Applications Invited for Asia Pacific Leadership Program

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About the Organization

The East-West Center promotes better relations and understanding among the people and nations of the United States, Asia, and the Pacific through cooperative study, research, and dialogue.

About the Program

The Asia Pacific Leadership Program (APLP), established in 2000, is a premier leadership development program focused on the Indo-Pacific region. APLP brings together mid-career professionals from across the region to develop strategic leadership skills for complex times by examining the forces shaping the region today, exploring the types of leadership needed to address these challenges, and building personal, team, and community capacity.

The 2026 APLP will explore global and geoeconomic trends shaping economic security* at national and local levels, through a systems perspective. Core weekly themes will examine how energy, food and agricultural systems, health systems, and the societal impacts of artificial intelligence are interconnected within broader economic, environmental, and technological contexts. Additional topics may include supply chains and critical infrastructure, economic coercion, and digital systems, with content tailored to the selected cohort. Visit our program page for more in-depth information on the APLP.

2026 Program Dates

Pre-residency Virtual Connection: June 1-23

• Fellows engage virtually—both synchronously and asynchronously—from any location with internet access. During this period, the cohort begins building relationships, developing an appreciative understanding of one another’s backgrounds and goals, and exploring the challenges of leading change. Fellows may continue full-time employment but must complete all assignments to remain eligible for residency.

Residency in Hawai`i: June 24-July 31

• Fellows convene in Honolulu, Hawai‘i, for an immersive, full-time residency on the East-West Center campus. They engage closely with their cohort, program staff, and community partners to develop shared perspectives on the major factors and trends shaping change in the Asia-Pacific region. Hawai‘i’s distinctive physical and cultural environment encourages openness to diverse perspectives on leadership and the future. Learning is deepened through peer-to-peer exchanges, exploration of leadership concepts and capacities, and practical applications for leading change. The residency includes a field study on Hawai‘i Island and requires full-time participation, including some evening and weekend activities. Fellows may not engage in outside employment during this period.

Post-residency Virtual Connection: August 1-September 2

• Following the residency, fellows reconnect virtually to reflect on their learning and discuss how they are integrating leadership insights into their personal, professional, and community contexts. Full-time employment may resume during this phase, but fellows must complete all final deliverables to receive a program completion certificate.

Eligibility

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited higher education institution in the United States, or equivalent degree representing a full-time program of study of at least 3 years' duration, from an officially-recognized higher education institution outside of the United States.
• At least 5 years of work experience
• Applicants will be expected to have a fluent level of English. Applicants are encouraged to provide an English language test score (such as IELTS), if one is available.
• A demonstrated commitment to promoting peace and prosperity in the Indo-Asia Pacific region through professional work, study or living experience
• There are no citizenship, age, or ethnicity restrictions.

Desirable Qualifications

• Leadership track record in professional, public, and/or personal realms
• Willingness to engage fully in place-based experiential, and transformational leadership development training
• Deep involvement in a specific organization, business or community impact initiative (applicants must explain how, with their home-setting teams, they will experiment with the leadership strategies learned in APLP)
• International experience, including overseas residence, language skills, etc.
• Experience of cohort learning, working collaboratively in small teams or in large groups.

How to Apply

Application Deadline: November 15, 2025 @ 11:00 PM Hawaii Standard Time (HST)

Apply

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