Wednesday, 10 October 2012
(Seoul) Dr. Emanuel Pastreich, the Director of the Asia Institute, highlighted the concept of ‘courtesy(예의)’ in Korean history and its significance in modern Korean society during his presentation ‘Sun-bi and Courtesy: the Chivalry Spirit of Korea’ at the Forum on the Cultural Genes of Korea last Wednesday, October 10th which took place at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (HUFS). Hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Chosun Media and organized by the Korean Studies Advancement Center and HUFS, the forum was part of the Discovery and Expansion of Korea’s Cultural Genes Program which aims to success and proliferation of the traditional value of Korea.
The participants searched for historical tradition and cultural colors within modern Korean culture under the topic of ‘Noticeable Cultural Genes of Korea in 2012.’ The first session covered four of Korean cultural genes which included ‘dynamic(역동)’, ‘endurance(끈기)’, ‘courtesy(예의)’, ‘humor(해학)’. The second session dealt the topics of ‘taste(맛)’ and ‘excitement(흥)’ followed by the third session on ‘harmony(어울림)’, ‘affection(정)’, ‘naturalness(자연스러움)’ and ‘community(공동체: 우리)’.
The event was the launching of the series of Forum on Cultural Genes of Korea which will be held annually.
Pastreich Lecture on the future of Korean cities at JSB
August 30, 2012
Pastreich was invited to give a talk at JSB Incorporated, one of the most innovative companies in Seoul working on environmental design on August 30, 2012. Pastreich spoke at length with the CEO Choi Jaejung, a remarkable figure who is known for his love of art and the environment (both he and his wife are artists) and his open style of administration. Link
Pastreich talk on “Networked science” at the Asia Research Network’s summer seminar in Japan
August 26, 2012
Pastreich presented a paper on Michael Nielsen’s new book: “Reinventing Discovery: The New Era of Networked Science” at the second annual summer seminar for young Asian researchers of the Asia Research Network. Pastreich has worked with the Asia Research Network informally for the last two years.
The Asia Research Network grew out of the collaboration between Professor Hara Masahiko at Riken (and Tokyo Institute of Technology) and Professor Haewon Lee of Hanyang University on nano materials. Link
Pastreich Talk at KBS about the power of Korean Media
July 24, 2012
Director Pastreich gave a talk at KBS’s education center in Suwon on the topic of the Korean Wave and the future of KBS on July 24, 2012. The talk was intended for new employees of KBS and there were perhaps 150 young people, fresh out of college, who represent the future of Korean media.
The talk stressed the importance of Korean youth to take advantage of their remarkable cultural influence in the world to create a better future for us all. I gave examples of the impact that Korea can have in either a positive or negative manner, and drew attention to the great depth of the Korean cultural tradition, far beyond current K Pop, to inspire people around Asia and around the world to reach for something greater than consumerism and self-gratification.
“A Paradigm Shift for Science and Technology: Prospects for Administrative Regimes”
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Korean National Assembly
Pastreich delivered the keynote address at a seminar at the National Assembly of Korea entitled “A Paradigm Shift for Science and Technology: Prospects for Administrative Regimes” (과학기술패러다임의 변화와 행정 체제). The event was sponsored by the Korean Congressional Research Service, the Korea Federation of Women’s Science and Technology Associations KFWSTA and Korea Advanced Institute of Women in Science, Engineering and Technology. Link
Asia Institute Seminar “The Great Green Wall: Desertification, the Economy and Security in Northeast Asia”
June 28, 2012 –
Asia Institute Seminar
“The Great Green Wall: Desertification, the Economy and Security in Northeast Asia”
Thursday, June 28, 2012
6:30-7:30 PM
Speakers: Ambassador Byong Hyon Kwon (former Korean Ambassador to China; President of Future Forest Dr. Kwak Sang Soo (senior research Korea Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology)
Moderator:
Emanuel Pastreich, Director of Asia Institute
Desertification is emerging as a central security issue for the world, and specifically for Northeast Asia in the current age. Climate change resulting from a diverse set of human activities is changing the ecosystem of Northern China, leading to the spread of deserts with profound implications for the region and the world. As the yellow sands from Mongolia and Northern China reach all the way to the United States, we must rethink the threat posed to the world by the misuse of land and dangerous misconceptions about the economy.
This seminar highlights the achievements of Future Forest and the project known as the “Great Green Wall,” an innovative approach to stopping the spread of the Kubuchi desert in Northern China through a combination of tree planting, land fixation technology and education in sustainable land management for local people that has proven the skeptics wrong. The “Great Green Wall” is an example of innovation in governance, education, agriculture and technology worthy of emulation and benchmarking.
Asia Institute Seminar: “Storytelling, Social Networks & Social Change” with Annabel Park
May 03, 2012 –
Asia Institute Seminar “Storytelling, Social Networks & Social Change”
May 3, 2012
Annabel Park, Blogger and Activist and Founder of the Coffee Party led a lively discussion moderated by Professor Chip Pitts of Kyung Hee University and Stanford Law School in which she engaged both Koreans and internationals about the importance of creating powerful narratives as a means of bringing about meaningful social change.
