A Half Century Voyage Beyond the Vietnam War
The Rajawali Foundation Institute for Asia invites you to a forum discussion featuring Academy Award-winning filmmaker Oliver Stone, and renowned Vietnamese American writer and war survivor Le Ly Hayslip. This discussion will be moderated by Dr. Drew Gilpin Faust, President Emerita Harvard University, and Arthur Kingsley Porter University Research Professor.
This event is open to Harvard ID holders only and is co-sponsored by the Global Vietnam Wars Studies Initiative, Rajawali Foundation Institute for Asia, and Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation
Please register with a valid Harvard email address to attend in-person. All JFK Jr. Forums are publicly livestreamed on our YouTube channel.
In-Person Event
John F. Kennedy Jr. Forum
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm EDT
As we approach 2025, the 50th year remembrance of the Vietnam War, join us at the Harvard Kennedy School’s John F. Kennedy Jr. Forum on September 18th for a special event featuring acclaimed filmmaker Oliver Stone and renowned Vietnamese American writer and war survivor Le Ly Hayslip. This event aims to uncover new facts about war history and fostering dialogue across diverse communities.
Hayslip and Stone, whose unique bond formed through shared war experiences, have collaborated on powerful works like the memoir “When Heaven and Earth Changed Places” and its film adaptation “Heaven and Earth.” The panel will delve into the transformative power of personal narratives, literature, and cinema, shedding light on often-overlooked perspectives, particularly those of women. The discussion aims to reshape our understanding of the war and its legacies, explore the unseen human experience during armed conflict, particularly internal strife, and contemplate the future for war participants, their descendants, and the global community.
This event will be moderated by Professor Drew Faust, President Emerita of Harvard University and the Arthur Kingsley Porter University Professor and hosted by the Global Vietnam Wars Studies Initiative, part of the Rajawali Foundation Institute for Asia. It will kick off a series of commemorative events at Harvard marking the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War, exploring uncharted territories in the complexities and introspective impacts of the conflict.
Accessibility
The IOP encourages persons with disabilities to participate in our programs. If you have questions about accommodations or the physical access provided, please contact 617-495-1360 or iop_info@hks.harvard.edu in advance of the event. The Forum is currently closed to those without a Harvard ID, and RSVPs are required for in-person attendance.