21 March 2026

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Our work in science engagement has never been easy. That is precisely why it is precious to us who engage in it. There is frustration and pain in many aspects but we all know that inconvenience is part of the journey and we are better human beings because we deployed sweat, tears and energy required to engage in work that matters to us and to the people we serve.

 

We could continue in this journey, content in the workings of our own institutions but science as a way of knowing  and discovering, is a universal value that fleshes itself out in the diverse cultures of the world. The Asia Pacific region is the most diverse region in the world and in the ASPAC family with our Asia-Pacific tradition of generosity and exchange, we have extraordinary access to each other’s wins and losses to learn the lessons that could make our work better, richer and more impactful.

 

ASPAC 2026 in NSM Thailand in Bangkok is the start of a rebooting of the way we have conducted our conferences. We have decided to be very deliberate in taking advantage of these conferences which we hold only every two years.  Your ASPAC EXCO has reframed and reformatted the ASPAC Conference which has served us well for decades but now need to shapeshift to suit a rapidly changing world. It is now largely designed to challenge us at ALL the professional levels of our institutions. It will also hold intentional spacetime for genuine and extended interaction among the attendees while valuing the sense of place where we will be which is Bangkok.

 

This is why we strongly encourage the members of our ASPAC family to attend this landmark conference. As much as you can and as many as you can from your own home institutions, let us all ground the meaning of what it is like to become better (more awesome!) science engagement professionals, together in Bangkok.

Many world events and developments are largely beyond our control but what we  have is the special work we have built and built upon and the special humans we work with, across borders, to make cracks for more light to come in. August 19-22 are the days for that reunion for this special light from the region to have a powwow to see what better futures we can conjure together. It is our fervent hope that we see many of you there.

 

Maria Isabel Garcia 
President, Asia Pacific Network of Science and Technology Centers (ASPAC)