President Obama’s Visit Underscores ISC’s Mission

President Barack Obama’s 2014 visits to Japan and South Korea underscored the importance of the U.S.–Japan–Korea trilateral relationship. In joint statements with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and President Park Geun-hye, President Obama emphasized the critical role of young people in helping to reconcile historical grievances and build bridges of mutual understanding between nations.

That mission lies at the heart of what we do.

In 2013 and 2014, International Student Conferences (ISC) hosted trilateral symposia to bring together leaders from the Japan-America Student Conference (JASC) and Korea-America Student Conference (KASC). These gatherings fostered dialogue among student leaders about the future of trilateral cooperation and the shared challenges facing the region.

During a joint press conference with President Park, President Obama captured the spirit of this work:

“I think Prime Minister Abe recognizes, and certainly the Japanese people recognize, that the past is something that has to be recognized honestly and fairly.

But I also think that it is in the interest of both Japan and the Korean people to look forward as well as backwards and to find ways in which the heartache and the pain of the past can be resolved…

When you think about the young people of the Republic of Korea and Japan, my hope would be that we can honestly resolve some of these past tensions, but also keep our eye on the future and the possibilities of peace and prosperity for all people.”

– President Obama, April 25, 2014

At ISC, we believe the future of diplomacy lies in the hands of students. Through JASC, founded in 1934, and KASC, launched in 2008, we continue to invest in the next generation of leaders committed to dialogue, understanding, and peace in the Asia-Pacific.

In fact, JASC was recently recognized by both President Obama and Prime Minister Abe as an “indispensable” exchange program for strengthening the U.S.–Japan alliance. As JASC celebrates its 80th anniversary and KASC approaches its 8th, we remain proud to be part of this vital, student-led tradition.