The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation has established the Asia Security Initiative, through which approximately US$68 million in grants will be awarded over seven years to help increase the effectiveness of international cooperation in preventing conflict and promoting peace and security in Asia. 27 leading policy research institutes in Asia, including East Asia Institute, have received the generous support of the Foundation in pursuit of this common goal.

MacArthur Foundation and 27 Grantees will have the Inaugural MacArthur Grantees' Meeting and the Official Launch of the MacArthur Asia Security Initiative (ASI) from 28th to 29th May 2009 respectively at the Four Seasons Hotel, Singapore. The S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University is organizing this Inaugural Meeting.

On Day 1 of the meeting, the grantee institutes will introduce their research projects. On Day 2, led by the Program Directors of the three Core Institutions, grantee institutes will break into their respective clusters for a 1-hour roundtable discussion. The objective is to allow for more time to discuss respective research projects and identify opportunities for collaborations with other institutes. Upon the conclusion of the Inaugural Grantees’ Meeting, the Official Launch of MacArthur ASI will follow with a luncheon at noon, where the President of the MacArthur Foundation is expected to address the audience and speak about the initiative.