The Asia Institute Seminar “The Past, Present and Future of Money” with Professor Marc Shell
April 27, 2012 – Professor Marc Shell’s Asia Institute seminar on Friday, April 27 on “The Past, Present and Future of Money drew a fascinating group of thoughtful individuals to GCS International for the Asia Institute Seminar. The talk itself was a rather involved consideration of the history of language and currency, and their interplay over the last three millennia. Details
Asia Institute Seminar about Contemporary Korea
April 15, 2012 – The Asia Institute held a small working seminar on contemporary issues in Korea with Charles Cho, Secretary General of Global Common Society, Annabel Park, film director, John Eperjesi, professor of English at Kyung Hee University, Jack Barton journalist and author, Lara Tosh, Director at Korea 4 Expats, and Emanuel Pastreich, director of the Asia Institute on April 15, 2012. The seminar focused on issues in education and included a detailed comparison of Singapore and Seoul.
Asia Institute Seminar: “Revisiting Nuclear Safety and Nuclear Security in North Korea”
March 28, 2012 – Stephane Mot published an article about the lively discussion at the Asia Institute seminar on North Korea’s nuclear program held on Thursday. He equates North Korea launching a missile to throwing a “dolsot” curling stone into the hottest point of contention between Korea and Japan. He went on to discuss other aspects of the issue of North Korea launching a satellite in his blog post.
Asia Institute on Korea’s Potential
February 18, 2012 – On Saturday, February 18, 2012, the Asia Institute hosted a seminar titled “Three Global Perspectives on Korea’s Potential in Research and Business” at the Paik Hae Young Gallery in Itaweon at 3pm. It was a discussion of Korea’s institutional strengths, and continuing challenges, led by three individuals with extensive experience working in Korea’s efforts to internationalize in both research and business. The focus of the seminar fell on which aspects of Korean practice and policy have been the most effective in propelling Korea to a new global role. Vince Rubino, Joel Momberger, and Heisook Lee briefly described their own perspectives and took questions from the audience, and Emanuel Pastreich moderated.
The Asia Institute Welcomes Ambassador Vishnu Parkash of India to Seoul
February 13, 2012 – The Asia Institute and the Indo-Korean Business and Policy Forum held a banquet in honor of India’s new ambassador to Korea, Mr. Vishnu Parkash on Monday, February 13, 2012. The event featured talks by President Pastreich and the president of the Dr. Lakhvinder Singh. Many dignitaries, including Mr. Jeong Sun Tae, Minister of Government Legislation, and Mr. Moon Kook-Hyun, president of the New Korea Party, attended the event held at the Lotte hotel in downtown Seoul. India is playing an increasingly important role in Northeast Asia, with profound implications for all the nations of the region. The talks focused on the positive implications of such developments and the potential for new solutions of old problems offered by the changes.
Lately, the Indo-Korean Business and Policy Forum has been very active in organizations, conferences, and seminars to promote India-Korea ties. With more than 800 articles published by its members, it also boasts having created the largest body of knowledge of India-Korea academic literature. Its monthly magazine, the Asia-Pacific Business and Technology Report, reaches more than 200,000 readers every month. The Forum has also helped numerous Indian and Korean scholars to complete their research programs and doctorates by providing high-quality reference materials.
Korean Organic Farming
January 27, 2012 – The Asia Institute released a report on the state of Korean organic farming, putting forward the idea of current organic farming methods as a forgotten treasure and a preservation of thousands of years of tradition. The report can be downloaded in the publications section of this site.
Pastreich to Deliver Talk on Future of the Research Institute January 27
January 17, 2012 – Director Pastreich will present a paper entitled “The Future of the Research Institute” on Friday, January 27 at 4:20pm at the Nano-Bio Convergence New Technology Research Center of Kyung Hee University. Please attend if you have the time.This pdf details directions and other information about the event in Korean.
Presentation at 21st Century Women Leaders Forum on Importance of Women for Future of Korea
January 11, 2012 – Director Pastreich presented his essay titled “The Importance of Women for the Future of Korea” at the 21st Century Women Leaders Forum hosted by Korea’s Federation of Women’s Science and Technology Assocation on January 11, 2012. He was invited by the chairman, Dr. Myungja Kim, who has served as the Minister of the Environment for Korea. Photos and the full text of the essay can be found at Director Pastreich’s personal blog,Circles and Squares.
Noam Chomsky Seminar Covered by Jung Ang Monthly
January 05, 2012 – The December issue of Jung Ang Monthly Magazine (월간중앙) featured an extended article on the Asia Institute’s recent webinar with Professor Noam Chomsky of MIT. The article is 15 pages long. An English translation will be coming soon.
How Artists can Add to a Research Institute
January 05, 2012 – Director Pastreich published a Korean-language article detailing his ideas on how a research institute could incorporate artists into its campus in order to foster creativity and innovation. The article excerpt can be downloaded here.
