In Asia: Weekly Insight and Features from Asia

A summary of an address delivered at the American Bar Association’s Business Law Section Annual Meeting, San Francisco, August 2007.

In 2009, Japan will introduce a jury system in its courts. For the new system to work, Japanese will have to overcome deep-rooted cultural obstacles, including a reluctance to express opinions in public, to argue with one another, or to question authority. Polls show that more than 80 percent of the Japanese public are dreading the change and do not want to serve as jurors.  This example illustrates some of the key features underlying public attitudes towards law, government, citizen responsibility and, by extension, the nonprofit sector in East Asia as compared to the United States.

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On July 27, 2007, the White House announced the conclusion of a technical agreement between the United States and India, which would for the first time allow civil nuclear cooperation between the two countries. The landmark 123 Agreement sets a framework for the two countries to fully cooperate on civil nuclear initiatives such as research and development, and trade in nuclear technologies.  Before nuclear cooperation can begin, India needs to finalize separate agreements with the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the nuclear watch-dog, and the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) ” a cartel of nations that export nuclear material. Then, U.S. lawmakers need to approve the agreement.

While India’s cabinet has signed off on the technical agreement, lawmakers from the communist parties ” known as the Left Front (who support the Manmohan Singh Government) and BJP, the Hindu nationalist party (currently in opposition), have opposed the deal, although on different grounds.

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Nearly three years have passed since a Tsunami devastated Sri Lanka’s eastern, southern, and northern coasts. In addition to supporting other recovery activities, The Asia Foundation’s Books for Asia program has helped to rebuild destroyed school and public libraries by providing 100,000 new, high-quality textbooks and children’s books.  

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In Mongolia, resources for rural education have deteriorated badly since the early 1990′s. Materials for education in science and the English language are especially scarce and teaching methods remain rooted in rote memorization, not in experiential education, which can be especially effective in teaching the sciences. Mongolian scientists’ impact on environmental policies and management in the region is increasing, but to adequately communicate their findings, they must have a firm command of a foreign language, particularly English (already adopted as Mongolia’s “second” language).  

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On Friday, September 7th 600 children’s books will be presented to daycare centers in Davao City. The books are being donated by The Asia Foundation’s Books for Asia program to needy child-care centers in cooperation with The Kiwanis International Philippine South District. Since 2004, The Asia Foundation has partnered with The Kiwanis International Philippine South District to deliver 65,000 books to 1,500 schools to spread literacy throughout the Visayas and Mindanao region.

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