International Affairs: Implications for Asian Pacific Americans

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month is an opportunity to honor the global contributions of some Asian Pacific Americans and to highlight how that legacy continues in the U.S. international arena with younger generations who are IIPP fellows.

"These are enormously challenging and exciting times in international affairs and public policy," says Darryl Crompton, IIPP Director. "The contributions that Asian Pacific Americans make are crucial because diversity in the international arena is imperative."

Valued at almost $100,000, the IIPP fellowship, now entering its 14th year, is the hallmark of UNCFSP. Nearly 300 minority students have been placed in over 50 countries. Applying during the spring of their sophomore years in college, IIPP Fellows later study global issues through a well-structured curriculum. Currently, 16 percent of IIPP program participants are Asian Pacific American.

A NUMBER OF 'FIRSTS'

Overcoming post-World War II anti-Japanese sentiment and gender bias, the late Patsy T. Mink, a second-generation Japanese American, achieved a number of "firsts." She became the first Asian Pacific American Assistant Secretary of State and first Asian Pacific American woman elected to Congress, where she served 12 terms.

Julia Chang Bloch, who was born inChina, began her U.S. international affairs career as a Peace Corps volunteer inMalaysia and later served in Nepal as the first appointed Asian Pacific American ambassador.

During his 28 years with the U.S. State Department, William Itoh, born in Japan, became the first U.S. ambassador to rise through the Foreign Service ranks. He served as both Deputy Executive Secretary and Acting Executive Secretary. Sichan Siv, a native ofCambodia, fled to America from forced labor camps to become the first U.S. ambassador of Southeast Asian heritage.

CONTRIBUTIONS OF ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN IIPP FELLOWS

During the beginning of the SARS epidemic in 2003, IIPP Fellow Ruby Marcelo, a Filipina American, traveled toChina to study abroad. Marcelo remembers seeing the first student attend class in a hospital mask. More students donned these protective masks until nearly everyone on campus wore one. Marcelo never imagined being in the midst of an international news story, but values the opportunity. "It was amazing to be inShanghai during this time," she says.

After growing up inGermany andHawaii, when Marcello enrolled at Beloit College inWisconsin, a degree in international affairs was a natural choice. Hindered by the expense of travel abroad, a classmate's e-mail describing IIPP helped get her career started.

IIPP Fellow Kuong Ly was seven when his family left a Cambodian refugee camp as survivors of the Pol Pot regime. Recently recognized as a 2007 Truman Scholar, Ly, who is Southeast Asian, will soon graduate from Boston College. He plans to champion refugee rights, particularly those of women. "When you look at refugee camps, 80% are women and children," Ly says. "The men are simply killed." He plans to work directly with refugees who have suffered trauma, and educate policy makers about the "invisible scars" that trauma causes.

"Having all the opportunities I've had makes me obligated to my community," he says. "There are very few programs that empower students of color. The IIPP gives you a network to ensure that you'll be successful."

For more information, visit www.UNCFSP.org/IIPP .

SOURCE UNCFSP

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