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Check the Asia House website for up to date information. http://www.asiahouse.org.uk

London, Great Britain

The Asia House London

Relations between Europe and Asia, the world's largest and fastest growing region hold out great promise for the next century. Europe urgently needs to improve its knowledge of this vast region, stretching from India too Japan, with over half the world's population and the cradle of so many of its great civilizations.

Asia House will provide a centre for deepening understanding of Asia today, its history, cultures, and economies, and increasing awareness of the opportunities ahead. It will establish close cooperation with and offer facilities to, all those institutions, companies and cultural groups already active in this field. As well as being a forum for the interchange of ideas and knowledge, it will provide a showplace where Asia's arts as well as its business, scientific and technological achievements can be displayed.
This initiative has been welcomed by Asian governments and by the European Union as part of its new strategy for Asia.

Corporate programme
A corporate programme will cover many aspects of doing business in the Asian countries: economic and social programmes for businessmen, meetings with visiting economic and commercial missions from Asia, and luncheons and dinners with Asian personalities from the world of business and politics.
The aims of this corporate programme are:
- to provide facilities where both European and Asian companies and organizations can mount seminars and displays designed to spread knowledge of their activities, investments and achievements in technology and design.
- to provide occasions for contact between key decision makers in business and government
- to establish a forum for business and economic discussion and study, and for scientific and technological interchange.
- to provide a business service centre for visiting Asian businessmen.

Cultural programme
Asia House will aim to spread an interest in Asian affairs to a much wider public through a varied and dynamic programme. All the arts of Asia, past and present, will be presented in a vital manner with appeal to all ages.
The aims of this cultural programme are:
- to be a distinctive meeting place for the exchange of knowledge and ideas among all interested in the creative and intellectual life of Asian countries.
- To heighten awareness of the historical, cultural and economic cross currents which are often overlooked in isolated studies of individual Asian nations or regions.
- To foster the study of the arts and cultures and economies of Asian countries in the schools and educational community.

While a number of organizations deal with aspects of relations with Asia and our museums house rich collections of Asian art, there is no single institution in the British Isles devoted to improving European awareness of today's business, economic and social trends in Asia, and understanding of its histories and cultures. That is the gap which Asia House will fill. Structure
Asia House will be a non-political, non-profit organization in the heart of London. The building will house a gallery for temporary exhibitions of Asian art, a hall for lectures and performances, smaller rooms for meetings, a centre for business services, a library and shop, and attractive reception and dining facilities.
Asia House will be open to corporate and individual membership. It will aim to work in close cooperation with other European organizations involved in Asia and with The Asia Society, new York. Its operation will be financed by subscriptions, sponsorship of events, revenue from its activities and income from endowments and legacies. Charitable status has been obtained, an Executive Committee, Advisory Council and Development Board have been formed, and Executive Committees are being established in each Asian member country.

Funding
Sufficient funds have already been donated to launch a first season of activities and contributions are invited towards the working capital. Major donations are now being sought to provide a building. Suitable premises are presently available at advantageous prices.
The establishment of Asia House in London will be a catalyst for closer and more informed relationships between Asia and Europe. The need exists and so does the opportunity. Now is the moment for action.

Asia House London

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