Monday, April 30, 2012

New SOO - Desk Officer Job Posting for SAIC

SOO - Desk Officer Job

Date: Apr 26, 2012
Location: Reston, VA, US
SOO - Desk Officer (Job Number:208188)

Description:

A particular business unit inside the Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance Group within SAIC is currently seeking a Special Operations Officer(S00) - Desk Officer to support a customer in Northern Virginia. This position requires an ACTIVE TS/SCI WITH POLYGRAPH. Candidates without this clearance will not be considered. DESIRED SKILLS: Certified SOOs with substantive experience on specific regional areas or a discipline such as counterterrorism or counterintelligence. Overseas PCS or TDY intelligence collection and reporting experience. Familiarity with IC collection requirements and reporting thresholds for regional issues. Fluency in a language desired. Primary responsibilities of the SOO position include:
- Manage a full range of operational and support activities for overseas missions
- Serve as the primary point of contact for an overseas office and/or a volume of ongoing cases
- Provide operational guidance for ongoing cases, ensuring any CI issues are identify to protect the client’s personnel and facilities overseas
- Design particular classified activities, laying out recommendations, pros/cons of next operational steps
- Coordinate legal and policy issues affecting cases and overseas offices
- Provide in-depth research on existing cases, and intelligence assessments using all-source reporting and raw traffic
- Required to provide annual briefings on cases to a panel of senior customer officials, identifying potential issues on cases
- Possess the ability to work well as part of a team including staff, multiple contractors, and detailees from other U.S. national security organizations
- Ability to plan and organize independently, and exercise good operational judgment
- Strong written and oral communication, organization, and interpersonal skills are required, as well as ability to pose creative solutions to operational challenges

Qualifications:

EDUCATION: BA or BS; or 7 years of practical experience in intelligence, intelligence analysis, East Asia (EA) regional expertise, counterintelligence (CI), and/or information operations (IO). REQUIRED SKILLS: Qualified candidates must have at least 5 years of experience in human intelligence (HUMINT) operations and intelligence reporting. Candidates must be familiar with cable and IC report writing styles and USG classified databases. Strong briefing and writing skills are a must as well as the ability to work well with teams or individually with minimal supervision. DESIRED SKILS: Certified SOOs with substantive experience on EA foreign military systems, technology, and advanced technical issues. Overseas PCS or TDY intelligence collection and reporting experience. Familiarity with IC collection requirements and reporting thresholds for EA regional issues. Fluency in an EA language desired.

SAIC Overview:

SAIC is a FORTUNE 500® scientific, engineering, and technology applications company that uses its deep domain knowledge to solve problems of vital importance to the nation and the world, in national security, energy and the environment, critical infrastructure, and health. The company's approximately 41,000 employees serve customers in the U.S. Department of Defense, the intelligence community, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, other U.S. Government civil agencies and selected commercial markets. Headquartered in McLean, Va., SAIC had annual revenues of $11.1 billion for its fiscal year ended January 31, 2011. For more information, visit www.saic.com. SAIC: From Science to Solutions®

Job Posting: Mar 26, 2012, 3:28:23 PM
Primary Location: United States-VA-RESTON

Clearance Level Must Currently Possess: Top Secret/SCI with Polygraph
Clearance Level Must Be Able to Obtain: None
Potential for Teleworking: No
Travel: None
Shift: Day Job
Schedule: Full-time

Nearest Major Market: Washington DC
Job Segments: Engineer, Engineering, Government, Homeland Security, Military Intelligence, Research, Security, Security Clearance, Top Secret Clearance, TS / 


Friday, April 27, 2012

GW Students Participate in Global Exchange with the National University of Singapore

Below is a story from GW's Geography Department's Newsletter, which highlights six GW students' exchange program in Singapore over the Spring 2011 semester. Please see the link below for this post's original source. http://departments.columbian.gwu.edu/geography/sites/default/files/u11/Fall2011Newsletter.pdf

Six George Washington University (GW) undergraduate students engaged in a semester-long global exchange with their peers from the National University of Singapore (NUS). The six GW students “went global” by enrolling in Professor Joe Dymond’s Geography 3198: Singapore: National Image and Identity for the spring 2011 semester.

The Singapore-focused Geography course was part of the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Scholars in Globalization program. The program encourages GW students to work together with a peer group from the University Scholars Program at NUS to further their understanding of the connections and relations between the United States and Singapore AND to understand and compare the global influence and global roles played by each country. Professor Lo Mun Hou of the NUS - University Scholars Program - led the Singaporean cohort which also consisted of 6 undergraduate students.

