Singapore has long been an ally of the United States, supporting political and economic stability in a region which is increasingly important to U.S. interests.  As a leading member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, which is housed in Singapore, Singapore also plays an active role in Southeast Asian regional organizations.  What are the important trends in Southeast Asia?  How do regional bodies such as ASEAN and APEC shape the political and economic order?  How has the United States fit into this order and the past, and what role will it play in the future?  To address these issues and more, please join Chan Heng Chee, Singaporean Ambassador to the United States.

To attend, please register by responding to eventsTo attend, please register by responding to events@ypfp.org with your name and affiliation.

Ambassador Chan Heng Chee:

Chan Heng Chee took up her appointment as Singapore's Ambassador to the United States in 1996. Prior to her appointment, she was the Executive Director of the Singapore International Foundation (which created a Singapore version of the Peace Corps) and Director of the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. She was the founding Director of the Institute of Policy Studies. She has served as Singapore's Permanent Representative to the United Nations and was concurrently High Commissioner to Canada and Ambassador to Mexico. Ambassador Chan has received a number of awards including Honorary Degrees of Doctor of Letters from the University of Newcastle, Australia; and the University of Buckingham (United Kingdom). She was named International Woman of the Year by the Organization of Chinese American Women in 1998 and she won Singapore's inaugural "Woman of the Year, Award". She received the National Book Award in the non-fiction section for "A Sensation of Independence: A Political Biography of David Marshall" in 1986 and the National Book Award for "The Dynamics of One Party Dominance: The PAP at the Grassroots" in 1978.

Ambassador Chan has served as a member on the International Advisory Board of the Council on Foreign Relations, the Council of the International Institute for Strategic Studies and the International Council of the Asia Society.

Ambassador Chan received from the Government of Singapore The Public Administration Medal (Gold) in 1999 and the Meritorious Service Medal in 2005.

Ambassador Chan was educated at the University of Singapore and Cornell University.

YPFP Ambassadors Series

YPFP is privileged to engage with the Washington diplomatic community. At these events, we ask that our members adhere to diplomatic protocol.  A jacket and tie are required for men, and women should wear comparable business attire. As with all YPFP events, please state your name and affiliation before asking a question.  Please address the speaker as "Mr. Ambassador" or "Madame Ambassador" and be sure your question is succinct, tactful, and not a comment. More interesting and useful information about diplomatic protocol can be found at www.state.gov/documents/organization/99260.pdf.