The Southeast Asia Forum bridges the gap between the academic and policy communities in the U.S. and abroad. Through events, social media platforms and professional development resources, the Forum provides a physical and digital convening space for students, faculty, and researchers studying Southeast Asia. As an intermediary between these groups, the Forum is instrumental in developing and conducting programs to bring students, faculty and researchers together with U.S. and foreign government officials, NGO experts and private sector leaders to increase exposure and future cooperation.
The Southeast Asia Forum includes the following discussion groups and commentary series, coordinated with partner organizations:
- Ambassador’s Corner: Commentaries on studying Southeast Asia written by ASEAN countries’ ambassadors in the U.S. and U.S. ambassadors to ASEAN member states and ASEAN headquarters.
- Philippines Roundtable: The premier forum in the U.S. for discussion of Philippine affairs and U.S.-Philippine relations; conducted in partnership with the U.S.-Philippine Society.
- Burma Study Group: Informal group of students, faculty and think tank researchers specializing in Burma/Myanmar affairs and relations with the U.S.
- Frederick Z. Brown Indochina Roundtable: Informal group of students, faculty and think tank researchers specializing in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia; named after retired U.S. diplomat, SAIS faculty member, and noted commentator on Indochina affairs and U.S. relations with Indochina countries.
- Indonesia Discussion Group: Informal group of students, faculty and think tank researchers specializing on Indonesia affairs and U.S.-Indonesia relations; conducted in partnership with the U.S.-Indonesia Society.
Events
Southeast Asia Studies
Ambassadors Corner
Commentary
Cambodia’s Chance: Chairing ASEAN in 2022
Amb. W. Patrick Murphy
Commentary
H.E. Jose Manuel G. Romualdez
Research & Writing
Resource
Resources for students interested in the study of Southeast Asian politics, economics, history, language, and culture
Commentary
The Paris Peace Agreements helped end conflict in Cambodia, and their contribution to peace and development should be recognized on the national calendar.
Courtney Weatherby
Report
The Paris Peace Agreements brought an end to protracted conflict in Cambodia thirty years ago, and this report reviews their relevance today
Sothirak Pou
• Bradley Murg
• Charadine Pich...
Commentary
As 2022 ASEAN Chair, Cambodia has an opportunity to promote meaningful dialogue on key issues for ASEAN and the Indo-Pacific
Amb. W. Patrick Murphy
Commentary
Contributions of more than four million Filipino-Americans to the progress and security of the United States should be reflected in the policy sphere
H.E. Jose Manuel G. Romualdez
Resource
A starting point for students of Southeast Asia who are looking for relevant internships to complement their studies
Project Partners & Activities
Partner Organizations
- US – ASEAN Business Council Institute, Inc.
- US – Indonesia Society (USINDO)
- US – Philippines Society
- Johns Hopkins-SAIS Southeast Asia League of Students (SEALS)
Discussion Groups and Commentary Series
- Ambassador’s Corner: Commentaries on studying Southeast Asia written by ASEAN countries’ ambassadors in the U.S. and U.S. ambassadors to ASEAN member states and ASEAN headquarters.
- Philippines Roundtable: The premier forum in the U.S. for discussion of Philippine affairs and U.S.-Philippine relations; conducted in partnership with the U.S.-Philippine Society.
- Burma Study Group: Informal group of students, faculty and think tank researchers specializing in Burma/Myanmar affairs and relations with the U.S.
- Frederick Z. Brown Indochina Roundtable: Informal group of students, faculty and think tank researchers specializing in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia; named after retired U.S. diplomat, SAIS faculty member, and noted commentator on Indochina affairs and U.S. relations with Indochina countries.
- Indonesia Discussion Group: Informal group of students, faculty and think tank researchers specializing on Indonesia affairs and U.S.-Indonesia relations; conducted in partnership with the U.S.-Indonesia Society.
Advisory Council
- Alice Ba, Professor, Department of Political Science & International Relations, University of Delaware
- Robert O. Blake, Jr., McLarty Associates, Former U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia
- Piper Campbell, Director of the ASEAN Studies Initiative and Hurst Senior Professorial Lecturer, School of International Service, American University; former Head of U.S. Mission to ASEAN and U.S. Ambassador to Mongolia
- Joseph R. Donovan, Jr., Former U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia
- Cinnamon Dornsife, Senior Advisor to the Dean and Director, Foreign Policy Institute, Johns Hopkins – SAIS; Former U.S. Ambassador to the Asian Development Bank
- Elizabeth Dugan, Vice President, US-ASEAN Business Council, Inc.; and President, US-ASEAN Business Council Institute, Inc.
- Alexander Feldman, President, Boeing Southeast Asia
- Christina Fink, Professor of the Practice of International Affairs, Elliot School of International Affairs, George Washington University
- Hank Hendrickson, Executive Director, US-Philippines Society
- Henry Howard, Founding Member of the Board of Directors, US-Philippines Society and President, US Education Finance Corp.
- Karl D. Jackson, Starr Distinguished Professor of Southeast Asia Studies, School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University
- Satu Limaye, Vice President, East-West Center and Director, EWC in Washington
- Scot Marciel, Senior Advisor, BowerGroupAsia and Oksenberg-Rohlen Fellow, Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, Stanford University; former U.S. Ambassador to Burma/Myanmar, Indonesia and ASEAN
- David Merrill, President, US-Indonesia Society
- Meredith Miller, Principal, Albright-Stonebridge Group
- Erin Murphy, Senior Fellow and Deputy Director, Economics Program, Center for Strategic and International Studies
- Vikram Nehru, Distinguished Practitioner-in-Residence, Johns Hopkins – SAIS
- JJ Ong, Vice President, Federal Government Relations & International Affairs, Freeport McMoRan Inc.
- Ted Osius, President and CEO, US-ASEAN Business Council, Inc.; former U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam
- Janet Steele, Professor of Media and Public Affairs and International Affairs, Director, Institute for Public Diplomacy & Global Communication, George Washington University
- Meredith Weiss, Professor, Chair of Political Science, Director of Semester in Washington, Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy, State University of New York at Albany