The two student groups were quickly “linked” through video conferencing and blogging. The NUS students and Professor Lo visited GWU in February of 2011. Events during their visit included guided and interpreted tours of the National Mall, Anacostia, U-Street corridor, a meeting with the Executive Director of Cultural Tourism D.C., and a special surprise “behind the scenes” video and talk at renowned D.C. eatery - Ben’s Chili Bowl.

The GW student’s semester of reading and discussing dozens of peer-reviewed journal articles and establishing the framework for individual Singapore-based field research projects culminated in a two week trip to Singapore! Professor Lo and his undergraduate student team planned and hosted an amazing cultural and global experience for their GW guests. Numerous talks from NUS scholars, award-winning documentary film directors, and Singaporean government officials enabled the GW students to garner both an academic and pragmatic appreciation of life in Singapore, and the role Singapore plays in a globally-connected world, in ways unattainable through normalized international travel.

Professor Dymond, and GW’s Geography Department Chair, Professor Elizabeth Chacko, led additional excursions for the GW students to neighboring Indonesia and Malaysia.

GW sophomore and Geography major, Susie Charlop, said of the journey “Singapore was one of the most important experiences of my life. Not only did it take me across the world to see a place and culture fundamentally different from the U.S., it gave me the opportunity to learn and explore with Singaporean students and professors. Engaging in academic dialogue, but also discussing issues relevant to our daily lives was one of the best parts of the experience. Additionally, the places we had the opportunity to see were incredible. One of my favorite places was Pulau Ubin, a tiny fishing island just off the coast of Singapore, where we rented bikes and explored the island's nature. Additionally, I loved going to Indonesia and Malaysia. Even though both were only weekend trips, it was an incredible experience to move outside of Singapore and develop a better understanding of its regional context.”

Anita Davidson, GW junior and Geography major contributed “I truly enjoyed my experience in the global scholars program. Beyond the obvious benefits of making lifelong friends from the other side of the world, conducting my own research in the actual location I was studying, talking to the experts who wrote the articles and papers that I used for my paper, and getting to experience a new and rich culture, I also had the opportunity to learn more about my city. While organizing events for the Singaporean students' visit to DC I had the unique chance to get to explore and learn about Washington D.C. on a much more intimate basis. Another added advantage to this course is that, being a geography major, I was able to form relationships with many of my professors that go beyond the classroom. I now have a dream to create an authentic and relatively representative Singaporean restaurant in partnership with one of the students from the exchange. Who knows if it will happen, but the fact that this program gave me the chance to look beyond the semester's grades is rather remarkable.”

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Research Associate, India, Pakistan, South Asia for Council of Foreign Relations

The Council’s Studies Program is one of the country’s largest foreign policy think tanks with a widely respected and influential research staff. The Studies Program’s aim is to advance the discussion of American foreign policy and international affairs through its writing, publications, public outreach, and discussions.

The Research Associate will work under the direction of the Senior Fellow for India, Pakistan, and South Asia and focus on tracking and analyzing political, economic and security dynamics throughout the region. The Research Associate will also focus on U.S. diplomatic, assistance and military/intelligence policies, with a special emphasis on Pakistan, Afghanistan, and India.

The major responsibilities of this position will include (but are not limited to):

Researching specific areas as requested by the Fellow.

Assisting with the drafting, proofreading and editing of articles, book chapters, and other written material, under the direction of the Fellow.

Tracking news and data sources on issues related to U.S. foreign policy and national security interests in South Asia.

Providing administrative support to the Fellow, including answering telephones, handling correspondence, filing, and responding to requests for information.

Coordinating events, including arranging mailings, preparing invitations, making travel arrangements, scheduling, corresponding with speakers, helping to prepare background papers and materials for distribution, and providing other logistical support.

Managing budgets, including preparing budgets and tracking monthly statements, monitoring grant information and writing reports and requests, creating and updating Excel spreadsheets, and preparing vouchers for reimbursement.

Assisting fellow with social media outreach, including publishing a blog, website, video, and/or using social media applications such as Twitter, Google+, etc., as needed
LOCATION
Washington
District of Columbia
United States
POSITION TYPE
Employment, Full-time Position, Entry Level Position, Paid Position
QUALIFICATIONS
BA degree in International Relations or a related field, with superior academic achievement; demonstrated interest and academic background in South Asia and security studies required, with a particular focus on Pakistan. Masters preferred.
1+ years related administrative and/or internship experience.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Outstanding research, proofreading, and editing skills.
Strong organizational skills and keen attention to detail.
Proficiency in MS Word, Excel and Email, including advanced functions such as mail merge.
Qualified candidates should email, fax, or mail a resume and cover letter to the Human Resources department at the below contact information. PLEASE INCLUDE THE POSITION NAME IN THE SUBJECT OF YOUR EMAIL. The Council on Foreign Relations is an equal opportunity employer and actively seeks candidates from a diverse background.
  1. By Email: humanresources@cfr.org (Preferred method)
  2. By Fax: +1-212-434-9893
  3. By Mail: Council on Foreign Relations
    Human Resources Department
    58 East 68th Street 
    New York, NY 10065


Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Tim Quinn Reflects on New Opportunities in Chinese Study

Read about Tim Quinn's experiences in his Chinese Study and be sure to catch a video performance of him by clicking on the first picture or here


By Tim Quinn
Quinn is a senior at GW's Columbian College of Arts and Sciences. A Chinese minor, Quinn won first place in the 2011 Chinese Bridge Speech Contest at the Washington Regional Preliminaries, and also won first place in the 2011 Jiangsu Cup Chinese Speech Contest held at GW

After studying abroad in China during my junior year, I was really worried about coming back to GW and not having many opportunities to continue using my Chinese. The Chinese Department here at GW, however, proved that fear to be entirely unfounded. Immediately upon my return, I was encouraged to participate in The Chinese Bridge Competition – an annual competition hosted by University of Maryland’s Confucius Institute. With the help and guidance of one of the department’s most talented faculty, Professor Xiaoning Cheng, I was able to take first place at the competition. This past November, I participated in another competition, The Jiangsu Cup Speech Competition hosted at GW in cooperation with Nanjing University. Again, with hard work and the guidance of GW’s excellent Chinese faculty, I was able to succeed in obtaining a gold medal at the competition – a prize that comes with a full ride scholarship to do a Masters degree at Nanjing University.

Little did I know, however, there was a famous local director in the audience that afternoon. Luqun Zhao has directed The Greater Washington Area Chinese New Year Gala (大华府地区春节晚会)for several years now. This is a show that is put on every year at the Strathmore Music Hall in order to celebrate the Chinese New Year. In China, these types of shows are typical during the lunar New Year season and it is tradition that people all over China watch them when celebrating the lunar New Year – the most important holiday for Chinese people. China Central Television even puts on a New Year’s show that is televised all over the country. In the U.S., The Greater Washington Area Chinese New Year’s show is among the most famous in the country. Chinese-Americans from all over the east coast come here every year just for this event.
         
In the month after Ms. Zhao saw me at the competition here at GW, she contacted me and invited me to dinner. Over dinner, she introduced me to Qun Zhang, a ‘Xiangsheng’ artist who has performed both in China and in the U.S. He has consistently performed at the Chinese New Year festival here in DC and was looking for an American actor to perform alongside him during this year’s festival. I was both honored and thrilled at this opportunity to perform alongside a man of such talent.

Working with Mr. Zhang was a remarkable experience. He is not a teacher of the Chinese language, but rather a performer, artist, and comedian. This being so, I had the unique opportunity to advance my knowledge of a specific art form that is still extremely popular in China today. “Xiangsheng” is generally translated in English as “cross talk”, however this translation says little about what it really is. In many ways, it is similar to standup comedy, but only with two people. Xiangsheng performances tend to be characterized by thick accents and word play (Click on the photo on the left to get a video clip of the performance.). The first time I read the script he had written, so much of it went over my head. I understood the words, but the jokes consisted of puns as well as references to events and persons of cultural significance. In performing with Mr. Zhang, I was forced to explore the deeper meaning and cultural significance behind these references – a lesson that has reminded me that mastery of any language demands a consistent and relentless effort to understand its respective culture and history.
           
On the night of the performance, I was informed that over 900 tickets had been sold. Backstage I was introduced to famous Opera singers, actors, martial artists, dancers, and musicians. The one emcee of the event was even a recognizable CCTV (China Central Television) personality, while the other was GW’s very own Caleb Dependahl. Caleb is a senior in the Elliott School (double majoring in Chinese) who I have had the pleasure of working with both here in DC as well as in China. As a student who walked into CHIN001 at GW only about 3 years ago, the thought of walking onto a stage and speaking Mandarin in front of an audience of nearly a thousand Chinese and Chinese Americans was enough to put more than a couple butterflies in my stomach. Yet when the time came, I simply went out there and gave it my all. Watching Caleb go on stage first to introduce me also helped settle my nerves.
           
The audience was incredibly receptive and I got to meet many of the audience members after the show. While all the jokes had been explained to me and I had come to understand their context, I honestly didn’t anticipate much laughter. To be truthful, I didn’t really think they were that funny to begin with. Yet throughout the performance, there were multiple times when I was forced to pause because the laughter from the audience was too loud for me to deliver my next line! With all the laughs and applause, I found it hard to resist the temptation to break character and simply laugh along with them.
           
