The U.S. Embassy was pleased to partially fund and assist in the arrangements enabling several prominent Lao to participate in the first ever Lao Studies Conference, held at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois, May 20-22.

The participants, who presented papers on various aspects of Lao cultural life, included:

Thongsa Sayavongkhamdy, Director Museums and Archaeology, Lao PDR Ministry of Information and Culture.

Viengkeo Souksavatdy, Head of Division of Archaeological Research, Department of Museums and Archaeology, Lao PDR Ministry of Information and Culture.

Dr. Souneth Photisane, Professor of Archeology, Mahasarakam University, Thailand, and former Director General, Lao National Musem, Vientiane.

Vanpheng Keophanna, Deputy Director, Lao National Museum, Luang Prabang.

Dara Khanlaya, Head, Preservation of Lao Manuscripts, Lao National Library (in cooperation with ongoing Lao-German MSS project).

Douangdouane Bounyavong, Comparative Study of the Political Ideology Expressed in Thao Hung Epic.

Chaleunxay Phommavongsa, Black and White Studio, Vientiane.

The First International Conference on Lao Studies was organized by the Center for Southeast Asian Studies of Northern Illinois University. The main objective of the conference was to provide an international forum for scholars to present and discuss various aspects of Lao studies. The conference was attended by over 200 American professors and students who teach and study about Laos and its peoples, culture, history, and language.