Asian Perspectives Series: “Addressing Critical Issues in Asia in the 21st Century”

Event: Wednesday, March 12, 2014, Washington, DC

View the archived video of this event here.

8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Registration and light breakfast will begin at 8:15 am

Asia’s economic success often obscures the very real challenges affecting the region, including widespread corruption, persistent poverty, gender discrimination, environmental threats, and religious and ethnic conflicts. Left unaddressed, these challenges threaten Asia’s development and economic gains and undermine its future growth.

Drawing on the expertise of local partners and its own development experts in the 18 countries in which it works, The Asia Foundation is initiating a year-long, global conversation on six critical issues facing Asia today. These include: lack of transparency and accountability in government; persistent poverty and rising income inequality; exclusion of women from political and economic life; ethnic and religious conflicts; access to justice and human rights; and disaster management, climate change, and water resource management.

This year, The Asia Foundation is commemorating its 60th anniversary. In March, the Foundation’s Washington, DC office will host all 18 of our country representatives from across Asia as well as experts from the United States to participate in in-depth panel discussions on:

• “Fostering Civic Participation and Responsive Governments in South Asia” featuring Gareth Aicken (Pakistan), Dinesha de Silva (Sri Lanka), Mark Kryzer (Afghanistan), and George Varughese (Nepal);
• “Rights, Justice and Inclusion in Southeast Asia” featuring Silas Everett (Cambodia), Sandra Hamid (Indonesia), Kim McQuay (Thailand), and Steven Rood (the Philippines);
• “Women’s Changing Roles in Asia” featuring Meloney Lindberg (Mongolia), Susan Marx (Timor Leste), and Hasan Mazumdar (Bangladesh);
• Luncheon Discussion on “Asian Approaches to Development Cooperation” featuring Anthea Mulakala (Director for International Development Cooperation), Jonathan Stromseth (China), and Peter Beck (Korea).

RSVPs are required as seating is limited. Please RSVP by Wednesday, March 5 to Ms. Ellie Matthews at elizabeth.matthews@asiafoundation.org  or 202-292-5002.

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HIGHLIGHTS ACROSS ASIA