Panasia is an annual series of events that explore the cultural, socioeconomic and political circumstances of Asia and Asian America. PanAsia covers an array of topics focused on: 

1. Experiencing Asia and Asian America at its cultural core through music, drama, film, art, cuisine and literary media 
2. Exploring issues that mould the political, social, and cultural mindset of Asians and the Asian diasporas within the U.S. through exhibitions, panel discussions and lectures 
3. Distinguishing and solidifying the importance of each ethnic and cultural background that makes up the Asian American population in the U.S 
4. Understanding the Asian American experience within society, especially the pressures of discrimination and cultural dislocation faced as a minority group 

PanAsia founder Jay Monteverde believes that "One of the greatest concepts behind PanAsia is unity. As individual organizers, and as individual ethnicities, we can only do so much. But with PanAsia, and with a Pan Asian identity, we can shout together in a unified voice that people of Asian descents are three-dimensional human beings, with stories and histories that reflect the full range of human experience. We will celebrate, learn, and teach about our lives, our experiences; we will not be relegated to two-dimensional stereotypes; nor will we remain the invisible, nameless 'other' any longer." 

Mr. Monteverde's statement on the importance of unity highlights what individuals can do to contribute to the greater whole. Together as a political entity, Asian Americans have the potential to build an undeniable presence. At the same time - in building that political solidarity - it is important that the individual ethnicities within the Asian group retain their uniqueness and not be compressed into a homogeneous bloc; with each group having different histories, circumstances and struggles. This year in PanAsia, we feel that by gaining more insight into the various components of Asia and Asian America, participants will be able to appreciate Asia and Asian America in its entirety, and the larger social, political and economic pressures facing this group, especially the issues of discrimination and cultural dislocation. We hope that PanAsia 2003 will not only be a cultural experience of Asia and Asian America, but a springboard for greater political insight and dialogue on the issues facing Asia and Asian America. 

Brief History of PanAsia 
Inspired by Professor Ketelaar from the Center for East Asian Studies at the University of Chicago, Jay Monteverde founded PanAsia in 1999. The previous four series presented a total of 81 events with topics ranging from ethnic violence to music and poetry. Some events were attended by as many as 500 people from the University of Chicago, neighboring universities and the local Chicago community.