Members of the East-West Center's Board of Governors have elected international development economist Puongpun Sananikone to serve as the board's new chairman. At a meeting today, the board named Sananikone to succeed Roland Lagareta, who became the board's vice-chairman.
Originally from Laos, new board Chairman Sananikone was an East-West Center participant as an economics student in the mid-1960s, soon after the Center was established, and he credits the Center's cross-cultural environment with shaping both his personal life and his career as an international development economist and business executive who has worked on every continent.
"Becoming an East-West Center grantee forever altered the course of my life," Sananikone said. "Not only did I meet and marry my wife Thanhlo at the Center, but I also began building the basis of a life and career that have been inextricably intertwined with the educational and cross-cultural learning opportunities I had while I was there."
Sananikone is the first East-West Center alumnus to be elected chairman. Larry Foster, president of the Center's alumni association, said that the alumni "are of course delighted and proud at having our first fellow alumnus to serve as chairman of the Board of Governors, but we also know that Puongpun was selected on the basis of the many other strengths he brings to the position." Among those strengths, Foster said, is Sananikone's "extraordinary network of contacts throughout the region, which we expect will bring great benefit to the Center."
Sananikone said he believes the elements of the East-West Center community are currently working very well together, and his primary goal as chair will be to help build the Center's long-term financial stability.
"The Center is an outstanding example of a public-private partnership, " he said. "Congressional funding has been remarkably reliable over the years, but we have a relatively small endowment, so I believe it is important to diversify and expand our funding base."
To that end, Sananikone said, he is looking forward to working with Center President Charles E. Morrison and his staff, along with "the private sector and the Center's many alumni and friends around the world to ensure long-term stability through creative fundraising. "
For the complete news release please click here.
Puongpun Sananikone speaking at the Board of Governors meeting
Announcing the 50th Anniversary International Alumni Conference
In 2010, the East-West Center will mark 50 years of working to promote understanding and cooperation in the Asia Pacific region, including the United States. This golden anniversary year is an opportunity both to celebrate the accomplishments of the Center's first 50 years and to look forward to addressing the needs and challenges of the Asia Pacific community today and in the years to come.
One of the premier events of the 50th anniversary celebration will be the EWC/ EWCA International Conference 2010 in Honolulu from July 1 to 5, hosted by the East-West Center and the East-West Center Association.The conference theme is "Leadership and Community Building in the Asia Pacific Region."
Since it is being held in Hawai'i - the crossroads of the Pacific and the home of the East-West Center - the conference will also provide an opportunity for the EWC community to "return to the source" to renew old friendships and make new ones. We hope you will start making plans soon to join us!
For more information on the 2010 conference, please see click here.
No comments:
Post a Comment