This experience has been but one of a series of great experiences I have had since my return from China. I never imagined when I first started studying Chinese at GW that I would be elevated and encouraged to use my Chinese in such a capacity. Since coming to GW and studying Chinese within this department, I have come to discover that by learning a new language I can interact with and have an impact on new communities that I never even knew existed. Sitting in Professor Miaochun Wei’s intermediate level class my sophomore year, I never imagined that I would spend the following summer in Ningxia Autonomous Region working in ethnic Hui schools.  Sitting in my dorm room in Guthridge making flashcards every week in order to prepare for dictation exercises, I never thought that the following year I would be on a stage performing ‘xiangsheng’ alongside an accredited Chinese performer in a concert hall. As a freshman registering for Chin001, I never thought that four years later I would be offered such an amazing opportunity to do graduate work at a prestigious Chinese university. Needless to say, my experience studying Chinese here at GW and working with the department’s outstanding faculty has been immensely rewarding. If I can offer any other language learners a piece of advice it would be this: always remind yourself why you decided to learn the language by getting out there and using it. Use your target language to meet new people and do new things – you never know what sort of opportunities it might open up!


Thanks to GW Department of East Asian Language and Literature and its Newsletter

Twenty GW Students and Faculty Join Twenty Professional Performers from Japan Participating in a Spectacular Daidengaku Dance. (With Videos)


The dance was part of the festivities commemorating the 100th anniversary of the first gifts of cherry blossom trees by Japan to the US. On March 28, the GW community had a special treat to a taste of Japan at the Hand Chapel on the Mount Vernon campus through a memorable performance of Daidengaku—an ancient, lost art and dance tradition of Japan originating from rice-planting festivities, which was revived recently by a Kyogen master, Mannojo Nomura (1959-2004). Our Japanese faculty, Mitsuyo Sato and Rika Seya, and students of Japanese, Joseph CooperRachel CrawfordMarjory HaraguchiStewart Pagan,  Monica PerezEun Hye SinErika Videtto, and and other GW students, Mai Hayano, Kazu Koyama, danced together with professional performers led by Manzo Nomura, Mannojo’s grandson who has been designated as a bearer of an Intangible Cultural Heritage, and joined by a famous actress Keiko Matsuzaka. The exuberance and enthusiasm of the performers beautifully adorned in authentic costumes and makeup were contagious, and the audience was carried away in a joyful and colorful journey.  Hamano Shoko sensei, in an opening remark, observed the significance of rice in the Japanese culture, and briefly described the pre-performance workshop and practice the performers had gone through. Rachel Crawford, a student in the second-year Japanese, who participated in the performance, commented on her entire involvement as follows:

“The best thing about the workshop on Tuesday was hearing about the history of not only daidengaku but the other dances (such as kabuki) that developed out of it, and how they influenced each other. It was a story of a history of dances spanning hundreds of years.

The best thing about the performance on Wednesday was wearing the traditional garb for the dance. It brought us closer to the history of the dance and was an experience that most of us will not have the opportunity to do again. Dressing in traditional garb for the performance made us feel like we really accomplished something during the workshop.

I was surprised how much of the workshop we were able to accomplish while speaking only in Japanese. It was a great way for me to practice my language skills while learning something cultural and fun.

I told my family a little about the history and the type of dance it was, that it was an active dance that was supposed to be joyful and thankful. The mentality made the dance a lot of fun to perform."

Professor Hamano added, "the mentality" the student mentioned refers to the explanation offered by the staff that it is more important to bring out the spirit/energy than to focus on dance steps because the whole idea is to enjoy the experience.”

You can see the whole performance by looking at the five-part video taken by Professor Takae Tsujioka: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5

News Channel 9 carried the event under the title, "Japanese Folk Dance Has Modern Appeal With Locals And Students."

Special thanks to the members of the Japanese Language and Literature Program and the Language Center staff for their leadership role in this significant event. Read more.

Source: GW Department of East Asian Language and Literature Newsletter

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Shakespeare in China BBC Podcast

Alexander Huang, Associate Professor of English, Theatre, East Asian Languages and Literatures, and International Affairs and affiliate faculty with the GW Sigur Center for Asian Studies, made two guest appearances on BBC World Services. In the two radio programs he discussed Shakespeare and globalization in the context of the upcoming London Olympics.


BBC The Strand: Shakespeare Special   (51 minutes), podcast available here:

BBC The Strand: Alex Huang on Shakespeare (18 minutes), podcast available here:


Monday, April 23, 2012

Communications Manager Position Open at Brookings-Tsinghua Center

Responsible for the development and implementation of communications and media strategy for the Brookings-Tsinghua Center (BTC).

