In November 2001,
about thirty academics from Asia met in
Kuala Lumpur to discuss the feasibility
of launching an Asian-based academic organization
dedicated to the advancement of political
and international studies. It was the general
consensus of the meeting that Asian scholars
have been marginalized from the decision-making
processes of the Western-based associations
of a similar nature, Asian schools of thought
have been stifled as a consequence of the
American hegemony in the social sciences,
and that the state of Asian studies in
general has remained underdeveloped. In
the light of these concerns, the Kuala
Lumpur meeting recommended the establishment
of the Asian Political and International
Studies Association (APISA).
APISA is an independent,
non-governmental, non-profit organization.
Its objectives are the:
a)
Promotion of research, teaching, and
publication of political and international
studies in and on Asia.
b) Dissemination of research findings, institutional skills and syllabi.
c) Promotion of cooperation and exchanges between individuals and institutions.
d) Promotion of regional and sub-regional peace through epistemic communities.
APISA is Asia's
first academic organization dealing with
political and international studies.
It is modeled upon similar academic institutions
in the West with whom it would seek affiliation.
In addition to the organization of biannual
conventions, APISA would be sponsoring
a range of academic and professional
activities such as book awards, sub-regional
conferences and workshops, language teaching,
and training. APISA would also be launching
the Asian Political and International
Studies Review (APISR) that is envisaged
to be the premier academic journal in
political science and international relations
in Asia.
To access APISA
website: http://www.apisanet.com/
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