The Asia Foundation

Research study on Access to Justice in urban slums to understand the role of dispute resolution processes and improving access to assets for the urban poor.

Project to promote access to safe drinking water through community partnerships with local small businesses in Jessore and Rangpur district.

Long-term technical assistance to local partner organizations by a senior Canadian specialist in governance and elections.

National program planning study on access to justice in Bangladesh, in collaboration with the United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID).

KATALYST local economic governance program to strengthen the private sector in rural Bangladesh by enhancing the capacity of business associations (samities) to represent member interests and to more effectively engage with public agencies and officials.

Support for a pilot legal empowerment project with a focus on citizen participation in local
water management committees.

Pilot legal empowerment project with a focus on citizen participation in local water management committees.

Release of findings and recommendations of companion reports compiled in "America's Role in Asia: Asian and American Views," with public events in Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Support for foreign policy experts from Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka to attend a regional conference in New Delhi to discuss America’s Role in Asia.

Two-month fellowships for a staff person from the Korean International Cooperation Agency and an advanced graduate student to work on The Asia Foundation's projects in developing Asian countries (Bangladesh and the Philippines).

Five Korean development practitioners from government and NGO agencies were awarded fellowships to work in projects in developing Asian countries (Thailand, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam) for up to three months.

Domestic election monitoring and voter and civic education in connection with the August 2008 city corporation elections.

Production of a documentary film on citizen rights and participation in governance—Kansat:
The Voice of the People.

Production of a documentary film on citizen rights and participation in governance—Kansat: The Voice of the People.

Community-oriented policing programs to improve public security and reshape traditional police management and operational strategies through citizen/police collaboration.

Community-oriented policing programs to promote improved public security and reshape traditional police management and operational strategies by facilitating collaborative working relations between citizens and police.

Community-oriented policing programs to promote improved public security and reshape traditional police operational strategies by facilitating collaborative working relations between citizens and police.

Development and production of informational materials on national development for the
USAID-funded Leaders of Influence Program.

Development and production of informational materials on national development themes for the USAID-funded Leaders of Influence Program.

Development and production of informational materials on national development themes for the Leaders of Influence Program.

Domestic election monitoring and voter and civic education in connection with the August 2008 municipality elections.

A two-year pilot program launched in 2008 to address challenges of economic governance in the four districts of Bogra, Rajshahi, Barisal, and Sylhet. The program focuses on improving communication between national and district level public and private sector players, as well as enhancing the participation by both sectors in formulation and implementation of the national policy reform agenda. The pilot program involves three main components: 1) Collecting, organizing and disseminating information on the current business climate of targeted districts using tools such as Economic Governance Index (EGI); 2) Promoting active dialogue between public and private sector actors through District Public Private Dialgoues; and 3) Supporting both sectors in carrying out actions for policy reform.

National roundtable dialogue series on advancing women’s rights in an Islamic framework; regional study programs to Indonesia and Malaysia.

Establishment of two regional domestic violence shelters for women pursuing justice through legal aid and community mediation.

Operating two regional domestic violence shelters to support women pursuing justice through legal aid and community mediation and victims of trafficking in persons.

Baseline research study assessing the impact of domestic violence shelter services on women's willingness to pursue resolution of disputes through mediation or court remedies; Conducting case studies of management effectiveness and sustainability at two different women's shelters.

Acquisition and distribution of more than 60,000 donated books, journals and software to
hundreds of schools, universities, and other institutions.

Acquisition and distribution of more than 52,000 donated books, journals, and software with a value of $1.7 million to hundreds of schools, universities, and other recipient institutions across Bangladesh.

Acquisition and distribution of 40,000 donated books, journals, and software with a value of $1.8 million to hundreds of schools, universities, and other recipient institutions.

Participation in the first Conference of the International Association of Anti-Corruption
Authorities.

Convening a dialogue and developing a set of recommendations on priority issues and practical opportunities in advancing Bangladesh-India relations.