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

60% Development and Implementation of Media and Communications Strategy
  • Develop targeted communications and branding strategies tailored to specific groups including policymakers, the media, foundations, universities, and think tanks; identify opportunities to increase the program’s impact and visibility through identifying target audiences, working with relevant scholars and staff, and adapting materials and publications to formats readily usable by each target audience.
  • Liaise with editors and correspondents and maintain strong relationships with the Chinese media and China-based foreign policy reporters; seek opportunities to engage them in events and to interest them in work done by BTC scholars; organize press conferences as needed; arrange media interviews and appearances; distribute research and commentary by Brookings scholars to various media outlets.
  • Coordinate media relations efforts with Brookings and Tsinghua University.
  • Seek and develop opportunities to partner with media on events and publications.
  • Assist with or manage organization of major public forums or video conferencing events including: identifying speakers and topics; coordinating panels and participants; drafting correspondence and press releases; and engaging media interest.
  • Comprehensively monitor press coverage of BTC and its scholars to maintain a full press file.
  • Keep abreast of current events and help to identify opportunities for scholars to develop op-eds, policy briefs, letters to the editor, etc.
  • Coordinate overall digital media strategy and expand web presence; manage BTC website presence to ensure website is updated accurately and includes upcoming events, testimony, op-eds, monographs, analysis papers, and other related materials; contribute to and develop strategies to promote policy-driven products on the site, suitable for media reporting and editorial placement.
  • Proofread materials in Chinese and English and review translations to ensure quality and appropriateness.
  • Draft and compile web materials related to timely issues for online publication on the website and/or dissemination through social media.
  • Edit high quality academic papers authored by Brookings fellows in both English and Chinese; supervise production (layout, proofreading, editing, design, translation) for publications such as reports, analysis papers, and policy briefs.
  • Supervise reprinting and translation of publications into Chinese or English.
  • Develop strategies to promote and track production of BTC publications with scholars and relevant Brookings staff; track production schedules.

40% Targeted Communications and Outreach
  • Develop marketing materials, event announcements, media memos and press releases, fact sheets, and other press materials; adapt materials and publications to formats that can be readily used by various target audiences; manage the design, production, and distribution of all branded items and marketing materials.
  • Manage all BTC official correspondence, including drafting, editing, or translating as needed.
  • Develop targeted communications strategy for potential donors and assist with the cultivation and stewardship of existing and prospective donors; assist with writing of solicitation letters or proposals; edit and polish concept papers and proposals drafted by scholars to ensure quality, readability, and adherence to funder guidelines, interests, and programs.
  • Manage outreach databases; oversee a master calendar of events.
LOCATION
Beijing
Non-U.S.
China
POSITION TYPE
Employment, Full-time Position, Paid Position
Applicants should send a cover letter and resume to:

Attn: Center Manager
Brookings-Tsinghua Center
Email: BTCJobs@brookings.edu
Applications Accepted Until:
Apr 30, 2012

Friday, April 20, 2012

Program Manager Position with Cultural Vistas' Japan Program Now Open!

Job Title: Program Manager (Japan) - MD


Cultural Vistas (formerly AIPT-CDS) is a non-profit organization and designated sponsor of Exchange Visitor Programs committed to providing international exchange opportunities that strengthen global networks, enhance professional skills, and advance mutual understanding in an interconnected world.

Since 1950, Cultural Vistas has facilitated professional exchange programs and services for visitors coming to the United States, and Americans seeking overseas experiential learning opportunities.


Position Summary

Cultural Vistas is seeking a self-motivated Program Manager to oversee a newly designed professional exchange program with Japan. Understanding of both American and Japanese business and education cultures is strongly desired. This individual must be proficient in speaking, reading, and writing in Japanese.


Responsibilities

•Understanding and executing policy as a Alternative Responsible Officer (ARO) as it relates to the J-1 visa and organizational standards.
•Communicate with and between stakeholders in Japan. This includes the U.S. Department of State, U.S. host companies, ESL partners, in-house support departments, and student participants to ensure consistency and clarity among all parties.

•Create, produce and implement plan to develop customer service standards for the program. This will include developing innovative solutions for day-to-day processing and management the program now and in the future.

•Provide guidance, advice and support to students on an ongoing basis, including assisting with interview preparation. Candidate should have patience and the ability to communicate effectively with university students.

•Provide leadership among staff to secure internship placements for students, including vetting new host companies. Work with existing staff to support efforts and manage placement logistics.

•Consult with our marketing department in the creation of website, marketing materials and forms.

•Attend pre-departure Orientation students in Japan and at ESL sites in the United States. Be available to meet as needed with U.S. and Japanese stakeholders at locations of their choosing. Be available to conduct site visits of U.S. host companies as required.

