The 2011 Harvard Project for Asian and International Relations (HPAIR) Asia Conference On August 19th, an “Olympic game of knowledge and culture” took place at COEX located in Samsung-dong, Seoul, where 450 university students from 31 countries including Harvard University students and 900 others including entrepreneurs of global companies and academics gathered. The event was the 2011 HPAIR Asia Conference co-hosted by Harvard and Yonsei University. The conference was held at Yonsei University and COEX for five days from August 19th to 23rd. Steve Lin (Mathematical economics, Junior, Harvard University), who was the Executive Director of the Organizing Committee representing Harvard University said, “Students from all over the world have shared their visions about our future in Korea where the G20 Meeting was held last year.” and that, “It was an especially attractive location given students’ high interest in K-POP.” The theme of the conference was “At the crossroads, Decisions in a Dynamic Asia,” reflecting the recent global financial recession and innovations in media. Chair Lin said, “Students from universities around the world are highly interested in Asia because it is such a dynamic region.” and that “This dynamism was the focus of their interest since Asia is currently facing various challenges.” Kim Joong-min (Underwood International College, Economics major, Junior, Yonsei University), who was the Executive Director representing Yonsei University during the conference said, “Preparations for the conference were made by communicating with Harvard students over e-mails and online calls.” and that “It will be a chance to learn how students from around the world perceive Asia.” Yonsei University students earned the right to hold this conference after beating competition last November from nine other universities of various countries such as Japan, India, and China. Panel sessions and seminars during the conference spanned seven major topics including media, entrepreneurial spirit, business leadership, international finance, diplomatic security, international development, and the environment. Academics and entrepreneurs shared their knowledge and know-hows on various issues such as Wikileads, the Korean Wave, the global financial crisis, and many more. Speeches were delivered by 150 people including Michael Dukakis, 1988 Democratic Nominee for President of the United States, Muhamad Noor, Executive Director of APEC Secretariat, Oh Jong-nam, former Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and Daniel Alegre, President of Google Asia Pacific Operations. On the 21st in particular, all events were held at Yonsei University. Four panelists shared their experiences on the topic of “entrepreneurial spirit” and gave advice on how to succeed to students. The panelists advised the students to go on a lonely path if they wish to go fast, but to go as a team if they wish to succeed. They also told them to inspire others not with economic incentives but with vision and passion, and to build the insight that integrates passion and trend. Participants of the conference were selected by the Organizing Committees of Harvard and Yonsei University based on English essays and interviews. More than 1,000 students around the world applied in order to participate in the conference despite the $350 registration fee and personally financed flight and lodging costs. 30 students were from the United States schools such as Harvard University, Boston University, and New York University. Students from prestigious universities around the world included those from Tokyo University and Keio University in Japan, Peking University and University of Hong Kong in China, University of London in the United Kingdom, and Bandung Institute of Technology in Indonesia.