On Flawless: Lessons in Looks and Culture from the K-Beauty Capital
6 PM to 8 PM PT
DPR Construction, 945 Front St, San Francisco, CA
Join The Asia Foundation as we welcome author and journalist Elise Hu to celebrate the release of her non-fiction debut, Flawless: Lessons in Looks and Culture from the K-Beauty Capital. Elise will be joined by Jane Sloane, senior director for Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality at The Asia Foundation. They will examine how gender inequality erodes opportunities for social, political, cultural, and economic advancement. Jane will also discuss the Foundation’s work supporting women entrepreneurs in South Korea. The conversation will be moderated by Mina Kim, host of KQED’s The Forum.
The book is a journalistic exploration of the global rise of Korean beauty (skincare, cosmetics, surgery) alongside the cultural spread of Hallyu, the Korean cultural wave. It raises questions about the enduring power of standardized beauty, how that intersects with commercial imperatives, and where we go from here when technology is making our exteriors so vital. As an Asian-American woman with a background in geopolitical reporting, Elise highlights the voices and insights from the hundreds of Korean women she interviewed to change what empowerment looks and feels like. Mina Kim will talk with Elise about the book and how we can change appearance expectations and claim a more inclusive, intersectional, and community-centered ethic around “self-care.”
Buy the book and get it signed by Elise at the event! Our local bookstore partner, Sausalito Books by the Bay, will be on hand with hardcover copies available for signing.
The Asia Foundation, in collaboration with the Royal Thai Embassy, commemorated 190 years of United States–Thai diplomacy on March 20, 2023. Check out the discussion on the accomplishments, challenges, and future of United States–Thai relations and prospects for the alliance in the 21st century.
Featuring
Senator Tammy Duckworth, D-IL (pre-recorded video remarks) H.E. Tanee Sangrat, Ambassador, Royal Thai Embassy Melissa Brown, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Southeast Asia, U.S. Department of State Larry Redmon, Former U.S. Military Attache, U.S. Embassy Bangkok and Consultant for Thai–American Security Affairs Pongphisoot Busbarat, Assistant Dean & Assistant Professor, Department of International Relations, Chulalongkorn University and Director of ISIS Thailand Catharin Dalpino, Professor Emeritus, Georgetown University John Brandon, Senior Director, International Relations, The Asia Foundation
by The Asia Foundation | February 9, 2023 | Events
The Asia Foundation, UN Women, and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade are pleased to invite you to a virtual reflection session that will provide an overview of a recent regional convening—the Bali Care Economy Dialogue—that took place in November 2022 to leverage global momentum around transforming the care economy while elevating perspectives on care from Asia and the Pacific. Bali Care Economy Dialogue partners included the Center for Global Development, WeProsper Global Coalition, UN Women, Oxfam, International Development Research Centre, and the Global Alliance for Care with support from the United States Department of State’s Secretary’s Office of Global Women’s Issues.
Participants will hear about outcomes and actionable policies that emerged from the Bali Care Economy Dialogue, as well as key findings from a new white paper on building a resilient care ecosystem in Asia and the Pacific.
Featuring
Susan Thomas, National Health Coordinator, Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) Laisa Bulatale, Team Leader, Fiji Women’s Rights Movement Kripa Basnyat, National Project Coordinator, International Labour Organization Joshco Wakaniyasi, Manager, Inclusive Development, Humanitarian Resilience Development Unit, Pacific Disability Forum Nadira Yusoff, Founder and CEO, Kiddocare Deanne Weir, Asia Foundation Trustee Stephanie Fahey, Asia Foundation Trustee Cecilia Tinonin, Statistics Specialist, UN Women Sarah Knibbs, Regional Director, UN Women Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific Patricia Mathias, Head, Gender Platform, AVPN Stephanie Copus Campbell, Ambassador for Gender Equality, Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs;
Moderator Jane Sloane, Senior Director, Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality, The Asia Foundation
The Asia Foundation and the U.S. Department of State’s Secretary’s Office of Global Women’s Issues are pleased to announce a virtual reflection session that will provide an overview of a recent regional convening—the Bali Care Economy Dialogue—that took place in November 2022 to leverage global momentum around transforming the care economy while elevating perspectives on care from Asia and the Pacific. Bali Care Dialogue partners included the Center for Global Development, WeProsper Global Coalition, UN Women, Oxfam, IDRC, and the Global Alliance for Care with support from the U.S. Department of State’s Secretary’s Office of Global Women’s Issues.
Participants will hear about outcomes and actionable policies that emerged from the Bali Care Economy Dialogue, as well as key findings from a new white paper on building a resilient care ecosystem in Asia and the Pacific.