Convening a dialogue and developing a set of recommendations on priority issues and practical opportunities in advancing Bangladesh-India relations.

Emergency relief operations in areas affected by Cyclone Sidr.

Research study on a community-oriented policing program assessing perceptions and practices to inform development of a strategy to strengthen program effectiveness.

This study explores two of the main tenets of "competitiveness," efficiency and productivity, in the garment sector from the point of view of four key players: (a) international garment and textiles buyers, (b) government officials, (c) factory owners, and (d) factory workers.  The study shall help clarify the following: (1) How do each of these players define competitiveness? (2) Is there a disconnect in their perceptions about competitiveness?, and (3) How do these divergent perceptions affect decisions about investment?.

Technical support to the Election Working Group (EWG) for monthly national public perception studies on the state of democracy during emergency rule and a survey of the voter
registration process in Rajshahi City.

Technical support to the Election Working Group (EWG) to conduct monthly national public perception studies on the state of democracy during emergency rule and a survey of citizen attitudes toward city corporation governance.

Field research and data analysis for the continuation of the bimonthly national public perception survey on citizen attitudes to the political and economic environment; Technical support to the Election Working Group (EWG) to conduct monthly national public perception studies on the state of democracy during emergency rule and a national pre-election survey of citizen attitudes and knowledge on the responsibilities of elected officials at different levels of government.

Comprehensive baseline survey of leaders of influence populations, the communities that they serve, and the broader population to measure perceptions and attitudes regarding development issues and societal values that underline traditions of democracy, tolerance, diversity, and social harmony.

Monitoring, reporting, and raising public awareness of the role and performance of the
Bangladesh Election Commission in preparing a national voter list.

Facilitation for the participation of three Indian Election Commissioners to observe Bangladesh's general elections.

Association for Community Development; Action on Disability and Development; Banchte Shekha; Bangladesh Center for Development Journalism & Communication; Bangladesh Development Society; Bangladesh Manobadhikar Sammonny Parishad; Coast Trust; Dak Diye Jai; Democracy Watch; FEMA; Institute for Environment and Development; Gono Kalayan Sangstha; Green Hill; Gono Unnayan Kendra; Jagoroni Chakra Foundation; Khan Foundation; Lighthouse; Mass line Media Centre; Manabik Shahajya Sangstha; Nabolok; National Development Program; Noakhali Rural Development Society; Palashipara Samaj Kallayan Samity; RDRS Bangladesh; Right Jessore; Rupantar; Shariatpur Development Society; Solidarity; Srizony; Uttaran and Wave Foundation

Grant and technical support for the operation of a national secretariat and the 32 member organizations of the Election Working Group (EWG) national coalition for the design of program activities, implementation guidelines, training materials, and pamphlets for a comprehensive election observation program and voter and civic education on themes including democratic representation, candidate accountability, and participation of women and youth voters.

Election Working Group (EWG) member organizations: Association for Community Development; Action on Disability and Development; Banchte Shekha; Bangladesh Center for Development Journalism & Communication; Bangladesh Development Society; Bangladesh Manobadhikar Sammonny Parishad; Coast Trust; Dak Diye Jai; Democracy Watch; FEMA; Institute for Environment and Development; Gono Kalayan Sangstha; Green Hill; Gono Unnayan Kendra; Jagoroni Chakra Foundation; Khan Foundation; Lighthouse; Mass-line Media Centre; Manabik Shahajya Sangstha; Nabolok; National Development Program; Noakhali Rural Development Society; Palashipara Samaj Kallayan Samity; RDRS Bangladesh; Right Jessore; Rupantar; Shariatpur Development Society; Solidarity; Srizony; Uttaran and Wave Foundation.

Technical support for the operation of a national secretariat; Grant and technical support to 33 member organizations for the design of program activities, implementation guidelines, training materials, and posters and pamphlets on six core voter and civic education themes (election violence prevention, democratic representation and accountability, first-time voters, women’s electoral rights and political participation, electoral rights and security of religious and ethnic minorities, and electoral rights and participation of disabled persons); Monitoring the pre-election environment; Conducting monthly public perceptions studies on the state of democracy during emergency rule; Raising public awareness on the voter registration process.