•Oversee the application process from data entry to completion of program.

•Maintain oversight of the application and placement process to ensure a smooth processing of the program.

•Provide a clear program message and manage participant expectations, internally and externally.

•Arbitrate issues between students and language providers, as well as host companies.

•Domestic and international travel required.

•Work on weekends, holidays, and evenings may be required.



Desired Skills & Qualifications



•At least 3-5 years of international business or program management experience; prior management experience is preferred.

•Demonstrated ability to speak and write in Japanese proficiently

•Bachelor’s Degree within International Studies, Business, Education or related field

•Demonstrated ability in financial management including projecting & reporting statistics, admin & program revenue and expenses. Comparing actual to budgeted; managing program activities and making dept decision based on adhering to budget.

•Professional demeanor; ability to interface with senior business and government officials; administer programs within regulatory guidelines.

•Excellent written and oral communication skills

•Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite applications (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel)

•Demonstrated strategic thinking and problem solving abilities.

•Exceptional customer service orientation.

•Strong organizational, planning and project management skills

•Self starter with initiative, ability to work independently and manage multiple projects

•Must be U.S. citizen

Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume to: opportunities@culturalvistas.org.

























Wednesday, April 18, 2012

New Service Learning Opportunity in China!

“Think Global, Act Local”

2012 US-China International Youth Festival (2nd IYF)

July 1-29, Xian & Beijing, China

3-Day Youth Summit…to tackle global issues with elite peers and high-profile experts
3-Week Service Learning…to gain hands-on experience in influencing Chinese young minds
2-Day Xian Tour and 1-Day Beijing Tour…to immerse in an ancient and modern Chinese culture and scenery

Full-package Grant up to $2,000

To get an Early-Bird Registration Rate (Before April 30)

APPLY NOW! at eactus.com

The grants will be allocated on a first-come-first-serve basis.


Additional background information about the IYF:

The first US-China International Youth Festival (IYF) was held between July 12, 2011 and August 6, 2011 in China. IYF was initiated and hosted by Education Association for China Tomorrow (EACT), one US 501 (C) (3) non-profit organization. Through the Global Development Youth Summit, volunteer teaching, and cultural immersion programs, IYF provided an excellent platform for youths from all over the world to exchange ideas and perspectives on mutual understanding, self-improvement, youth entrepreneurship and career development, climate and environmental sustainability issues, and the realization of the Eight Millennium Development Goals of the United Nations.

The first IYF was officially included in "UN’s International Year of Youth" (From August 12, 2010 to August 11, 2011) which gained plenty supports from related governmental agencies as well as a good number of organizations and individuals from US, China and many other countries. Participating parties include US Embassy in Beijing, World Bank, World Health Organization, UN-Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UN-Volunteer, Dream Corps International, Civic Concepts International, and several renowned universities and institutions. Other supporting organizations are US Department of State-“100,000 Strong Initiative”, American Congressmen, the State governments of Washington D.C., Maryland and Virginia, Chinese Embassy in the United States- Department of Education, International Monetary Fund, top-ranked universities like Harvard, Yale and Cornell, and many overseas Chinese groups.

For more information:

Visit IYF web page: eactus.com/2012-us-china-international-youth-festival/
Follow “EACT” on Facebook

Or, contact:

Amanda Ding
Program Manager
Education Association for China Tomorrow
10411 Motor City Drive, Bethesda, MD 20817
Phone: (240) 395-1376, Fax: (240) 395-2347
Email:amanda.ding@eactus.com

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

New Graduate Internship at the U.S. Treasury Department

Fall 2012
Office of International Affairs, U.S. Treasury Department

The Office of South and Southeast Asia at the United States Department of the Treasury is seeking interns for the fall semester of 2012. The intern will work with the desk economists, the deputy director, and the director on a variety of issues, including macroeconomic, financial, and development issues in South and Southeast Asia. Although the internship is unpaid, successful candidates will have the opportunity to contribute substantively to the formation of U.S. international economic policy toward the region.

Potential internship activities include:

• Supporting the South and Southeast Asia team in preparing policy briefs for senior officials;
• Assisting Treasury economists in policy work involving regional economies, including Pakistan, India, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Burma, and Vietnam.
• Conducting research and analysis on the most relevant macroeconomic and financial sector issues affecting South and Southeast Asia;
• Supporting Treasury’s work with regional organizations, such as APEC and ASEAN;
• Reviewing policy proposals from the International Financial Institutions, including the IMF, the World Bank, and the Asian Development Bank, and helping guide U.S. engagement on regional issues in these institutions;
• Interacting with other offices in Treasury and throughout the U.S. government on issues pertaining to the region.

