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Asian American/Pacific Islander Special Emphasis Program

The Asian American/Pacific Islander Special Emphasis Program provides focus on issues such as employment, retention, promotion, training, career development and advancement opportunities affecting Asian American and Pacific Islander applicants and employees at NRCS.

The Asian American/Pacific Islander Special Emphasis Program provides focus on issues such as employment, retention, promotion, training, career development and advancement opportunities affecting Asian American and Pacific Islander applicants and employees at NRCS.  An Asian American or Pacific Islander is a person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent.

Asian American Pacific Islander Information for Students:

Map of Asia

The following countries are part of the Far East, Southeast Asia, and Indian Subcontinent.

Afghanistan                   New Zealand

American Samoa          Niue

Australia                       Norfolk Islands

Bangledesh                  North Korea

Cambodia                    Northern Mariana Islands

China                           Pakistan

Cook Islands               Palau

Fiji                               Papua New Guinea

French Polynesia        Philippines

Guam                          Pitcairn Islands

Hawaii                        Singapore

Hong Kong                 Solomon Islands

India                           South Korea

Iran                            Taiwan

Japan                        Tajikistan

Kazakhstan               Thailand

Kiribati                       The Kingdom of EnenKio Atoll -- Wake Island

Malaysia                    Tonga

Maldives                    Turkmenistan

Marshall Islands        Tuvalu

Micronesia                 Uzbekistan

Mongolia                    Vanuatu

Myanmar                   Vietnam

Nauru                        Wake Island -- The Kingdom of Enen Kio Atoll

Nepal                        Wallis and Futuna

New Caledonia         Western Samoa (Independent State)

 

The Asian America/Pacific Islander Special Emphasis Program seeks to—

  1. Ensure that Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders receive equal treatment in all aspects of employment.
  2. Increase the number of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders employed in all professional, administrative, technical, clerical, and other categories, series, and grade levels.
  3. Provide opportunities to participate in training, career development, and leadership programs.
  4. Encourage the participation of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in all NRCS-sponsored programs and activities.
  5. Provide a network of professional support for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the workplace.
  6. Provide mentoring support to Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the workforce.
  7. Educate all NRCS employees by raising the level of awareness of Asian American and Pacific Islander workplace issues and concerns.
     

General Manual - Title 230 Equal Opportunity, Part 403 Special Emphasis Programs, Subpart E – Asian American / Pacific Islander Emphasis Program

May is Asian Pacific Heritage Month

2022 Theme: “Cultivating Togetherness through Sharing of Peace, Food and Wellness"

Graphic celebrating National Asian American/Pacific Islander Month

The month of May was chosen by Congress for 2 reasons to commemorate the first Japanese immigration to the United States on May 7th, 1843. On May 10, 1869, the Transcontinental Railroad was completed. Most of the labor consisted of about 20,000 Chinese Immigrants.

The AANHPI theme is Cultivating Togetherness through the Sharing of Peace, Food & Wellness. Due to the tragic events occurring throughout the world, the AANHPI SEPM community wanted to use AANHPI month to promote health & wellness through inspired Food & Yoga.

Be sure to support AANHPI inspired small business!

Be on the lookout for the sign-up information from FPAC Unpacked & the FPAC Friday Roundup. 

Observance #1 - Chef Edward Lee on Cultures & Cuisine- May 11th  (Pre-recorded Video) Discussing mixing of culture in cooking & recipe demonstration. Chef Edward Lee, renowned chef, restaurateur, and culinary director. Chef Lee specializes in cooking and curating southern cuisine with Korean influences from his heritage and childhood. : https://aglearn.usda.gov/course/view.php?id=58802

Be sure to check out his website: Home - Chef Edward Lee

Observance #2 - People of ASIA & Oceania by Wallace Jennings - Live Event 40 min presentation.  May 18th  https://aglearn.usda.gov/course/view.php?id=58806

Observance #3 - Yogi Amaresh Rajaratnum – History of Yoga followed by a Rhythmic Yoga Session and Mediation Technique.  May 25th https://aglearn.usda.gov/course/view.php?id=58807   

The month of May denotes several events in AAPI history, including the immigration of the first Japanese people to the United States May 7, 1843. The finalization of the transcontinental railroad was accomplished May 10, 1869 by predominantly Chinese immigrants. While these AAPI communities have roots that span the globe, their success stories are uniquely American. Generations of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have helped develop and defend the United States, often in the face of tremendous racial and cultural prejudice. Many AAPIs have played an integral role to help shape and defend this nation. President Donald Trump Proclaimed May 2018 as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

Calendar of Observances - Listing of Observances for 2023

Resources

Related Links

Damian Loeper

Asian American/Pacific Islander SEPM

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