Critical Issues

Small island in the ocean 

Virtual Event – Addressing the Covid-Related Challenges Facing the Pacific Islands

Washington, DC, Wednesday, June 30, 2021

Events Post

While swift measures on border control taken by Pacific Island governments to contain the spread of Covid-19 spared the region a health crisis on the scale faced in other parts of the world, the social and economic implications of the pandemic have been catastrophic for the region’s fragile economies. Rising unemployment in the tourism and other se… Read more

 

Virtual Summit and Workshop – Pacific Cyber Dialogue

Papua New Guinea, November 17-20, 2020

Events Post

In the past five years, new undersea cable projects and other internet infrastructure improvements have begun connecting Pacific internet users to faster and more accessible digital resources. At the same time, greater connectivity has also brought new cybersecurity challenges for civil society, the private sector, and government. With small popula… Read more

 

A New Era of Development Finance

February 11, 2015

Blog Post

The global development landscape has changed dramatically in the last 15 years. In 2000, bilateral Development Assistance Committee (DAC) donors (UK, U.S., Japan, France) and multilateral institutions like the World Bank dominated the provision of aid. Today, the face of aid is increasingly Asian.

 

Water Scarcity a Threat to Mongolia’s Sustainable Development

September 17, 2014

Blog Post

A new report from the Asian Development Bank sent a warning signal to Mongolia that, despite its wealth of natural resources and pristine image, the country faces a severe water scarcity and quality crisis – one that could leave its growing capital…

 

Minorities within the Minority: Indigenous Communities in the Bangsamoro

August 6, 2014

Blog Post

In March this year, a major milestone passed in the 40-year effort to end hostilities in the Philippines between the national government and Muslim separatist fronts. The government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) signed a Comprehensive…

 

The Struggle Against Religious Conflict in Pakistan

August 6, 2014

Blog Post

On the third day of Eid-ul Fitar last week, two Hindu trader brothers from district Umerkot in Sindh Province were murdered in front of their home. An Ahmadi doctor was murdered in Chiniot in May 2014 while a Hazara Shia community in Quetta was attacked and two brothers were murdered by Lashakr-e-Jhangvi on Eid-ul Fitar in July 2014. The killing of Rashid Rehman…

 

Bangladesh’s Development Surprise: A Model for Developing Countries

June 25, 2014

Blog Post

By many metrics, Bangladesh’s development trajectory is a unique success story, especially since the 1990s when democratic rule was reinstated and extensive economic reforms were made. Poverty incidence has fallen from 60 percent to around 30 percent.

 

Poverty, Inequality, and the Negative Effects of Mongolia’s Economic Downturn

June 25, 2014

Blog Post

For the last four years, Mongolia has had one of the fastest growing economies in the world, clocking double-digit growth on the back of a mining boom. The effects of this growth are obvious, especially in the capital, Ulaanbaatar, where cranes dominate the skyline…

 

A Conversation with Mongolian NGO Leader Badruun Gardi

April 23, 2014

Blog Post

Just back from an intensive, nine-day leadership training workshop in Singapore and the Philippines, which kicked off The Asia Foundation’s Development Fellows program, In Asia editor Alma Freeman interviewed one of the 10 inaugural Fellows from Mongolia, Badruun Gardi…

 

A Conversation with Nepali Journalist, Women’s Rights Advocate Jaya Luintel

March 5, 2014

Blog Post

Ahead of International Women’s Day on March 8, In Asia editor Alma Freeman interviewed Nepali radio journalist and women’s rights advocate, Jaya Luintel, on women’s changing role in politics and society in Nepal, the country’s wide gender gap, and hopes of democratic momentum.

 

Corruption in the Philippines: Survey of Business Execs Reveals ‘Mixed’ Findings

January 22, 2014

Blog Post

On January 15, the results of the latest “SWS Survey of Enterprises on Corruption” were released during an afternoon session of the Good Governance Summit 2014. The previous survey in 2012 showed an impressive record low of 43 percent of business executives who considered corruption to be widespread.