President Trump is aiming to “zero out” federal funding for the 65-year-old East-West Center, the Center for Cultural and Technical Interchange Between East and West, according to a source familiar with the center’s operations. The information reportedly originated with Hawaii’s congressional delegation.
The EWC, based on the University of Hawaii campus, currently receives about $22 million annually appropriated by Congress to support its essential education, professional development, research, policy dialogue, journalism, and cultural programs throughout the Indo-Pacific region, according to a March 2024 news release from the office of Senator Brian Schatz.
If the reports of the possible elimination of federal funds proves to be true, the result would be devasting for the EWC.
The federal funding makes up 61% of the center’s annual income, according to its 2023 annual report, and an abrupt cut-off would appear make it impossible for the center to continue in its current form and could force its closure.
The East-West Center is “an education and research organization established by the U.S. Congress in 1960 to strengthen relations and understanding among the peoples and nations of Asia, the Pacific, and the United States as part of Cold War diplomatic efforts,” according to an entry in Wikipedia.
The EWC engages in research on economic development, trade, energy, governance, politics, security, conflict reduction, population, health, and environment, offers educational opportunities for students, and professional development seminars and workshops for educators from the U.S. and the Asia-Pacific region.
It isn’t known how many are employed in its various activities in full or part-time positions, or employed on project contracts.
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This would be an absolute tragedy..for so many! It absolutely must not happen! Trump, no words adequately describe his depravity! He must be impeached now!
They already did that, twice.
Wonder how the Asia Pacific Center will fare since the IndoPacom was allegedly in the “safe zone” from cuts and mayhem??
‘Reportedly’
Too many speculative stories obscuring the Trump reality.
I’d hate to see it go, but nothing is untouchable. Mazie and Schatz should be creating a justification to keep it. The problem is that they are not the best communicators…and Mazie has burned all bridges with the current Administration.
One has to wonder how the late Senator Daniel J. Inouye would have reacted to our current President. Senator Inouye was thoughtful, patient and extremely intelligent. He would find a way to work with him, I feel.
The EWC has been on the QT since its heyday in the ‘60’s. They and the Matsunaga. Iinstitute seem to have lost their influence in preventing US-backed aggression in many parts of the world. A reset in order?
Mixed feelings on potential closing of EWC, or more specifically, loss of Federal funding.
Overheard countless times at Manoa Gardens that the EWC was filled with CIA agents and spies from other countries. . . but I digress.
Assuming EWC facilities (dorms, offices, conference center) would be absorbed by the UH which in my opinion is a win.
Will be interesting to observe if “Save the East-West Center” becomes a strong rallying cry within the UH Manoa academic community–or not. I have my doubts.
Glad I didn’t hear about that stuff when I was younger! Didn’t know my college was a place for harboring criminals.
UH needs to either take it under its academic umbrella or reach out to the Foundations and Charitable Trusts that support them and keep them in the loop!! The Oceanic research people need to do the same if they haven’t already! Those idiots in DC need to keep their hands off of the things that work. This is going to be the longest four years known to man!
#TRUTH
Why the EWC has not yet adopted an austerity plan is beyond belief. USAID cuts have occurred and more federal cuts are likely. A new plan to save this august institution must be formulated asap. They have time but they need a business oriented thinker to craft and implement. Forget about lofty academic thinkers, hire a business person now!