Featuring Jane Sloane,Senior Director, Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality, The Asia Foundation
Dr. Bama Athreya, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Hub and Inclusive Development Hub, Bureau for Development, Democracy, and Innovation, U.S. Agency for International Development Kate Francis, Senior Gender Advisor, Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality, The Asia Foundation Nadine Gasman, President of Inmujeres, Global Alliance for Care Fish Ip, Regional Coordinator for Asia, International Domestic Workers Federation Sumitra Mishra, Executive Director, Mobile Creches for Working Mothers’ Children Susan Nio, Co-Founder, LoveCare Megan O’Donnell, Policy Fellow and Assistant Director for Gender, Center for Global Development Ankita Panda, Program Advisor, Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality, The Asia Foundation Susan Thomas, National Health Coordinator, Self-Employed Women’s Association Joshco Wakaniyasi, Manager, Inclusive Development, Pacific Disability Forum Varina Winder, Senior Advisor, and Deputy Senior Official, U.S. Department of State’s Secretary’s Office of Global Women’s Issues
World Affairs Auditorium 312 Sutter Street, Suite 200 San Francisco, CA
Extreme poverty globally and homelessness in the Bay Area are two massive societal challenges which hold people back from achieving their potential – but there is hope. In the face of enormous social and economic challenges, how are environments for success created? What are the roles of social innovation and holistic approaches in responding to public challenges at scale?
Join World Affairs, in collaboration with The Asia Foundation, to hear from leading practitioners on the frontlines empowering poor and marginalized people, internationally and here in our own region. To mark the launch of Scott MacMillan’s new book Hope Over Fate: Fazle Hasan Abed and the Science of Ending Global Poverty, our panel will discuss the importance of hope, innovative approaches and holistic support for people in crisis.
“Hope Over Fate” chronicles Fazle Hasan Abed’s life work to empower people to rise from poverty. MacMillan shares the little-known story of a former finance executive turned NGO founder described by Nicholas Kristof of The New York Times as “one of the unsung heroes of modern times.” With almost no experience in relief aid, Abed founded BRAC, originally the Bangladesh Rehabilitation Assistance Committee, in 1972, aiming to help a few thousand war refugees. Motivated by dispelling the notion of poverty being insurmountable, Abed applied his business background to social challenges and changed the lives of millions. BRAC, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, now reaches over 100 million of the world’s poorest people across Asia and Africa.
This story is a testament to the universal idea that hope itself is critical to overcoming poverty and insecurity. Hear how this works in practice from MacMillan; Kazi Faisal Bin Seraj, The Asia Foundation’s country representative in Bangladesh; and Alisa Albee, Larkin Street Youth Services’ division director of client practice and clinical services here in San Francisco.
A book signing and reception with drinks at 7:00 PM will follow the main program.
Featuring
Scott MacMillan, Author & Director of Learning and Innovation, BRAC USA
Alisa Albee, Division Director of Client Practice and Clinical Services, Larkin Street Youth Services
South Korea is transitioning to the era of living with Covid under a new South Korean administration, with moderate growth expected in 2022 led by semiconductors exports. While some larger firms are doing relatively well, there is a persistent perception that many in South Korea are being left behind, including non-export sectors, young people with fewer prospects for upward mobility, lower productivity of small and medium businesses, as well as inadequate safety nets for the elderly and other vulnerable groups. While many policy announcements have been made, Koreans continue to live with unhealthy air and greenhouse emissions per capita well above the OECD average.
The recent rise of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards in South Korea could be a once-in-a-generation opportunity to address social and environmental challenges, but “greenwashing” (using ESG more for marketing rather than real social impact) and lack of regulatory clarity remain as key barriers. Compounding the confusion is the proliferation of ESG standards, with more than 600 practiced in Korea. To address systemic ESG challenges and opportunities for South Korea, leaders from the public, private, and academic sectors gathered to formulate ESG policy reform recommendations, including a presentation at the National Assembly this year. The ESG report showcases a case study in East Asia for private investors interested in the mobilization of responsible capital in the region as well as the substance and process of policy reforms.
Featuring
Jinho Chung, Chairman and CEO, The Wells Investment Kwang Kim, Country Representative, Korea, The Asia Foundation Danny Leipziger, Managing Director of The Growth Dialogue and Professor of Practice of International Business, George Washington University Randall S. Jones, Non-resident Distinguished Fellow and Professional Fellow, Korea Economic Institute and Columbia University’s Center on Japanese Economy and Business Troy Stangarone, Senior Director and Fellow, Korea Economic Institute John Brandon,Senior Director, International Relations Programs Associate Director, The Asia Foundation
The Pacific Islands occupy a vast oceanic region that covers almost 20 percent of the Earth’s surface and is home to the world’s largest concentration of microstates. Its three ethno-geographic subregions of Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia include ten sovereign states, five freely-associated states, and eight dependent territories. While Pacific Islands countries vary widely in population, economic circumstances, development, political status, and stability, they face several common challenges, each amplified by the devastating impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. These challenges include political leadership and regionalism, peace and security, economic development, climate change, natural disasters, oceans and the environment, and technology and connectivity.
