An op-ed in The Guardian about the effectiveness of engaging in talks with the Taliban in Afghanistan cites findings from The Asia Foundation’s 2009 Afghan poll. Read the full piece: “Empty diplomacy in Afghanistan.”
The Asia Foundation’s Center for U.S.-Korea Policy has released its February newsletter, featuring: “Stakes Rise for U.S.-ROK Nuclear Energy Talks” by Miles A. Pomper, Senior Research Associate, James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies. Read his essay and find out about the Center’s latest activities in the February issue.
Foreign Affairs featured an online article about the status of the renewed peace talks between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. The Asia Foundation’s role on the International Contact Group is mentioned. Read the full article: “Letter From Manila: How to Talk to a MILF.”
The Asia Foundation announced today that its President and Chief Executive Officer, former Congressman Douglas Bereuter, will retire from his leadership position effective September 1, 2010, having fulfilled a six-year commitment made to the Board of Trustees.
Congressman Bereuter came to the Foundation in 2004 immediately after serving 26 years in the U.S. House of Representatives, where he chaired the Asia-Pacific Subcommittee and was Vice Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Intelligence Committee.
During Congressman Bereuter’s tenure, The Asia Foundation has experienced unprecedentedly rapid growth, with its core development and international relations programming in Asia growing 78 percent over the past five years. In 2009, the Foundation devoted 86 percent of its $138 million budget to core programming in Asia, including in the areas of economic reform, governance, and women’s rights and their political and economic participation. Through its Books for Asia program, the Foundation sent nearly one million new, English-language books to Asia valued at over $43 million, all donated by American publishers.
The Asia Foundation is a non-profit, nongovernmental organization, headquartered in San Francisco, with offices in Washington, D.C. and 18 Asian countries, extending from Afghanistan to Korea. While the Foundation works predominantly with Asian partners, its own staff of over 700 employees is comprised of more than 25 nationalities. Under Congressman Bereuter’s leadership, The Asia Foundation greatly diversified its fundraising from other democratic countries, such as Australia, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, as well as from key multilateral institutions. It also increased funding resources from corporate, foundation, and individual charitable donors. During Congressman Bereuter’s time, the Foundation has reopened offices in India, Laos, and Malaysia; strengthened its strategic planning process and intellectual vigor; launched a highly-respected junior associate program to foster the career development of recent top graduates; diversified its scope of programming; and initiated an increasing number of research projects to enhance the effectiveness of development practices.
Congressman Bereuter and his wife, Louise, plan to spend the majority of their time at their home in Nebraska, re-engaging in civic affairs and the arts community, with some limited role for Congressman Bereuter in public policy and teaching roles in Washington, D.C., Nebraska, or California.
The Asia Foundation’s Board of Trustees has formed a search committee and will retain an international executive search firm in seeking a successor for Congressman Bereuter.
Founded in 1954, The Asia Foundation is committed to the development of a peaceful, prosperous, just, and open Asia-Pacific region. For media inquires, please visit our Press Room.
For media inquires, please visit our Press Room.
Radio Australia interviews The Asia Foundation’s Country Representative in the Philippines Steven Rood on the ongoing peace talks between the Philippine government and MILF held at a meeting in Kuala Lumpur. Listen to the interview: “Philippines talks with separatists.”
The Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU)’s International Journal of Korean Unification Studies in their latest issue has published an article by Scott Snyder and See-Won Byun, Center for U.S.-Korea Policy. Read the full article, “The Obama Administration and Preparations for North Korean Instability.”
A Yonhap News story on the effects of the U.S. ban on South Korea’s right to reprocess spent nuclear fuel quotes Scott’s Snyder from his blog post “South Korea’s Role in Promoting the Nuclear Renaissance” on CFR’s Asia Unbound. Read the full article: “U.S. ban on S. Korea’s nuclear fuel reprocessing to undermine bilateral ties: scholar.”
In his opening remarks at the January 28 Afghanistan Conference in London, Prime Minister Gordon Brown mentioned The Asia Foundation’s partnership with the Afghan Independent Directorate for Local Governance as well as the British, American, Canadian and Belgian governments, to launch the new performance-based governors’ fund. The fund will provide more finance for provincial governors based on need and evidence of accountability and effectiveness. Read the full transcript: “Afghanistan Conference – PM’s opening remarks.”
Pacific Forum CSIS features an article by Scott Snyder and See-Won Byun on China-Korea relations in its quarterly assessment of East Asian bilateral relationships. Read the full article, “China Embraces South and North, but Differently.”
In an article in the Phnom Penh Post about a new forum on Facebook started by the Cambodia Women in Business to act as a gathering place for Cambodian businesswomen to discuss their problems and encourage business growth, The Asia Foundation is mentioned along with the International Finance Corporation for producing a 2009 study on the business climate in Cambodia. The study’s findings helped inform the Facebook initiative. Read the full article: “Women see Facebook as a recipe for business success.”
