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.

As a national and regional resource, the Center offers:

An interdisciplinary research program that examines major issues of critical importance in U.S.-Asia Pacific relations.

Dialogue and professional enrichment programs that focus on groups central to the communication of ideas: the media, political and policy leaders, and educators.

Educational programs to develop the human resources needed by the United States and the Asia Pacific region in a new era of increased interdependence.