Candidates must have a solid academic and/or professional background in macroeconomics and financial economics. Candidates should also have: strong quantitative, research, organizational, spreadsheet, and communication skills; the ability to synthesize large amounts of information and present this information to policymakers in a concise and cogent form; excellent writing skills; the ability to meet tight deadlines; and the capacity to work independently and as part of a team. Specific regional knowledge is helpful, but not essential.

The internship is part time for the fall. We ask for a minimum 20 hour/week commitment over a 12 week period. The intern will be expected to begin work no later than early September.

Candidates should submit a resume, a brief statement of interest, and a short writing sample on an economic topic by June 1, 2012 to:

Atticus Weller
Deputy Director, Office of Southeast Asia
U.S. Treasury Department
atticus.weller@treasury.gov

Please copy Trina Rand at trina.rand@treasury.gov

Friday, April 13, 2012

Job Opportunity: Dormitory Supervisor at Keio Academy's US-Japan Summer Cultural Experience

POSITION: SUMMER PROGRAM DORMITORY SUPERVISOR

Keio Academy of New York is now hiring Dormitory Supervisors to workin our Summer Program, US-JAPAN SUMMER CULTURAL EXPERIENCE 2012. The positions are for the girls' dormitories. Board and food will beprovided.Term of employment will be between July 20th, 2012 and Sunday, August 5th, 2012. This includes a training period, preparation, andpost-program wrap-up.

For more information, please contact us at: Keio Summer Program Administrative Office 3 College RoadPurchase, NY 10577www.keio.eduTel: 914-701-3454

Application: Send a cover letter written in English and a resume (MUST includecontact information of at least one reference) to Keio Academy SummerProgram Office at keiosummer@keio.edu by Monday, April 30, 2012. You must write “Summer Program Dorm Supervisor” in the subject line of thee-mail. All documents must be in PDF file format.

Visit our website ( http://www.keio.edu/english/summerprograms ) to learn more about the program. For questions, send e-mail to KeioAcademy Summer Program Administrative Office at keiosummer@keio.edu Any application without “Summer Program Dorm Supervisor” written on the subject line, missing a cover letter or reference information, or not in the proper format will not be considered.

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Summer Chinese Language Study in Oregon

Substantial scholarships are still available for this summer’s Intensive Chinese course at Portland State University (Oregon).

Dates: June 25 – August 10, 2012.
Credits: 4 Credits

Scholarships:
Substantial tuition aid is available through the ALLEX Foundation. Support from ALLEX will bring tuition for out-of-state students to $749, equal to Oregon residents. In addition, with resident and non-residents can expect substantial additional financial support worth several hundred dollars. Please contact Eriko Akamatsu at allexoffice@allex.org for more information.

Estimated Tuition before Scholarships:
Oregon Residents: $749 (Scholarships available.)
Non-Residents: $2,066 (Scholarships available.)

Details: http://www.allex.org/programs/summerchinese/

Program Overview:
This program is designed to train students to speak and listen to Mandarin Chinese, and to introduce students to reading and writing the language. At the end of the course students will be expected to perform in all four skills—speaking, listening, reading and writing—at a basic level of proficiency. Students will not only learn to speak the language; they will also develop an understanding of Chinese interpersonal behavior. The ultimate goal is to teach students not just to speak Chinese, but to function successfully in Chinese culture using Mandarin—to present yourself as an intelligent person in Chinese culture using the Chinese language. Students will learn to speak and perform correctly in a variety of social situations. In each setting students will learn how to perform in the Chinese language in a culturally appropriate way

Faculty:
Haohsiang Liao, (Director) Ohio State University
Cornelius Kubler, Williams College
Yongfang Zhang, Wufford College
Wan-Chen Chen, Ohio State University

Details: http://www.allex.org/programs/summerchinese/

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Harvard Project for Asian and International Relations Summer Conference

The Harvard Project for Asian and International Relations (HPAIR) is a partnership between the students and faculty of Harvard University, offering a sustained academic program and a forum of exchange to facilitate discussion of the most important economic, political, and social issues relevant to the Asia-Pacific region. HPAIR's international conference has emerged as the largest annual Harvard event in Asia and the largest annual student conference in the Asia-Pacific region, attracting a wide variety of distinguished speakers and future leaders as Harvard's student outpost in Asia. Past speakers at our conferences include South Korean President Kim Young Sam, Governor General of Australia Peter Hollingworth, Singapore President S.R. Nathan and Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.

