In Asia: Weekly Insight and Features from Asia

More than 5,000 people have been killed and thousands more injured in Thailand’s southernmost provinces since a decades-long separatist Muslim insurgency reignited in January 2004. The predominantly Muslim southern region has a long history…

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On October 19, The Asia Foundation held the Manila launch of the book, Dynamics of Gender and Conflict in Mindanao, written by conflict experts Rufa Guiam and Leslie Dwyer.

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Amid concerns over its rising deficit, Malaysia’s Prime Minister Najib Razak unveiled the 2013 Budget last month – the last before national elections expected next year. The latest budget is part of a series of efforts started by the government in the 1990s to keep Malaysia on track…

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On September 23, a Vietnamese organization arranged simultaneous flash mobs in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to promote lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender rights. A few days later, another organization helped a youth group hold a festival to promote anti-corruption among students…

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This past week, Asia Foundation President David D. Arnold led an official delegation to Burma (also known as Myanmar). During this historic visit, President Arnold called on the President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar U Thein Sein in Nay Pyi Taw on October 23…

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On October 24, in Nay Pyi Taw, Burma, The Asia Foundation presented a special collection of more than 600 volumes to the Burmese Parliament to help provide information about key democracy and development issues facing the country. The event was attended by U Khin Aung Mint, speaker of the Upper House; Thura U Shwe Mann, [...]

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A sea change is unfolding in the world of foreign aid. Emerging powers, particularly China and India, are challenging longstanding aid principles held by the United States, the United Kingdom, and other established donors. Ironically, amid this shifting landscape, opportunities exist for increased cooperation between established and emerging aid providers, including in the field of governance. Such cooperation would not only help to address pressing humanitarian challenges in Asia, but could improve the quality and impact of aid throughout the developing world.

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TIME Magazine “Hero of the Environment” and prominent Chinese grassroots leader, Zhao Zhong, recently spoke at The Asia Foundation’s headquarters in San Francisco on working with governments and corporations to increase accountability in order to protect China’s rivers.

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Last week, China launched the fourth census of its environmental protection industry. This census will gather detailed demographic information on businesses that manufacture environmentally-friendly products, such as energy-saving technologies…

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Earlier this month, I attended the 2012 IMF-World Bank annual meeting in Tokyo for the first time and, as expected, talks about the eurozone crisis dominated discussions. However, some very compelling conversations revolving around Asia’s role in this environment and beyond…

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