High school students
Participants, researchers, and student moderators
01 / 2026 Summit
Summit dateOctober 3, 2026Online · Eastern Time (ET)
Currents Across East Asia
The complete overview of the 2026 summit: its central theme, the community it brings together, the one-day schedule, four panel conversations, and confirmed panelists.
Register for the Summit
2026 theme
People, Culture, and Change
Ideas, identities, communities, and economies move across East Asia in visible and invisible currents. The 2026 summit asks how young people can understand those forces—and help shape what comes next.
“Many Perspectives. New Possibilities.”
Who gathers here
A cross-border learning community.
Educators
Teachers, counselors, and school program leaders
Scholars & researchers
Keynote speakers, panelists, and reviewers
Community organizations
Practitioners connecting ideas with lived experience
Format
One focused day, online, designed for exchange.
- When
- October 3, 2026
- Where
- Virtual international summit
- Core language
- English
- Time zone
- Eastern Time (ET)
One day / Four panels / Two showcases
Schedule and conversations.
Saturday · ETOct 03
01
9:00–9:15 AM
Welcome
Opening Ceremony
02
9:15–9:35 AM
Opening address
Keynote Speech
03
9:50–11:00 AM
Parallel sessions
Panel 1 & Panel 2
Panel 01
Migration, Human Rights, and the Search for Belonging
How migration, diaspora, cross-border families, and international education are changing communities—and what belonging can look like.Panel 02
Business and Regional Economic Cooperation
How businesses, trade, investment, and cross-border partnerships can strengthen economic cooperation and create shared opportunities across East Asia.04
11:00 AM–12:10 PM
Student program
Student Showcase I
The first group of selected students presents outstanding research and projects to the summit community.
05
12:10–12:30 PM
Intermission
Lunch Break
06
12:30–1:40 PM
Parallel sessions
Panel 3 & Panel 4
Panel 03
Culture, Art, and Media as Bridges Between Communities
How film, music, animation, literature, gaming, journalism, and digital media shape cultural exchange, identity, and understanding across borders.Panel 04
Fewer Students, Changing Schools: Education and Demographic Change
How declining birth rates, aging populations, and shrinking enrollment are changing schools, teachers, resources, and regional equity.07
1:50–3:00 PM
Student program
Student Showcase II
A second group of selected students shares original research and projects in a live online presentation.
08
3:00–4:00 PM
Closing dialogue
Community Forum
Participants connect the day’s ideas, exchange perspectives, and identify questions for future collaboration.
All times are listed in Eastern Time (ET). Registration details and online access links will be shared with confirmed participants.
2026 speakers
Meet the panelists.
Four conversations, bringing together perspectives from across the region and beyond.
Panel 01
Migration, Human Rights, and the Search for Belonging
Moderated by Tyler Shi
Gracia Liu-FarrerProfessor, Waseda University · Director, Institute of Asian Migrations
Sandra FahyAssociate Professor, Global and International Studies · Carleton University
Panel 02
Business and Regional Economic Cooperation
Moderated by Edric Wang
Louis W. PaulyJ. Stefan Dupré Distinguished Professor of Political Economy · University of Toronto
Andrew CollierResearch Fellow, Mossavar-Rahmani Center · Harvard Kennedy School
Panel 03
Culture, Art, and Media as Bridges Between Communities
Moderated by Lucas Yu
Qian “Cici” LiuWriter & Arts and Culture Interviewer
Ziqi ZhangTheatre Producer & Cross-Cultural Arts Organizer · Vermilion Theater
Zilu WangBoard-Certified Music Therapist, Improviser & Founder
Panel 04
Fewer Students, Changing Schools: Education and Demographic Change
Moderated by Cecilia Shao
June GordonProfessor of Education · UC Santa Cruz
Qiang ZhaAssociate Professor, Faculty of Education · York University
Jamie FineSenior Administrative Program Coordinator · The University of Texas at Austin
Student Showcase
Stay with the current
Join the 2026 conversation.
Speaker, registration, access, and Student Showcase updates will be announced as planning progresses.
Contact & Support