The Asia Foundation

The Foundation’s long-term presence and extensive networks with local leaders, government, and organizations, allows us to interact with key actors and support programs in highly challenging and sensitive environments. This ongoing presence, combined with sophisticated analysis and country expertise, allows the Foundation to identify the critical issues, and design innovative, strategic programs that address conflict.

In countries with ongoing violent conflicts, the Foundation works closely with local partners to address the long-term drivers of conflict by supporting local efforts to reform discriminatory governance practices and policies that alienate minority populations, and expanding participation in the political process to marginalized groups.  In the Philippines and Thailand, the Foundation supports local efforts to resolve ongoing conflicts between governments and insurgent movements or minority populations by strengthening support for peace processes, facilitating dialogue between government and disaffected groups, and involving new players in the process.  In Afghanistan and Timor-Leste, Foundation programs are helping to strengthen fragile state institutions where governance failures are likely to create an environment more conducive to violent conflict and the rise of armed non-state actors.  In Sri Lanka, the Philippines, and Nepal, the Foundation is working with local partners to address problems with local governance, public participation, human rights, and dispute resolution in conflict-affected regions, to improve local conditions and allow disaffected minority populations more influence over local affairs.  Foundation programs also support efforts to improve the prospects for conflict-affected populations, through greater representation in the political system, and expanded access to education and economic opportunities.