Puongpun Sananikone studied at the University of Hawaii and the East-West Center in the mid-1960s; today he is the first alumnus to serve as chairman of the Center's Board of Governors. The international economist, who is from Laos, and his wife, Thanhlo Sananikone of Vietnam, donate money and volunteer their time to the center—which they view as a lifelong commitment—in an effort to give back to the organization that altered their lives.

“;The educational opportunity that my wife and I had through the East-West Center really has been life-transforming for both of us,”; Sananikone said. “;In particular, the cross-cultural living opportunities that we had ... really have impacted positively the way we look at the world, and have equipped us to understand better and work more effectively with people of diverse cultures and nationalities.”;

Half a century after its inception, the East-West Center is more relevant than ever. Since Congress formed the public diplomacy institution in 1960, nearly 60,000 students, scholars, journalists and political, civic and business leaders have participated in cooperative research and leadership and educational programs to enhance relationships and promote cooperation between the people and countries of Asia, the Pacific and the United States.

The East-West Center will launch a yearlong 50th-anniversary celebration Saturday with a gala fundraising dinner. Most of the proceeds will go toward scholarships and programs, but some will be delegated to infrastructure maintenance for what East-West Center President Charles Morrison described as “;a wonderful facility that is 50 years old.”; Congressional funds for these improvements are available only if matched. Beyond raising the necessary capital, the purpose of the dinner is to increase the center's visibility and “;give back to the community,”; Morrison said.

ALTHOUGH THE East-West Center is a national institution separate from the University of Hawaii, the state undoubtedly has benefited from its presence. The center brings in about $35 million to $40 million per year in federal money and employs about 200 people on its 21-acre Honolulu campus and in Washington, D.C.

Hawaii residents also can participate in seminars and conferences open to the public, and the center “;definitely adds to the image of Hawaii as an Asia Pacific Center; it's an important feather in the cap of the state,”; said Morrison, who earned his Ph.D. in Southeast Asian international relations from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, and is the author or editor of seven books.

The impact of the East-West Center is difficult to quantify yet permeates a variety of areas. Its exchange programs and global conferences educate students and journalists, foster relationships and understanding between cultures, and attract people with a broad knowledge base to Hawaii.

“;In the 1960s and 1970s, the real emphasis was 'getting to know you,'”; said Morrison. “;Now the emphasis is on working together on big regional and global issues, such as pandemics.”;

Morrison pointed out that the recent climate change conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, illuminated the importance of cultural knowledge in negotiations around global affairs. A consensus can never be achieved without understanding “;how problems are looked at through different lenses,”; he said. This is one reason the East-West Center has started playing a larger role in briefing the U.S. Pacific Command, for example.

“;Events in the world are bringing countries closer together,”; added Morrison. “;The challenges are even greater now. We need people who really understand the region.”;

Sananikone agreed: “;The world has become more complex and more globalized, and people with cross-cultural communication skills and living experience are better equipped to look at issues from the regional and global perspective. These are skills that are important if we are to build a peaceful and prosperous world.

“;If we seek to build a community of nations ... these are the kinds of citizens we want to train and educate, people who can look at issues from different perspectives and not just from their own narrow viewpoints.”;