ASEAN Matters for Southern California: CPD Conversations in Public Diplomacy

The ten member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have experienced a tremendous amount of economic growth in recent years. Cheaper manufacturing costs, strengthened infrastructures, and innovations in science and technology have attracted billions in foreign direct investment. With rising levels of disposable income for the region’s expanding middle class, it is no surprise that ASEAN economies are expected to grow 4.3% in 2015. This prosperity bodes particularly well for California, where exports to ASEAN nations contributed more than $14.6 billion to the state’s economy in 2012. ASEAN is California’s fifth largest export market following Mexico, Canada, China, and Japan, ahead of South Korea and Germany.
On Tuesday, October 7th the United States Ambassadors to Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore will visit the University of Southern California for an in-depth panel discussion on the local impact of ASEAN/U.S. trade, why ASEAN is critical to Southern California’s continued economic growth, and the vital role of public diplomacy. Moderating is Professor Gabriel Kahn, Co-Director, Media, Economics and Entrepreneurship; Director, Future of Journalism at the Annenberg Innovation Lab. This event is presented in collaboration with the Pacific Council on International Policy.