INASIA
Weekly Insights and Analysis
Women’s Entrepreneurship in Korea: Tapping a Potent Source of National Prosperity
Working with a factory was surely a new experience for me, but every male worker in the factory looked down at me just because I was a woman. —Ms. Cho, entrepreneur in Gyeonggi Province Ms. Cho, who runs a melamine tableware business in Gyeonggi...
It’s Time for Large-Scale Investment in Girls’ Education Across Asia
Educating girls is one of the most effective ways for countries to achieve their economic potential, improve health, reduce conflict, and save lives. Education is also a basic human right. At a time when growing inequality in a number of Asian...
A Survey of the Afghan People 2019: Looking Back, and Looking Ahead
As the 2019 Survey of the Afghan People goes to press, Afghanistan stands at a crossroads. Our photographers look back at 15 years of surveying Afghan public opinion, with an eye towards the uncertain future.
Lao Citizen Scientists Manage Wetlands Sustainably
There were no fish in the Nong Tham Hee wetland in the 2017 dry season. There were none in the 2018 dry season. The people of Nyangkham village, who once fished here year around, saw only cracked, parched earth. Over the years, the water had slowly...
The Dark Horse of India’s Renewables Revolution: The “Water Battery”
Progress in energy storage will soon mean energy security for India, as the country races ahead with large renewable power commitments. Already fifth in the world in renewables, India now says it will exceed its 2022 target of 175 gigawatts of...
Growing It Alone: Images of Rural Timor-Leste
Just a little over two months ago, Timor-Leste celebrated the 20th anniversary of the referendum that brought the country its independence. The Asia Foundation’s governance director, Nicola Nixon, sends these reflections from a visit to a project...
Wheelchairs in the Mosque
Friday, October 10, 2019. Mingling with the roar of airplanes, Azan, the call to prayer, pours forth from the Jami’ Al Akbar Mosque at the Yogyakarta International Airport complex. Amidst the congregation of Friday worshippers, Bahrul Fuad sits...
What Advice Do Myanmar’s Female MPs Have for Women Candidates in 2020?
As Myanmar’s historic reform process continues to evolve, more women are needed in leadership roles of all kinds, including in parliaments. Despite their low numbers, the positive contributions of women MPs in both national and subnational...
Making Sense of the “Many Mekongs”
Political leaders are under constant pressure to introduce new initiatives, because new implies better, and that’s the nature of politics. Even clever repackaging of previous efforts is often not enough. So, it was quite a surprise when, in June...