EWC's Lewis Named VP of Prestigious Science Group

HONOLULU (June 26) – Director of the East-West Center’s Research Program Nancy Lewis has been elected vice president of the prestigious Pacific Science Association (PSA) at its recently concluded conference in Okinawa, Japan. Serving as an officer in the influential science group is not new to Lewis. She most recently represented the PSA as its secretary-general and treasurer.

Founded in 1920, the PSA is the oldest interdisciplinary science organization in the Asia Pacific region. With its secretariat headquartered at Honolulu’s Bishop Museum, the group facilitates international research and collaboration throughout the region. It focuses on key regional issues and problems to engage science in the service of human needs and to improve the quality of life of the region’s people and of the natural world upon which they depend.

The recently concluded 21st Pacific Science Congress in Okinawa attracted over 700 scientists and researchers from 50 plus countries. Topics addressed included climate change, coral reef conservation, ocean acidification, biodiversity, energy, natural hazards, emerging infectious disease, telecommunications and distance learning, science and society and women in science.

Addresses were given by, among others, Kiyoshi Kurokawa, Science Advisor to Prime Minister Abe and immediate past president of the PSA, A.H. Zakri, Director of the United Nations University Institute of Advanced Studies and co-chair of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment Board, Rajendra Pauchari, Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and Director of the Tata Energy Research Institute and Shigeru Omi, Director of the Western Pacific Regional Office of WHO. A public symposium which was held jointly with the Science Council of Asia attracted a large audience including many high school students. His Royal Highness Prince Akishino addressed this audience on biodiversity.

Lewis says one big advantage of the PSA is that it links “scientists from developed countries with those from developing countries, including the archipelagic and more remote states of the Pacific.” She adds, “The mission of the PSA and that of the East-West Center both include addressing key regional issues and working collaboratively with regional partners. Researchers at the Center have been involved in the PSA’s activities for a number of years, offering the wealth of knowledge and expertise available at the Center.”

As witnessed at the just concluded Okinawa conference, the PSA’s interdisciplinary cooperation has set its sights on such critical emerging regional issues as biodiversity loss, climate change, infectious diseases, and the social implications of globalization. The scientific group provides crucial information for both society and policymakers which in turn enable them to make sound and informed decisions.

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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. The Center contributes to a peaceful, prosperous and just Asia Pacific community by serving as a vigorous hub for cooperative research, education and dialogue on critical issues of common concern to the Asia Pacific region and the United States. Funding for the Center comes from the U.S. government, with additional support provided by private agencies, individuals, foundations, corporations, and the governments of the region.

For more detailed information concerning the PSA, Dr. Nancy Lewis may be contacted at +(808) 944-7245 or via email at lewisn@EastWestCenter.org.

Media inquires concerning the East-West Center may be addressed to John Lewis, EWC Media Relations Officer at lewisj@EastWestCenter.org. Lewis may also be contacted via telephone at +(808) 944-7204.

Written inquires should be addressed to:
John Lewis
Media Relations Officer
Office of External Affairs
East-West Center
1601 East-West Road
Honolulu, Hawaii 96848-1601
U.S.A.

This release was published on openPR.