9:00am – 5:00pm
The Stimson Center
1111 19th Street NW, 12th Floor
The Center for U.S.-Korea Policy and the Stimson Center, in collaboration with the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) will co-host a U.S.-ROK workshop on nuclear energy and nonproliferation. Convening U.S. and Korean experts and policymakers, the purpose of the workshop is to provide a forum for bilateral discussion of nuclear nonproliferation and nuclear energy industry cooperation. This workshop is closed to the public.
In a Christian Science Monitor article about the frustration that Afghans feel as a result of the slow pace of development progress there, findings from The Asia Foundation’s 2009 Afghan poll are cited. Read the full article: “Afghanistan war: gap grows between US efforts, Afghan expectations.”
Korea Times features an op-ed by The Asia Foundation’s Country Representative in Korea Ed Reed on Korea’s response to the earthquake in Haiti. Read the full piece: “Korea’s Response to the Earthquake Catastrophe in Haiti.”
SANTA CLARA, Calif.—Extending its commitment to offer students affordable education, Chegg.com announced a new partnership with The Asia Foundation’s program, Books for Asia, to provide textbooks and educational materials to students in need across 18 countries in Asia.
“The Asia Foundation is giving access to knowledge and education through books, something that’s core to our work and our values, so naturally Chegg.com was inspired to partner with them,” said Osman Rashid, co-founder and chairman of the board at Chegg.com. “Our support of Books for Asia is a natural extension of our desire to make education affordable to students and make a difference around the world.”
Beginning in March 2010, every time a book is rented, bought, sold or donated through Chegg.com, customers will be given the choice to deliver a book to a student or child in Asia who needs it. Chegg.com has committed to deliver at least 50,000 books at the onset of this partnership. This innovative partnership builds on Chegg.com’s strong history of philanthropic generosity. As American Forests Global ReLeaf program’s largest tree-planting partner, Chegg.com has planted more than 2 million trees – one for each textbook rented.
“The Asia Foundation is pleased to be partnering with Chegg.com, one of Silicon Valley’s newest and most philanthropically-oriented businesses, and the agreement complements ongoing contributions of new textbooks by some of America’s leading publishers,” said Doug Bereuter, president and CEO of The Asia Foundation. “Without books these individuals would be unable to pursue their education or gain access to valuable information. By helping struggling students in the U.S. and Asia, Chegg.com and Books for Asia serve those who may one day make major contributions in business, medicine, philanthropy, or diplomacy.”
About Chegg.com
Chegg.com’s transformative concept of money-saving, rental access to textbooks has made it one of the Internet’s fastest growing new companies and the number one online textbook rental company. Launched nationally in 2007, Chegg.com has saved students more than $100 million dollars at over 6,400 colleges. With a growing inventory of more than 4.8 million titles, Chegg.com puts textbooks into the hands of students when they need them arriving in the brand’s iconic orange box. For every book rented, Chegg.com plants a tree through American Forests’ Global ReLeaf Program. To date, Chegg has planted more than 2 million trees. For more information, visit www.chegg.com.
The Asia Foundation is pleased to announce
U.S.-China Relations: Present and Future
with His Excellency
Zhou Wenzhong
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the
People’s Republic of China to the United States of America
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Registration 5:30 p.m.
Program 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Fairmont Hotel
Gold Room
950 Mason Street
San Francisco, California 94108
With China’s growing role in the global arena, a new phase of China-U.S. relations has taken center stage. During his recent visit, President Obama declared a success in establishing better diplomatic ties and pledged to treat China as a trusted global partner in future endeavors. Meanwhile, people in China have shown great interest in not just the President’s rise to the White House, but also in how furthering dialogue with the U.S. will be an asset to both nations. Ambassador Zhou Wenzhong addresses the World Affairs Council of Northern California on the significance of strong U.S.-China bilateral relations, as well as to offer the Chinese perspective on its growing role in the world.
This event is co-sponsored with the World Affairs Council of Northern California, the Cal-Asia Business Council, and Asia Society of Northern California.
As a guest of The Asia Foundation, please click here to be redirected to the WAC website and register at the reduced “co-sponsor” rate.
Note: advanced registration is recommended for guaranteed seating, please arrive early to check in. Pre-registration is not required and walk-ins on the day of this program are welcome.
Read this press release in the Lao language.
At a ceremony held today in Vientiane, The Asia Foundation signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Lao Women’s Union (LWU). The new agreement will allow The Asia Foundation to expand programs that ensure women’s rights and personal security, increase women’s participation in public life, and advance women’s economic opportunities. For over two decades, The Asia Foundation has formed valuable, long-standing relationships with Lao government bodies and local organizations.
