SEAA@25 SHAPING FUTURES: BUILDING LEGACIES AND SOLIDARITIES
*intergenerational, inter-regional dynamism through mentoring
SHAPING FUTURES AS OUR COMMON GROUND
In July 2025, SEAA and Seoul National University Department of Anthropology collaborated on
a highly successful conference, “Shaping Futures: East Asia as Practice.” Thinking ahead to the
25th anniversary of the founding of SEAA, we take the Seoul conference–its emphasis on
mentorship and close collaboration among colleagues across regions–as inspiration. The task of
shaping futures is a crucial responsibility for anthropologists, advancing the ongoing
intergenerational, inter-regional dynamism that creates our legacy. We foreground
mentoring–both vertical and lateral–as central to the processes and structure of this future-
focused anniversary celebration. In short, we take “shaping futures” as an assertion, a
responsibility, a platform for trans-national community-building, and a call to action.
SHAPING FUTURES AS KULEANA
The Hawaiian concept of kuleana (responsibility and stewardship) is useful here, linking futures
directly to communities of which we are a part – scholars, institutions, research sites. Shaping
dynamic futures arises through ties of kuleana, one to another, group to place. In area-studies
linked scholarly communities, such as SEAA, those places include ephemeral meeting grounds
(conferences, meetings), and perhaps more importantly, research sites to which we hold deep
obligation.
WHY SHAPING FUTURES AS A THEME FOR SEAA@25
Many anniversary celebrations focus on past accomplishments. With shaping futures, we not
only celebrate the past, but commit to a vibrant future that responds to constantly changing
conditions. The celebration of SEAA@25 gives us the opportunity to pay it forward,
envisioning a future of cross-generational leadership and empathic mentorship that builds
legacies across space, time, regions, institutions, and people.
Through SHAPING FUTURES, we invest in a legacy that expands possibilities for coming
generations.
THE SEAA@25 LEGACY FUND IS AN INVESTMENT IN THE FUTURE
Come invest in a legacy that expands possibilities for future generations.
Donate today to the SEAA@25 Legacy Fund, part of a 25th-year celebration.
Your gift may be anonymous. It may be given in honor of someone, too.
Ensure that our legacy means paying it forward! Besides online donations, checks may be sent (see below).
DURATION OF THE FUND DRIVE: from now until the end of 2026
GOALS:
- MONETARY – it is difficult to put a monetary goal to this fundraising effort, because of the designated use which is flexible in terms of the number of students and other activities we can support.
- PARTICIPATION – however, it is our goal to generate near-100% participation of faculty members. Donation amounts can vary by ability.
WHERE WILL THE MONEY GO?
- We have set as a priority supporting graduate students and junior scholars – i.e. the future of SEAA.
- The legacy fund will be used to finance multiple graduate student membership in AAA/SEAA through a drawing to be held at the SEAA business meeting of 2026.
- In subsequent years, more graduate student AAA/SEAA memberships may be given as budget allows (i.e. money generated through this fund drive)
- Other uses may include subsidies for graduate student-junior scholar activities, conference registration.
- In all cases, what we are able to give away is in direct proportion to what we can collect through donations.
- Each of these is an investment in the future, as a shared responsibility of us as individuals and as a group.
Visit the donations page at https://fundraise.givesmart.com/form/VmPoDQ?vid=1k8zvm
Check writers should send to the address, below, with “SEAA@25” on the memo line
AND FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO ENABLE THEIR GENEROSITY THROUGH USING
IRA FUNDS, ETC. Here is the necessary information for tax purposes (IRS id 53-0246691)
American Anthropological Association
c/o Finance, SEAA25
2300 Clarendon Blvd, Suite 210
Arlington, VA 22201
Please celebrate SEAA’s 25 years of activity and join us by investing in our future!!!
MANY THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR DONATIONS, LARGE AND SMALL!!