THE
ROYAL SOCIETY
FOR
ASIAN AFFAIRS
Patron:
HRH THE PRINCE OF WALES
President:
THE LORD DENMAN, C.B.E., M.C., T.D.
Honorary Vice-Presidents:
THE EARL OF SELKIRK, K.T., P.C., G.C.M.G., G.B.E., A.F.C.
THE LORD GREENHILL OF HARROW, G.C.M.G., O.B.E.
SIR ARTHUR DE LA MARE, K.C.M.G., K.C.V.O.
Chairman of Council:
SIR MICHAEL WILFORD, G.C.M.G.
2 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8PJ Telephone: (01) 235 5122
The Society was founded in 1901 to promote greater know- ledge and understanding of Central Asia and surrounding countries. With the passage of time, the area has been extended to include the whole of Asia, from the Middle East to Japan. The Society is an active and friendly organisation, which provides those interested in Asia with many ways of expanding these interests.
In pursuit of these aims, the Council of the Society seeks to provide a balanced programme of activities which, though by no means neglecting the past, gives opportunities for keeping up-to-date with developments and for discussion on a wide variety of topics of common interest to Asia and the West.
The Society's activities may be summarised as follows:-
Meetings, held about twice a month, at which lectures are given by authoritative speakers. The programme includes lectures, films and slides on current affairs, economics, finance, history, art, archaeology, sociology, culture, travel and other subjects of special interest connected with all parts of Asia.
Social functions, which include an annual dinner, an afternoon party in the summer, an Anniversary Meeting, and buffets at lunch-time and refreshment at evening lectures which give members and their guests an opportunity to meet the guest speaker and others with similar interests. Special meetings for members of Companies which are Affiliate Members of the Society are held to discuss economic and financial matters with high-level representatives of Asian countries.
A Library and Reading Room, with a fine and easily accessible
collection of about 7,000 books on Asian subjects. The Journal of the Society, "Asian Affairs", is published three times a year and occupies a respected place in the current literature on Asia. It contains reports of lectures, original articles and book reviews. Its world-wide circulation includes many universities, institutes, companies, banks and ⚫governmental officials.
Educational activities undertaken by the Society to further its aim of increasing knowledge of Asia. The Society has a list of members prepared to give talks to appropriate groups, organisations such as schools, and the media.
Tours, especially organised by the Society in most years, to enable a group of members to make detailed visits to particular countries.
Study groups are occasionally established on subjects of par- ticular interest; these have attracted acknowledged outside experts to work with members.
Information Service. The Society frequently provides informa-
tion and expert advice on Asia.
May 1990