Building on The Asia Foundation’s 30 years of experience in the Pacific and our remote programming over the past two years, we established a new office in Suva, Fiji, in 2022. Join the Foundation’s Regional Representative for Pacific Islands Sandra Kraushaar for a virtual discussion of recent developments in the Pacific Islands and an update on the Foundation’s ongoing initiatives that support Pacific solutions to Pacific challenges through our three priority areas—navigating geopolitics and regionalism, women’s rights and leadership, and Pacific resilience.
Featuring
Sandra Kraushaar, Regional Representative, Pacific Islands, The Asia Foundation
Located in the center of the Asia-Pacific region, Laos faces many challenges as one of Asia’s least developed economies and Southeast Asia’s only landlocked country. Its geographic location makes Laos extremely vulnerable to climate change and other environmental challenges. While Laos had success managing the early outbreak of Covid-19, the impacts of pandemic lockdowns and closures of businesses in 2021 have severely impacted the country’s fledgling economy, including its many agricultural and small enterprises. It is also true that over the past decade, Laos has greatly improved its education system, environmental policies, and infrastructure. The National Assembly has become increasingly active. On a regional level, Laos is an active member of ASEAN and recently participated in the U.S.-ASEAN Special Summit in Washington, DC.
On the heels of the Laos visit of U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, the highest-ranking official to visit the country since 2016, The Asia Foundation is pleased to present a discussion with Todd Wassel, our country representative in Laos. Todd will provide an update on the critical issues in Laos from his vantage point in Vientiane. He will also discuss recent initiatives to provide legal aid, advance women’s empowerment, and improve environmental management in the country.
Featuring
Todd Wassel, Country Representative, Laos, The Asia Foundation
Despite differences in political ideology, relations between South Korea, the United States, and Vietnam have deepened and evolved since formal diplomatic relations with Vietnam were established more than a quarter-century ago. Overlapping strategic and economic interests have led the three countries to expand ties across a wide spectrum of issues. While economic cooperation has been the main driver of these deepening relations, security issues, especially nontraditional security issues, are notable avenues for cooperation moving forward. Prospects for trilateral relations between the three countries are likely to expand because of challenges and opportunities brought about by unprecedented global and regional dynamics following the Covid-19 pandemic. In December 2021, the first-ever trilateral dialogue between scholars, policymakers, and government officials (Track 1.5) from South Korea, the United States, and Vietnam was held to discuss the political, security, economic, and trade interests that are central to relations between these three countries. This report is based on the discussion of the 2021 trilateral dialogue.
Featuring
Dr. Kang Seonju, Professor, Department of Economy, Trade, and Development Studies, Korea National Diplomatic Academy-Institute of Foreign Affairs and National Security
Adam Schwarz, CEO, Asia Group Advisors
Dr. Vo Tri Thanh, Former Deputy Director-General, Vietnam Central Institute for Economic Management;
Moderator
John Brandon, Senior Director, International Relations Programs and Washington, DC Associate Director, The Asia Foundation
The Asia-Pacific is the most disaster-prone region in the world, a status made worse by the increasing impacts of climate change, ranging from increased intensity and frequency of extreme weather events, including heavy rains and cyclones, often resulting in massive floods, landslides, and storm surge; as well as other severe climatic events, such as heatwaves and droughts. This region is home to half of the world’s top 10 countries at the greatest risk from climate change. Indeed, it is estimated that nearly half of the global economic losses from climate-related disasters will occur in this region in the years to come.
Since 1990, The Asia Foundation has worked with local partners to strengthen climate resilience planning and responses to climate challenges. Our goal is to cultivate leadership within local and national governments and civil society, promote climate-resilient infrastructure in the region through knowledge and best practices sharing, build the capacity of vulnerable communities, particularly women, and engage the private sector in disaster risk reduction and management.
On Wednesday, June 15, please join us for a discussion with environmental experts from Indonesia, Laos, and Nepal, who will share how they are helping to build climate resilience in Asia through diversified project activities, and their policy recommendations for more effective environmental and climate governance in the region.
Featuring:
Pradip Khatiwada, Founder and Executive Director, Youth Innovation Lab, Nepal
Fira Tiyasning Tri Utami, Director of Program and Partnership, Sikola Mombine Foundation, Indonesia
Sopavanh Rassapong, Senior Environment Program Officer, The Asia Foundation, Laos
Moderated by:
Kim J. DeRidder, Director of Environment and Climate Action Programs, The Asia Foundation
