The Gender Studies Centre at the Faculty of Social Sciences, National University of Laos, hosts the 9th Biennial International Conference of the Japanese Studies Association of Southeast Asia in Vientiane from December 10-12, bringing together more than 160 scholars, researchers, and professionals from across Southeast Asia, Japan, and beyond to discuss the theme “Gender Perspectives for Southeast Asia and Japan: Pasts and Futures”. The conference was supported by the Japan Foundation, Toshiba International Foundation, and the Mitsui NUS Japanese Studies in Southeast Asia Endowment Fund.

 Representatives of Phase 2 of an agriculture project aimed at improving nutrition, carried out by Attapeu province’s Agriculture and Environment Department, on Monday give 1.7 billion kip to Xanxay district authorities for distribution to 710 families in 15 villages of the district. --Photo Pasaxon

Lao Red Cross staff hand out cash donations to families affected by recent storms in 22 villages of Nonghaet and Kham districts in Xiengkhouang province. The funds were provided by the Disaster Response Emergency Fund of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.                                                     --Photo Fongsamouth

During the celebration of the of 50th anniversary of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic in Champasak province last week, a Chinese businessman (right) presents 54 million kip and educational equipment to a representative of Khong district in Champasak province, to help improve teaching and learning outcomes in the district. --Photo Pasaxon