many friends and the activities we shared, the plumeria (frangipani) groves on the campus and mild fragrance of its flowers, the adventure of collecting mangoes, the picnics and outings and the hiking trip to Kauai so strenuous yet enjoyable.

At the University of Hawaii, in both the Department of Architecture and the Department of Planning I came in touch with a few very competent personalities not only as teachers, but as human beings as well. I bear a deep sense of admiration for them. I recall with gratitude their contribution in developing my career and an understanding of other people. The University of Hawaii provided me the knowledge and the confidence to meet future obstacles with professionalism and competence.

What better location can there be than the Hawaiian Islands for the EWC, the 'Centre for Cultural and Technical Interchange between East and West? Indeed an appropriate place, midway in the Pacific Ocean for the East to have a dialogue with the West! Let us contribute to the establishment of a stable, peaceful and prosperous Asia Pacific Community; let us come together on the occasion of EWC Day.

Khaleda Rashid is Professor, Department of Architecture, BUET