Notes from the Field
Cambodia’s Women Local Leaders Take Charge
March 6, 2013
This year, the Cambodian Ministry of Women’s Affairs’ 5-year strategic plan, known as the Neary Rattanak III, which aims to ensure gender equality for women, comes to a close. While serious obstacles remain, women have made great strides in Cambodia, particularly in the area of political participation.
Topics: Governance | International Development | Washington DC | Women's Empowerment
Countries: Cambodia
Forensic Science Enhances Access to Justice and Human Rights Protection in Thailand
February 27, 2013
Among the array of international television series aired by cable networks in Thailand, “CSI,” “Bones,” and other dramas that highlight the work of forensic pathologists are especially popular. While Thai audiences are exposed to the dramatized investigative techniques applied by forensic specialists working in cooperation with law enforcement agencies…
Topics: Access to Justice | Conflict and Fragile Conditions | Governance | Human Rights | International Development | Law | Technology & Development
Countries: Thailand
Networking Essential to Women Entrepreneurs in Asia
February 27, 2013
While many nations limped into the new year under the weight of somber economic forecasts, strong GDP predictions gave Asia a reason to ring in the Year of the Snake on a more positive note. This is certainly good news, but also consider this: over half of Asia’s population is women who, according to UN estimates…
Topics: Economic Development | Washington DC | Women's Empowerment
Countries: Malaysia | Philippines | Thailand
How Can Burma’s Libraries Catalyze Development?
February 27, 2013
A delegation from The Asia Foundation, Electronic Information for Libraries (EIFL), and International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX) spent time in Burma (also known as Myanmar) last week to hear from citizens and representatives from government, civil society, and libraries…
Topics: Books for Asia | Education | Literacy | Technology & Development
Countries: Burma / Myanmar
Civil Society More Ready Than Ever to Play Role in Forging Peace in Mindanao
February 20, 2013
In a study I wrote a number of years ago, I quoted a peace activist in Mindanao lamenting the lack of success in ending the war between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). He was speaking in the wake of President Estrada’s 2000 “all-out war” offensive that overran fixed positions of the MILF.
Topics: Conflict and Fragile Conditions | Governance | International Development | Peacebuilding in Asia | Women's Empowerment
Countries: Philippines
2013 Philippine Midterm Elections to Test Voter Participation Reforms
February 20, 2013
As the Philippines gears up for 2013 midterm elections in May, last week in Zamboanga city, persons with disabilities came out in full force to discuss achievements and challenges ahead of election day. Up until now, this group has been wholly underrepresented at the polls.
Topics: Elections | Governance | Human Rights | Law
Countries: Philippines
International Perspectives: Asia’s Development Challenges
February 13, 2013
This week, the International Policy, Development and Practice Speaker Series [at UC Berkeley] welcomed David D. Arnold, the President of The Asia Foundation. Seen through the lens of his work at The Asia Foundation, Mr. Arnold delivered a talk on “Asia’s Development Challenges.”
Topics: Corruption | David D. Arnold | Governance | International Development | Washington DC
Mongolia: Asia’s Economic Standout Feels Weight of Corruption
February 6, 2013
Mongolia’s economy is booming, with growth trajectories showing it will be one of the world’s fastest growing economies again this year. It is consistently advancing in global rankings on governance and investment climate.
Topics: Corruption | Economic Development | Governance | Transparency
Countries: Mongolia
Shaking up Global Fight to End Human Trafficking
February 6, 2013
Over the weekend, academics and practitioners from across the U.S. gathered at the University of Southern California for a conference that aimed to challenge some of the bedrock assumptions and rhetoric that underpin the movement against trafficking in persons.
Topics: Governance | Human Rights | International Development | Trafficking | Washington DC | Women's Empowerment
In Conversation with Afghan Museum Director Omara Khan Masoudi
January 23, 2013
One of the world’s most prominent experts in Afghan art, Mr. Omara Khan Masoudi, director of the National Museum of Afghanistan in Kabul, was in San Francisco recently on a two-week exchange at the Asian Art Museum as an Asia Foundation Brayton Wilbur, Jr. Fellow in Asian Art.
Topics: Conflict and Fragile Conditions | Exchanges | Peacebuilding in Asia
Countries: Afghanistan