“On this important occasion, The Asia Foundation is pleased to reaffirm its commitment to the Lao people and the Lao Women’s Union in their dedicated work to improve social and economic opportunities for women and society as a whole,” said Ms. Gretchen A. Kunze, Laos Country Director for The Asia Foundation. “We look forward to the opportunity to continue our partnership with the Lao Women’s Union and government of the Lao PDR in shared efforts to support development and growth for the entire nation.”
For 20 years, the Foundation has partnered with Lao Women’s Union to implement activities promoting gender equality and the prevention of human trafficking and violence toward women. For instance, in 1995, The Asia Foundation provided financial support to LWU representatives to participate in the Women’s World Conference held in Beijing. In 2003, the Foundation supported the LWU in drafting the Law on Development and Protection of Women, including carrying out a survey on domestic violence to provide data. More recently, the Foundation contributed funds for the construction of a Counseling and Protection Center for Women and Children, as well as technical support for training and upgrading legal knowledge of LWU staff. In addition, The Asia Foundation supported leadership skills training for women political leaders.
Read more about The Asia Foundation’s programs in Laos.
For media inquires, please visit our Press Room.
The Asia Foundation’s Center for U.S.-Korea Policy has released its January newsletter, featuring: “Korea’s Return to Afghanistan” by Michael Finnegan, Senior Research Associate, National Bureau of Asian Research. Read his essay and find out about the Center’s latest activities in the January issue.
In an article in the Mindanao Examiner about gunmen who killed the wife of a Muslim preacher and injured several others in an attack in the southern Philippine port city of Zamboanga, The Asia Foundation’s rido findings are referenced. Read the full article: “Muslim preacher’s wife killed, 4 others injured in Zamboanga attack.”
9:30am–12:00pm
The Brookings Institution
1775 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Falk Auditorium (Lobby Level)
This joint-seminar of The Asia Foundation’s Center for U.S.-Korea Policy and the Brookings Center for Northeast Asian Policy Studies will examine U.S.-ROK alliance cooperation on non-traditional security issues. Heejun Chang, Portland State University; Peter Beck, Stanford University; and Michael Finnegan, National Bureau of Asian Research; will discuss prospects for U.S.-ROK cooperation on climate change, human rights, and post-conflict stabilization and reconstruction respectively. Scott Snyder, Center for U.S.-Korea Policy Director, will serve as discussant. Richard Bush, Center for Northeast Asian Policy Studies Director, will moderate the event. More details are available here.
This seminar is the third of a three-part symposium series that is part of the Center for U.S.-Korea Policy’s project, A Roadmap for Expanding the U.S.-ROK Alliance.
The global financial crisis has had a sharp, negative effect on the export-dependent economies of Asia, threatening to undermine gains made in recent years. Conditions continue to worsen for the working poor and migrant laborers whose hours and wages have been cut, forcing scores to return to their family homes. Rural communities are struggling to absorb returning laborers and make due without worker remittances. Data indicates that migrant workers, one of the most socially fragile groups in developing economies, have been severely affected, particularly women workers in the garment, textile, and electronics industries. Today, The Asia Foundation and The Rockefeller Foundation announced a new initiative to alleviate the impact of the recession on the most vulnerable populations in Thailand and Vietnam. The new project will respond to the dire need for social services, training programs, and legal aid education as well as provide small emergency grants to civil society organizations.
Civil society organizations in Thailand and Vietnam are ideally positioned to help struggling workers weather the impact of the global economic downturn. Serving as a voice for society’s marginalized groups, these organizations have also suffered a decrease in funding and are operating with fewer resources needed to improve public services and respond to their communities’ most urgent needs. The project will provide financial support to these organizations and focus on sustainable solutions that address practical and effective community-based recovery.
For instance, in Thailand, the new project will facilitate emergency economic support and social services through the establishment of a Labor Crisis Center. The Center will provide pro bono legal aid and information to workers who have been laid off from their jobs or are facing imminent dismissal. Counseling will be provided through office consultations and through a 24-hour telephone hotline. To advance public policy advocacy, the Center will create an economic and labor information data base. And in Vietnam, project activities will focus on working with civil society groups to help migrant workers access critical public services such as health and legal aid, and to support select rural cooperatives as they respond to the development needs of their communities. The project will also convene representatives from civil society, government agencies, the National Assembly, research institutes, the private sector, and the media for a national dialogue. Participants will discuss key challenges to equitable and sustainable development and share innovative and practical solutions to address these problems.
The Asia Foundation will implement this two-year, $1,750,000 project with support from the Rockefeller Foundation.
For media inquires, please visit our Press Room.
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