Since the East-West Center’s founding in 1960, China has lifted 745 million from poverty; 13 of 15 developing Asia economies moved from low- to middle-income, and the region amassed 50% of global consumer buying power. As U.S. and Asia recalibrate and the East-West Center (EWC) refreshes its brand, the research and educational center can lead with creative strategies reflecting the region’s dynamism and sophistication.

With 49% of the world’s illiterate adults living in South Asia, per UNESCO, digital literacy offers a pathway forward. One EWC program produces English-language trainers through university collaboration. Given that Asia has half of the world’s internet users and high mobile-phone penetration, could a tech-driven digital approach provide literacy training to millions, complementing EWC’s classroom successes?

Near Jaisalmer, India, in 2019, I met a desert camp owner who booked our party, a French tour and a Japanese wedding by speaking into a voice-to-text translation app. Unable to read or write, this enterprising farmer’s son boot-strapped digitally to operate a small resort using technology beyond the classroom. Females comprise two-thirds of the illiterate, and digital tools could improve access for girls and women struggling to attend schools — enabling lifelong learning anywhere.

EWC could bridge U.S. companies with Asia-Pacific culture and local wisdom to facilitate Glocalization (global thinking, local action).

The bestseller, “2030: How Today’s Biggest Trends Will Reshape the Future,” predicts Asia will soon be home to two-thirds of the world’s middle-class. For the first time, the global economy will be driven by non-Western populations. The U.S. could better compete by understanding heterogenous markets from Confucian, Hindi, Muslim, Buddhist, Asian, Christian, Pacific and indigenous cultures.

EWC could team with Commerce, Agriculture and other agencies to educate small- and medium-size enterprises on the cultural underpinnings of Asian preferences. This could help shape a domestic trade policy that benefits global multinationals and local businesses. This semi-commercial initiative might be unusual for EWC, but the benefit is clear: The U.S. Chamber of Commerce estimates enhancing small business exporting will increase U.S. GDP by $81 billion and 900,000 jobs.

By seeking fresh perspectives, EWC could raise its profile as a knowledge broker. The EWC biannual media conference, the only one with an Asia-Pacific-U.S. focus, attracts 400 from traditional and new media. This high-profile event also briefs journalists on critical issues, such as superpower competition for Pacific Islands resources and influence. An attitudes survey, conducted confidentially and released as The EWC Media Leaders Perceptions Poll, could become required reading for regional leaders. It also would brand EWC as an institution with its finger firmly on the region’s pulse.

By engaging culturally and historically, leaders may strengthen common ground and outcomes. There is no single “Asian” leadership style, and that diversity is growing. Asia Group’s Power Trends cites the rise of mid-size economic powers like Australia, South Korea and Vietnam as geopolitical players. Add to that the ascent of female leaders. What are the prevailing stereotypes of Asian women leaders? EWC’s programs could focus on implications of leadership diversity at the negotiating table.

Inspire giant leaps, rather than incremental change, by launching limited-time research grants. Asia-Pacific’s FANG (Facebook, Amazon, Netflix and Google) Generation seeks tech-savvy training leading to job-creating startups. Who better than EWC to convene the brains and talent of Asia-Pacific, engage its 60,000 alumni in academia, industry and government, and shoot for big ideas? Why not allocate 10% of the program budget to inspire breakthrough solutions and bring buzz to EWC?

Creative strategies, agility and speed can help EWC thrive as an incisive voice in the world’s most dynamic region.

Pat Loui is CEO of Omnitrak, a global provider of strategic data research; she led East-West Center alumni for five years, and was on the board of the Export-Import Bank of the U.S.