The Center for the Pacific Rim at the University of San Francisco promotes understanding, communication, and cooperation among the nations, peoples, and economies of the Pacific Rim.
Engaged with the San Francisco Bay Area's Pacific Rim-oriented business and non-profit communities, and "bridging the Pacific" with its many activities, the Center for the Pacific Rim is committed to the enduring value of the Jesuit tradition in public service and humanities education.
Public Programs
Since its founding in 1988 the Center has been at the forefront of public education about the Pacific Rim in the San Francisco Bay Area. The Center presents timely seminars, lectures, and international conferences on a wide range of Asia-related subjects. Almost all Center events are free to the public. Several upcoming events are always posted on the Center's homepage, but for a complete listing or to learn about past events, visit our Public Events Calendar page.
The Ricci Institute
The Center includes the Ricci Institute for Chinese-Western Cultural History, an important center of scholarly research with a special focus on the history of Christianity in China and East-West cultural contacts as mediated by the Jesuits and other missionaries. A large research library, primarily in Asian languages, and a unique internet database project are just part of the Institute's resources and projects.
The Japan Policy Research Institute
In order to broaden the scope of the Center's contributions to the general field of Asian Pacific studies, and in particular to the study of Japan, the Center now operates the Japan Policy Research Institute. Founded in 1994 by Chalmers Johnson and Steven C. Clemons, JPRI, as part of the Center, continues to provide a venue for the most thought-provoking, relevant, and influential writing on contemporary and historical issues related to Japan and its place in the world, in order, in the words of Chalmers Johnson, "to promote public education about Japan.” Despite its name JPRI does not focus exclusively on Japan, publishing many articles about China, Korea, Southeast Asia, and Inner Asia.
The Nautilus Institute
Since 2004 the world headquarters of the Nautlius Institute for Security and Sustainability has been located at the USF Center for the Pacific Rim under a cooperative arrangement which gives Nautilus a home and provides the Center and its graduate students a valuable research resource and many opportunities for joint initiatives in the areas of public policy and specialized research into Northeast Asian issues.
China Dialogue
Beginning in Fall 2009 the Center has become home to the U.S. offices of China Dialogue, a unique multi-lingual web-based project begun in 2006 by international journalist Isabel Hilton. Using "China and the World discuss the Environment" as their watchwords, China dialogue hosts editorial content as well as reader comments all of which appears in both English and Chinese, no matter the originating language of the material. Like the other constituent and affiliate parts of the Center, China Dialogue offers unique opportunities for USF students and faculty in relevant disciplines to contribute to and benefit from their extraordinary work in an important field.
Executive Advisory Board
The Center's Executive Advisory Board represents the close links between the San Francisco Bay Area business and non-profit communities and the Center for the Pacific Rim. The Board's distinguished members advise the Center on trends and developments in the Bay Area and in the Pacific Rim at large.
Pacific Rim Currents
The Center's annual review publication, Pacific Rim Currents, appears every September with a complete update on all of the Center's activities of the previous year. Although highlights are available online, the best way to enjoy Currents is to subscribe!