A luncheon discussion with the Foundation's former country representative in Bangladesh and current regional director for law and governance who focuses on law and human rights, governance, criminal justice reform, elections, and Islam.

Support for the Election Violence Education and Resolution (EVER) project to identify,
monitor and mitigate election-related violence.

Developing a curriculum to advance human rights and the rights of women in Muslim societies in South Asia.

Support for the Imam Orientation Program to engage local religious leaders in dialogue on national development issues in the fields of democracy and governance, human rights, prevention of trafficking in persons, education, public health, environmental conservation and resource management, agriculture, fisheries, and other areas. Support for a supplementary Imam Orientation Program with a focus on governance, elections, and women’s empowerment.

Imam Orientation Program to engage local religious leaders in dialogue on national development issues in the fields of democracy and governance, human rights, prevention of trafficking in persons, education, public health, environmental conservation and resource management, agriculture, fisheries, and other areas—with a cross-cutting focus on gender, anti-corruption, and youth themes.

Imam orientations engaging local religious leaders in a dialogue on national development issues in the fields of democracy and governance, human rights, prevention of trafficking in persons, education, public health, environmental conservation and resource management, agriculture, fisheries, and other areas—with a crosscutting focus on gender, anti-corruption, and youth themes.

Support for election commission representatives from Bangladesh, Nepal, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka to observe India's general elections.

Facilitation for the participation of Indian delegates in a dialogue on India-Bangladesh relations in Dhaka.

Two year pilot program to address the key challenges of weak economic governance. Activities include a Bangladesh EGI, public-private dialogues, and follow-on actions.

Local Economic Governance Program operating in four rural upazilas (sub-districts) in Greater Jessore and Greater Rangpur focusing on small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the poultry, vegetables, flowers, fish, and compost fertilizers sectors at the village and union levels; Improving the business environment in these areas so that SMEs can generate income and employment opportunities for the poor and contribute more effectively to local economic growth; Training for samities in effectively articulating their interests to local public service providers (LPSPs) and higher-level business management organizations Training for LPSPs to facilitate more streamlined and faster service delivery; Setting up public-private dialogues that encourage cooperation between both sectors and finding cross trade opportunities between the large upazila-based traders and the village-level samities through networking and program activities.

Staff of Korean NGOs and government development agencies visited Bangladesh to study development cooperation and challenges in Islamic society, and the program strategies of The Asia Foundation and other development agencies.

Program engaging Muslim, Hindu, Christian, and Buddhist religious leaders and secular leaders (including local elected officials, business persons, journalists, service club members, women's activists, and youth leaders) in dialogue on national development issues in the fields of democracy and governance, human rights, prevention of trafficking in persons, education, public health, environmental conservation and resource management, agriculture, fisheries, and other areas.

Program to engage Muslim, Hindu, Christian, and Buddhist religious leaders and secular leaders (including local elected officials, business persons, journalists, service club members, women’s activists, and youth leaders) in dialogue on national development issues in the fields of democracy and governance, human rights, prevention of trafficking in persons, education, public health, environmental conservation and resource management, agriculture, fisheries, and other areas.

Strengthening the network of women’s organizations and women’s study centers in Indonesia through the support for the 2nd Conference of Kartini Network for more than 100 institutions across Indonesia and Asia, including Bangladesh, Philippines, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and India.

Technical support to the EWG for the production of three public service announcements (PSAs) on the voter registration process for television and radio broadcast.

Technical support to the EWG for the production of public service announcements on the voter registration process for television and radio broadcast.

Technical support to the Election Working Group for the production of three public service announcements on the voter registration process for television and radio broadcast; Additional support for a U.S. visit to gather material for a TV series on common themes in U.S. and Bangladesh national elections.

