United States ↔ Japan ↔ South Korea

Close-up of the U.S. Capitol dome and American flag, representing the Trilateral Forum’s policy-focused programming in Washington, D.C.

Trilateral Forum

JASC and KASC alumni sit outside together during a Trilateral Forum break, showcasing cross-cultural friendship and bonding.

What is the Trilateral Forum?

The Trilateral Forum is a week-long winter program in Washington, D.C., designed exclusively for students selected to serve as Executive Committee (EC) members for the upcoming Japan-America Student Conference (JASC), Korea-America Student Conference (KASC), and China-America Student Conference (ChASC).

Planned and facilitated by International Student Conferences (ISC), the Forum equips ECs with the tools, insights, and connections they need to lead impactful summer conferences. Through off-the-record discussions with policy experts, site visits to diplomatic institutions, and cross-cultural collaboration, ECs deepen their understanding of U.S.–Asia relations while building a shared vision for the year ahead through a next-generation lens.

Why it Matters

In a moment of shifting alliances and urgent regional challenges, today’s young leaders need more than academic theory. They need:

Visual representing immersive learning experiences in diplomacy, a key component of the Trilateral Forum program.
Graphic representing the Trilateral Forum’s focus on multinational collaboration that fosters empathy and trust between U.S., Japan, and South Korea.
Icon and caption highlighting Trilateral Forum's emphasis on student leadership opportunities from day one.

The Trilateral Forum equips students with critical insights into the U.S.–Japan–Korea relationship, while preparing them to design and lead the summer conferences that will shape dialogue between the next generation of leaders.

Program Highlights

Over the course of one week in Washington, D.C., participants engage in:

🗣️ Off-the-record discussions with diplomats, journalists, and policy leaders

🧠 Workshops on leadership, communications, and diplomacy

🏛️ Site visits to embassies, think tanks, and government institutions

🤝 Peer collaboration on timely trilateral issues

🎤 A public symposium where students present their findings and engage with experts

Past themes have included regional security, democratic resilience, and the ethics of AI. Each year focuses on a timely topic facing the trilateral relationship.

2026 Trilatial Symposium

🗓️ Date: January 9, 2026 | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

📍Location: Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA in DC, 1819 L St NW, Washington, DC 20036. 

RSVP Here

Panel 1: Democratic Participation and Civic Engagement

What lessons can we learn from current trends in civic engagement and approaches to increasing democratic participation among youth and marginalized communities in the U.S., Japan, or Korea?

Speakers:

Kazuyo Kato, Japan Center for International Exchange

Sayuri Romei, German Marshall Fund

Lynn Lee, National Endowment for Democracy

Tami Overby, DGA Group

Student Moderators

Panel 2: Aging Societies and Social Safety Nets

What effective policy, social, and technological strategies have the U.S., Japan, and Korea developed to support aging populations and how can each country adapt lessons from the others to improve the quality of life for the elderly and people with disabilities?

Speakers:

Kirsten Colello, Congressional Research Service

Reiko Nishida, Waseda University

Student Moderators

Thank You to our Supporters

We are deeply grateful to our 2026 sponsors:

Korea Foundation

Japan Foundation NY

Trilateral Forum student delegates smile in front of the U.S. Capitol, symbolizing collaboration between American, Japanese, and Korean youth leaders.
Delegates at the 8th U.S.–Japan–Korea Trilateral Forum hold a banner at FIU in DC, joined by representatives from Korea Foundation, Sasakawa USA, and ISC.

Learn More

View our previous Trilateral Forums or contact us at info@iscdc.org with any questions

Past Trilateral Forums →
Three Trilateral Forum participants pose in front of a decorated Christmas tree in snowy Washington, D.C., during a 2025 site visit.