Laos
By expanding a commitment to economic growth, and with the desire to move beyond its less-developed country status, Laos has made progress in developing a legal system based on rule of law principles. In this context, Laos is enhancing access to justice and legal empowerment. In Vientiane, the Foundation works with local partners and the Lao government to improve governance and access to justice for all citizens, advance women’s rights and opportunities, help communities manage development and safeguard their natural environment, increase access to information, and promote Laos’ international cooperation.
Todd Wassel,
Country Representative
Contact
The Asia Foundation – Laos
P.O. Box 8032
Vientiane, Laos
Tel: +856 (21) 454-300
Email: laos.general@asiafoundation.org
Empowering citizens to know and protect their legal rights
Laos has made progress in developing a legal system, but challenges persist for citizens to access justice. In an ongoing response, and with support from The McConnell Foundation and the U.K.’s Foreign & Commonwealth Office, we ensure citizens, especially the rural and poor, have access to legal education, legal aid, mediation, and court representation. Foundation efforts provide momentum for a government-mandated legal aid program, and encourage lawyers to undertake pro-bono work, contributing to an increase in the number of lawyers in Laos providing free legal aid from just four in 2015 to 24 in 2018.
NEWS FROM LAOS
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About Us
March 1, 2021
Publication
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Virtual Event – The Asia Foundation Taskforce Report: Urgent Issues in U.S.-Southeast Asian Relations
Washington, DC
Tuesday, February 2, 2021
Events
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Our Predictions for 2021, Following a Year That Defied Prediction
January 19, 2021
Blog
Love Laos, Keep It Clean
While a clean environment is critical for agriculture and fishing livelihoods, limited resources in Laos means waste management has gone neglected. With funds from the McConnell Foundation, we developed a manual on managing landfills and community dumps, and trained communities and schools in integrated waste management techniques such as recycling and composting. In Luang Prabang we paired schools with local hotels to learn waste management best practices. We also sponsored a short-film competition themed Love Laos, Keep It Clean—the winners reached hundreds of thousands of Lao citizens, their films featured on Facebook, in theaters, and on Lao TV.
HIGHLIGHTS ACROSS ASIA
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For International Women’s Day, Conversations with Some Remarkable Women
March 3, 2021
Blog -
About Us
March 1, 2021
Publication
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The Future of Work for Women in the Pacific Islands
February 26, 2021
Publication -
Vogue Paris Spotlights Lana Condor’s Vietnam Girls Scholarship
February 17, 2021
Media Coverage
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Rapid Response Fund Buoys Mongolian Women Entrepreneurs Hit Hard by Covid
February 17, 2021
Blog -
Insights on China’s 2021 White Paper on International Development Cooperation
February 17, 2021
Blog
Impact Report 2020
Leading through change