Asian American and Pacific Islander Employment Program
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) proudly leads the effort to build a
diverse workforce and cultivate an inclusive work environment. We do this by developing
and implementing policies and programs that promote diversity and inclusion in our
workplace as we strive to ensure that VA’s workforce is drawn from the broadest
segments of society so that it is poised to meet the present and future needs of
our Nation's Veterans, their families, and survivors.
The VA Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Special Emphasis Program is designed
to develop and implement strategies to identify potential employment barriers in the
areas of recruitment, hiring, promotion, career development and retention affecting
the full participation of all race, ethnicity, and gender groups in VA’s workforce,
including AAPIs. When barriers are identified, viable solutions are developed to help
eliminate those barriers to employment and full participation at all levels of the
agency. See 29 Code of Federal
Regulation, Part 1614.102(b)(4) for additional information.
On October 14, 2009, President Barack Obama signed
Executive Order
13515 to restore the White House Advisory Commission and Interagency Working
Group to address issues concerning the AAPI community and increase their participation in federal programs. This
action renews previous Executive Orders, which established the President's
Advisory Commission and a federal Interagency Working Group on AAPIs, increased
economic opportunities for, and worked to improve the quality of life of AAPIs
living in the U.S. and Pacific Island jurisdictions.
AAPIs are the fastest growing racial group in the United States. According to the U.S. Census,
the Asian American population grew by 46% from 2000 to 2010, faster than any other major
racial group nationwide. There are now over 18.9 million Asian Americans living in the
United States. By 2060, AAPIs are expected to increase over four times as rapidly as the
total U.S. population and grow to more than 47 million.
As one of the most culturally and linguistically diverse groups in the country, AAPIs trace
their heritage to over 30 different countries and ethnic groups and speak over 100 languages
and dialects. Although AAPIs have helped build a strong and vibrant U.S., many still face
linguistic, economic, educational, and immigration barriers that often hinder them from
achieving their full potential. The “model minority myth” – the belief that all AAPIs are
educated, wealthy, and successful – has prevented AAPI communities from fully benefitting
from federal programs and resources available to vulnerable and underserved communities.
The following list represents many of the origins that are typically associated
with the term “Asian” or “Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander"
Asia:
- Bangladesh
- Bhutan
- Brunei Darussalam
- Cambodia
- China, People’s Rep. of China
- Taiwan, Republic of China
- China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR)
- China, Macau SAR
- Timor, Dem. Rep, of
- India
- Indonesia
- Japan
- Korea, Dem. People's Rep. of
- Korea, Rep. of
- Laos
- Malaysia
- Maldives
- Mongolia
- Myanmar (Burma)
- Nepal
- Pakistan
- Philippines
- Singapore
- Sri Lanka
- Thailand
- Vietnam
Pacific Islands:
- American Samoa
- Australia
- Christmas Island
- Coco (Keeling) Islands
- Cook Islands
- Easter Island
- Fiji Islands
- French Polynesia
- Hawaiian Islands
- Guam
- Kiribati
- Marshall Islands
- Midway Island
- Micronesia, Fed. States of
- Northern Mariana Island
- Nauru
- New Caledonia
- New Zealand
- Nauru
- Niue
- Norfolk Island
- Palau
- Papua New Guinea
- Samoa
- Solomon Islands
- Tonga
- Tuvalu
- Vanuatu
- Wake Island
- Wallis and Futuna Islands
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- Memorandum of Understanding between VA and FAPAC (PDF)
- Memorandum of Understanding between AAFEA and AAGEN (PDF)
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