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Signature Events

The Liu Institute for Asia and Asian Studies hosts three signature events with the goal of expanding knowledge and understanding of Asia and topics related to Asia. The Institute strives to present Asia expertise from a variety of disciplines, perspectives, and experiences that provide meaningful programming for the Notre Dame community and beyond. 

Asia Leadership Forum

Ressa 500

The Asia Leadership Forum is the flagship event of the Liu Institute for Asia and Asian Studies. The forum invites world leaders from Asia to discuss relevant topics within a global context. The forum began in 2015 with a lecture by former Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. In 2016, Ma Ying-jeou, the former president of Taiwan, delivered the keynote address. In 2018, Ban Ki-moon, the eighth secretary-general of the United Nations, delivered the keynote address. 

Maria Ressa (shown above), a Nobel-Prize-winning journalist, is the featured speaker for the 2023 ALF on March 21.

Asian American Distinguished Speaker Series

Freeman

The Asian American Distinguished Speaker Series honors innovative, creative, and effective Asian American leaders and celebrates their contributions, especially as visibility of Asian American leadership and success are often overlooked.The 2022 event on April 27 featured Marcus Freeman, the Dick Corbett Head Football Coach for the University of Notre Dame. Tarryn Chun, an assistant professor of Film, Television, and Theatre and Liu Institute faculty fellow, moderated. Watch the video.

Justice and Asia Distinguished Lecture

Garfield

The Justice and Asia Distinguished Lecture invites top scholars who examine the theme of justice with awareness of Asian cultures and traditions. The series launched in 2021 and is part of the Liu Institute’s organizing theme of “Justice and Asia” that examines and supports thematic work from a range of perspectives, projects, disciplines, and collaborations. Jay Garfield, a Buddhism scholar at Smith College, will deliver the third annual lecture on Thursday, April 13, 2023. More information here.