Leiden Asia Centre 10th Anniversary
A Decade of Dialogue: 10 Years Connecting Asia and Europe in a Changing World
In 2026, the Leiden Asia Centre celebrates a decade of building bridges between continents, ideas, and people. Under the theme “Decade of Dialogue: 10 Years Connecting Europe and Asia in a Changing World,” we mark ten years of fostering meaningful conversations in a world shaped by geopolitical shifts, technological transformation, and social change.
From the historic trade routes that connected Rome and China — from rhubarb to the Silk Road — to today’s debates on digital diplomacy, cybersecurity, and the role of middle powers, Europe and Asia have long been intertwined. Over the past 10 years, Leiden Asia Centre has helped make that connection deeper, more informed, and more inclusive.
Our anniversary is not only a celebration of the past, but a statement about the impact we have built — and the future we continue to shape.
Throughout 2026, we will organize special events and highlight the work we have done in the past 10 years. Keep an eye on this webpage and our social media channels to stay up to date.
10 years: 10 bridges between Asia and Europe that created impact
Throughout this decade, we have acted as a:
- Knowledge bridge – Producing rigorous and accessible research on Asia.
- Policy bridge – Facilitating meaningful dialogue between experts, embassies, and policymakers.
- Academic bridge – Connecting researchers and broadening scholarly perspectives.
- Cultural bridge – Integrating Asian voices into European debates.
- Economic bridge – Providing strategic insights for the business community.
- Training bridge – Equipping policymakers with specialized expertise.
- Society bridge – Translating complex issues into relevant public discussions.
- Practical bridge – Creating tangible spaces for exchange, collaboration, and debate.
- Dialogue bridge –Enabling direct conversations between European and Asian experts, ensuring that perspectives from the region are heard, not filtered.
- Future bridge – Anticipating emerging trends, scenarios, and strategic shifts to navigate tomorrow’s challenges.
Impact That Connects Audiences
- For policymakers, we provide a trusted network that enables international connections and diverse perspectives.
- For scholars, we serve as a hub that expands horizons and amplifies research impact.
- For business leaders, we offer strategic analysis and access to forward-looking insights beyond conventional frameworks.
- For society at large, we create accessible spaces where understanding Asia becomes relevant, engaging, and transformative.
What sets us apart is clear: we do not speak about Asia from a distance. We create direct dialogue. We integrate voices from across the region into our conversations, our teams, and our research. We connect European and Asian perspectives in a balanced, critical, and constructive way.
Ten years on, we remain convinced that informed dialogue has never been more necessary.
This anniversary is an invitation — to reflect with pride, to recognize the bridges we have built, and to cross the next ones together.
Stay tuned. Join the Decade of Dialogue.