The conference this year, co-hosted by National Chengchi University, will be held on August 24-28th, 2012 in Taipei, Taiwan. The theme will be "Challenges and Prospects: Envisioning Global Transformations". Our panels will focus on the following seven topics:

  • Defining Private: Public Partnerships in Energy and Environment
  • Entrepreneurship in Asia: Rising Tigers at the Edge of Innovation?
  • The Intersection of Business, Finance, and Government in Asian Economies
  • Frontiers in Health and Human Rights
  • Asian Attitudes Towards Democracy in International Law
  • Shifting Poles: Transition and Security
  • Asian Ascendancy: Media in the Age of Globalization

The HPAIR Conference extends invitation to all students in college level and beyond. Please go to http://www.hpair.org/ to apply.

Should there be any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Jenny Hsu by phone +886-989-374-709, or by email aconf-help@hpair.org

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

How About a Free Trip to Korea?



Screening of "Cotton for My Shroud" at Georgetown University

A farmer commits suicide every half hour in India. In 2009 alone, close to 18,000 farmers took their own lives. Digest and reflect on that number for a minute. This is social genocide.
Vidarbha, famous for growing cotton, has been particularly hard hit by this crisis. Mounting and unmanageable rural indebtedness is the enduring reality in much of Vidarbha. Behind this reality lies a complex mixture of socioeconomic phenomena. global trade policies, aggressive seed corporations, poor development policy and poor technical support.
A most unlikely story is now unfolding, to turn around the human, social, and economic decay of Vidabha.

Recently, an aeronautics engineer, Balasaheb Darade, returned to India from the US, to work for the villages of Vidarbha. He has successfully run for local office and has developed a unique project to create 100 sustainable villages in his township.
We invite you to attend the screening of the award-winning docuentary, “Cotton for My Shroud,” chronicling the lives of three famers and examining the complex causes through a macro-perspective. The screening will be followed by
When? April 12th, 2012, 7-8.30 pm

Where? Leonard Room (Room 133), Reynolds Hall, Georgetown University

For ticketing, donations and further information please visit: http://stopfarmersuicides.eventbrite.com/


All proceeds from this fundraising project will go towards supporting Balasaheb's project for sustainable village development. All donations are tax exempt and handled through the International Association for Human Values (IAHV), a 501(c)(3) organization.

Monday, April 9, 2012

New Internship Available!

The National Democratic Institute (NDI) is seeking recent undergraduates and master's candidates to work in Washington, DC as a full-time intern to assist with the Institute's Asia programs.

Duties:
* Provide administrative and logistical support on assigned country projects, including filing, faxing, copying, and mailings;
* Assist the Asia team in organizing and implementing democracy development programs;
* Research and gather materials for country-specific programs;
* Assist in the preparation and drafting of periodical reports;
* Assist in tracking program expenditures;
* Support the activities of assigned field offices;
* Collect and distribute foreign and domestic newspaper, magazine, and/or academic articles pertaining to Asian program affairs;
* Attend meetings and seminars on Asian affairs and prepare oral and written presentations to Asia team members;
* Complete special projects as needed;
* Additional responsibilities based on demonstrated ability could include: proposal drafting and editing, program development, and donor relations

This is a paid internship. Interns are encouraged to attend workshops, lectures and other staff development events at NDI. We are currently recruiting for applicants available immediately. Only those applicants under consideration will be contacted.

All applicants for internships must possess work authorization which does not require employer sponsorship.
LOCATION
District of Columbia
POSITION TYPE
Internship, Full-time Position, Paid Position
QUALIFICATIONS
* Recent graduate or master's student; relevant degree programs might include, but are not limited to: political science, international relations, international development, and Asian studies; master's degree preferred;
* Must be highly knowledgeable of and interested inAsia;
* Must have excellent writing and editing skills;
* Must be well-organized and skilled at prioritizing and managing multiple tasks;
* Financial management skills are highly desirable;
* Must be flexible, diligent, and team-oriented;
* Proficient in any Asian language (desirable but not required)

To apply, please click here.


Thursday, April 5, 2012

New Research Scholarship Available!



The China Times Cultural Foundation announces fellowships for doctoral dissertation research in Chinese studies, 2012
Applicants must be doctoral candidates in humanities or the social sciences with an approved dissertation prospectus. Enrollment in a university in the United States or Canada required.
Scholarships are in the amount of US$5,000 each. They are awarded on the basis of scholastic achievement without regard to academic discipline, race, or nationality.
In addition, there will be a special award in memory of Mr. Chi-Chung Yu, founder of the China Times Foundation. It will be given to the highest ranked of the applicants, and will carry a cash award of US$10,000.
Applicants must send a completed application form, curriculum vitae, official transcript of graduate course work, reprints of publications (if any), and a project description in English and Chinese.
Deadline for applications is JUNE 30, 2012. Awards will be announced in October 2012.
An application form is required. The application form may be obtained from:
China Times Cultural Foundation
E-mail: ctcfmail@yahoo.com