Mission and History of Asia Society Mission Asia Society is the leading global and pan-Asian organization working to strengthen relationships and promote understanding among the people, leaders, and institutions of the United States and Asia. We seek to increase knowledge and enhance dialogue, encourage creative expression, and generate new ideas across the fields of arts and culture, policy and business, and education. History Asia Society was founded in 1956 by John D. Rockefeller 3rd. Initially established to promote greater knowledge of Asia in the US, the Society today is a global institution—with offices throughout the US and Asia—that fulfills its educational mandate through a wide range of cross-disciplinary programming. As economies and cultures have become more interconnected, the Society's programs have expanded to address Asian American issues, the effects of globalization, and pressing concerns in Asia including human rights, the status of women, and environmental and global health issues such as HIV/AIDS. In celebration of its 50th anniversary in 2006, Asia Society announced a dramatic expansion of its network that includes the building of major new facilities in Hong Kong and Houston. Click here for more information about visiting Asia Society around the world. "Over the years, the Asia Society has endeavored to strengthen US-Asia exchanges and cooperation and promote China-US relations, and I wish to express to you my appreciation for all this." —President Hu Jintao, The People’s Republic of China "...the Society has been invaluable in bringing together a wide variety of opinions on the encounter between Asia and the United States ... and has contributed to the transformation in India-U.S. ties manifest in recent times." —Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, India "The Asia Society has been playing an important role in deepening ties and understanding among the peoples of Asia-Pacific and the United States. I truly expect the Asia Society will enhance this role for furthering the region's stability and prosperity." —Former Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe "The Asia Society has worked tirelessly to raise awareness about Asia among Americans and to strengthen relations between Asia and the United States." —Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, United Nations "At a time when the eyes of the world are on Asia, this institution is indispensable." —The New York Times