The World Association for Island Studies(WAIS) is a non-political, non-profit, scholarly organization dedicated to improve understanding among islands. The Research Center for Islands at Cheju National University, Jeju Islands, South Korea, forms the background for the establishment of WAIS.

The purpose of WAIS is to promote educational and professional exchanges, to do comparative studies between continents and islands and to strengthen mutual friendship and ties among islands. Focusing on island-related studies, the exchanges inclued most academic fields among them, the humanities, the social sciences, economics, business, tourism, environment and technologies, to list a few.

WAIS hosts an annual World Island Conference(WIC) in which scholars can share their knowledge, research and experiences through presentations and discussions. Since November, 1997, there have been 10 WICs.
WAIS has published The Journal of Island Studiessince May, 1998. The Journal is a scholarly annals which encourages island-related research. Papers on island-related subjects may be submitted for publication to the Editor and editorial staff members.
WAIS has also published international magazine titled "Peace Island"since December, 2003 that contribute to promoting peace traditions and cultures among islands and cities of the world.

The Chair and Board of WAIS are elected by the members. They will manage the affairs of the organization with the assistance of the Advisory Council. The Executive Committee consists of President, Vice-President, General Secretary and Vice-General Secretary. Dr. Chang Hoon Ko is in charge of WAIS as current President.
Address : World Association for Island Studies
Cheju National University
1 Ara-dong, Jeju City
Jeju-do 690-756 South Korea
Telephone : 82-64-756-2968
FAX : 82-64-754-2936
Homepage : WWW.WORLDPEACEISLAND.ORG
President : Chang-hoon Ko, Ph. D. Professor, Department of Public Administration, Cheju National University
E-mail : mrsom99@hotmail.com or mrsom016@hanmail.net

Membership is open to all individuals and institutions interested in islands and relations between the continents and islands. Membership in WAIS entitles individuals and institutions to participate in WAIS activities, to receive the Journal of Island Studies and Peaceisland, as well as to gain access to a network of scholars and experts on island matters.

WAIS is primarily funded by membership dues, but invites contributions in support of its activities to promote educational and cultural exchanges and build a better understanding of island cultures, societies, histories and contemporary issues.