Strengthening the private sector in rural Bangladesh by enhancing the capacity of business associations (samities) to represent member interests and to more effectively engage with public agencies and officials; Pilot study on the feasibility of regulatory impact assessments (RIAs) in Bangladesh.

Facilitation of political ownership of the Millennium Development Goals by Parliamentarians through measurement of MDG progress in select parliamentary constituencies, publication of constituency-specific "MDG Guides" and orientation of Members of Parliament to their use in promoting MDG-friendly policies and oversight.

National program to engage Muslim religious leaders in raising public awareness of and
opposition to election violence.

Improvement of community-policing policy and practice through hosting a four member study tour of The Asia Foundation-Bangladesh Community-Oriented Policing Program.

A study to obtain a better understanding of links between government policies and regulations, and changes in economic activity profile within Lalmonirhat District in Bangladesh.

Raising public awareness on the voter registration process in geographically hard to reach areas and for communities of fisherfolk, untouchable (dalits), slum dwellers, and indigenous peoples. Project partners include: Adivashi Sangskritik Unnayan Sangstha; Bangladesh Dolit Human Rights; Center for Indigenous Peoples Research and Development; Coalition for Urban Poor; Community Development Center; Challan bill Uddug; Cost Development Partnership; Indigenous Population Development; Mrit Shilpa Karigari Unnayan Samity; Paritran; Speed Trust; Uddayam.

Orientation programs to expose local elected officials to national development issues and
practical program activities, with a focus on gender, anti-corruption and youth.

Orientation programs to expose local elected officials to national development issues and practical program activities, with a focus on gender, anti-corruption, and youth themes; Pilot anti-corruption project designed to educate community members and mobilize community oversight to reduce those forms of government corruption that have the greatest impact on the poor.

Orientation programs to expose local elected officials to national development issues and practical program activities, with a focus on gender, anti-corruption, and youth themes.

Publication of a handbook on election reporting for print and electronic journalists.

Publication of a handbook on election reporting for print and electronic journalists.

Production of an animated voter education film on democratic representation and
accountability.

Training for Tamil-language proficiency and cross-cultural understanding among Sinhalese police with Police In-Service Training Institute; Orientation on community-policing approaches in Central and Sabaragamuwa Provinces; Study tour of Asia Foundation-supported community-policing initiatives in Bangladesh.

Election Working Group (EWG)/Association for Community Development; Action on Disability and Development; Banchte Shekha; Bangladesh Center for Development Journalism & Communication; Bangladesh Development Society; Bangladesh Manobadhikar Sammonny Parishad; Coast Trust; Dak Diye Jai; Democracy Watch; FEMA; Institute for Environment and Development; Gono Kalayan Sangstha; Green Hill; Gono Unnayan Kendra; Jagoroni Chakra Foundation; Khan Foundation; Lighthouse; Mass line Media Centre; Manabik Shahajya Sangstha; Nabolok; National Development Program; Noakhali Rural Development Society; Palashipara Samaj Kallayan Samity; RDRS Bangladesh; Right Jessore; Rupantar; Shariatpur Development Society; Solidarity; Srizony; Uttaran and Wave Foundation

Technical support for the operation of a national secretariat. Grant and technical support to 33 member organizations for the design of program activities, implementation guidelines, training materials, and posters and pamphlets on six core voter and civic education themes (election violence prevention, democratic representation and accountability, first-time voters, women's electoral rights and political participation, electoral rights and security of religious and ethnic minorities; and electoral rights and participation of disabled persons); monitoring the pre-election environment; conducting monthly public perceptions studies on the state of democracy during emergency rule; and raising public awareness on the voter registration process.

Participation in the annual summit of the Forum of Young Global Leaders.

Participation in the annual summit of the Forum of Young Global Leaders.

Participation in the annual summit of the Forum of Young Global Leaders.

Research study in Bangladesh to explore two of the main tenets of competitiveness, efficiency, and productivity in the garment sector from the point of view of: international garment and textiles buyers; government officials; garment factory owners; garment factory middle managers; and garment factory workers.