About

Asia Society France is dedicated to reinforcing the links connecting Asia with France and the European Union, advancing Asia Society’s mission: navigating shared futures for Asia and the world.

Asia Society France is a member of the global Asia Society family. The Asia Society was founded in 1956 in New York by John D. Rockefeller 3rd. Initially established to promote greater knowledge of Asia in the United States, the Society today is a global institution recognized as a thought leader on Asian issues, home to a vibrant community of decision makers around the world. There are 13 independent centers spread across Asia — Australia, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea, and the Philippines — the United States, and Europe.

As the first center in the European Union, Asia Society France — founded in October 2021 — provides a unique opportunity to become part of this global community, and to contribute to a meaningful dialogue that could shape our future. Asia Society France is a not-for-profit entity registered in France as an Association under the law of 1901.

Asia Society France complements the existing presence in Europe of Asia Society Switzerland, launched in 2016, with whom we work closely and share a time zone and a common language.

France and Asia enjoy deep and longstanding ties. France has a significant presence in Asia, a large expatriate community in Asia, and is home to diverse communities born in, or maintaining strong ties with, the continent.

The hexagon shape of France matches perfectly the six focus areas of the Asia Society:

• Arts and Culture
• Education
• Policy
• Sustainability
• Business
• Technology

We provide a platform for dialogue and encourage a diversity of views to enhance peace, prosperity, freedom, equality, and sustainability. We aim to “shed light, not heat” — éclairer les esprits, sans attiser les braises.

Our peer-led conversations highlight global issues and address complex challenges. We encourage conversations not only between leaders in business, academics, and politics but also with artists and pioneers in a range of fields who are keen to learn from each other and shape a more positive future.

We are an independent organization which has no affiliation with any government. The Society takes no institutional position on individual policy challenges. We will never shy away from the hard questions facing our world. We value collaboration with government and non-government institutions in forging common approaches to otherwise intractable problems.

Read more about the background and history of the Asia Society here.