In Asia: Weekly Insight and Features from Asia

Democratic transition in Burma/Myanmar has so far been peaceful, rapid, and encouraging. The world is watching in anticipation to see whether these developments will result in greater political participation and economic opportunity for the nation’s people. On April 2 at California State University in Sacramento, Asia Foundation President David Arnold joins the University’s distinguished experts, [...]

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The Asia Foundation in Thailand just released a new animation series that raises public understanding of the role of forensic investigation in criminal justice administration. Forensic investigation holds special significance in Thailand, where allegations of human rights abuse routinely arise. Originally intended to educate young people about forensic investigation, the films are now used by [...]

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On Monday, March 11, 2013, The Asia Foundation and the U.S. Department of State launched a new report, Access to Trade and Growth of Women’s SMEs in APEC Developing Economies, at the United Nations in New York. The report reveals that while women’s contribution to economies is increasing, persistent barriers exist that limit the ability [...]

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USAID honored The Asia Foundation’s in-house film “Visualizing Afghanistan: A Survey of the Afghan People  last week at its Social Media Week 2013 event, “#Popcorn + International Development,” held at USAID Headquarters in Washington, D.C. “Visualizing Afghanistan” allows users to interact with survey data digitally, exploring by region, year, or specific survey questions, and provides [...]

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On March 13, former Asia Foundation president and member of Congress, Douglas Bereuter, will take on one of the world’s most critical challenges – global poverty and food sustainability – at the annual Matsui Lecture at UC Berkeley. Among other achievements, Bereuter is well-known for his for global hunger and agriculture initiatives, and started the [...]

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Violence in Southern Thailand escalated this week when a roadside bomb killed five soldiers, and gunmen stormed a military base, reigniting a decades-old conflict that has plagued the region and left more than 5,000 dead. For context on the conflict, see an Asia Foundation survey that gives rare insight into the citizens of the South, [...]

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Mongolia was again ranked the world’s fastest growing economy this year, but local businesses still struggle under rampant corruption, according to a just-released Asia Foundation report. Until now, there has been no data about the pervasiveness of corrupt practices affecting business-government relations in Mongolia. Foundation experts blog this week about what this means for continued [...]

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The Asia Foundation is now accepting applications for LankaCorps, a unique fellowship opportunity for young leaders of Sri Lankan heritage to professionally engage in development activities in Sri Lanka. Those who are selected will be placed across the country with host organizations in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors for six months.  Learn how to [...]

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The just-released Open Budget Survey 2012 ranks Afghanistan as the second greatest improver out of 100 countries in budget transparency. South Korea leads among Asian countries as having the most transparent budget, followed by India, Indonesia, and Afghanistan. The Survey also reveals that the national budgets of 77 of the 100 countries assessed fail to [...]

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On January 31, Asia Foundation regional cooperation director and prominent Southeast Asia expert, John Brandon, will join experts for a discussion at the American University in Washington, D.C., on ASEAN’s progress, setbacks, prospects, and policy recommendations for 2013 and beyond. Read Brandon’s past blogs on this and more.

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