In an Agence France-Presse wire story about North Korea’s troubled currency reform and revaluation, including concerns about bankruptcy, The Asia Foundation’s Director of the Center for U.S.-Korea Policy Scott Snyder is quoted. Read the full article: “Currency chaos shakes N. Korea.”
In a Sun Star article about the launch of a pre-election audio and video voters’ guide in the Philippines, The Asia Foundation is mentioned for initiating the launch in Cebu City. Read the full article: “Voters’ education materials launched.”
In an Agence France-Presse wire story about the issues surrounding the control transfer of South Korea’s troops, The Asia Foundation’s Center for U.S.-Korea Policy Director Scott Snyder is quoted. Read the full article: “US commanders defend S.Korea war control.”
Yonhap News covers the discussion on the planned transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON) from the United States to South Korea, at a symposium co-hosted by The Asia Foundation’s Center for U.S.-Korea Policy and the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation in Washington DC. Read the full article: “Lawmaker urges U.S., S. Korea to begin talks on OPCON transfer delay.”
JoongAng Daily covers the discussion on the planned transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON) from the United States to South Korea, at a symposium co-hosted by The Asia Foundation’s Center for U.S.-Korea Policy and the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation in Washington DC. Read the full editorial: “Rethink the control transfer.”
Asia’s religious and community leaders play a central role in combating corruption, poverty, and instability, but broader knowledge of critical national issues would enhance their contributions to development at the community level, according to delegates at the “Regional Conference on the Role of Religious and Community Leaders in Advancing Development in Asia.”
The four-day conference, convened jointly by the United States Agency of International Development (USAID) and The Asia Foundation, was held in Dhaka and attended by religious and community leaders from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, India, Malaysia, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Timor-Leste, Tajikistan, and Thailand, together with representatives from The Asia Foundation and the United States government. Participants identified ways that religious and community leaders can tackle important national development issues, including good governance and preventing corruption, improved public health services, conflict resolution, empowering youth, and gender justice and equity.
Delegates developed strategies to address their community’s most pressing needs and identified critical challenges to overcome, such as a lack of coordination between governments and civil society groups, a reluctance to engage religious leaders in the design and implementation of local policies, and distrust between various religious organizations along theological or political lines.
Conference delegates had the opportunity to interact with representatives of the successful Leaders of Influence (LOI) program – developed in 2004 by The Asia Foundation in collaboration with the Ministry of Religious Affairs in Bangladesh and the Imam Training Academy, with USAID support – and to then participate in an inter-faith, intergroup meeting with their LOI counterparts. Examining the feasibility of adapting aspects of the Bangladesh experience to their own national development plans was cited as a highlight of the program.
The conference concluded with delegates designing country-specific action plans, including training programs for imams and other religious leaders on social development issues; convening regular forums for government, civil society groups, and religious leaders to engage in dialogue and improve communication; and providing opportunities for religious leaders to learn about, and interact with, leaders of other faiths.
Conference materials and presentations are available on the Leaders of Influence website and interviews with delegates are available on the Leaders of Influence YouTube Channel. Following the Dhaka conference, delegates will continue to share ideas and resources through Facebook and Twitter.
For more information, please visit our Press Room.
On March 23, at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, The Asia Foundation hosted a lunch event featuring Dr. Steven Rood, the Foundation’s country representative to the Philippines. Dr. Rood provided an update on the current status of the Mindanao peace process. The Asia Foundation has been selected both by the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to be the only American member of the International Contact Group (ICG). As stated in the ICG’s Framework Agreement, the ICG has been designated to provide crucial support for the peace process. The Asia Foundation will network with stakeholders in the negotiation, coordinate with the Facilitator (Malaysia) to provide research input, and give feedback and advice for the peace process. Other members of the ICG include the Ambassadors to the Philippines from the U.K., Japan, and Turkey, along with representatives of the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, Conciliation Resources, and Muhammadiyah from Indonesia.
Dr. Rood also discussed the current political environment, and a look at the legacy of the Arroyo Administration.
In a Bloomberg News article about how mobile phones in Afghanistan can be effective means of communication for citizens, The Asia Foundation’s 2009 Afghan poll findings are cited. Read the full article: “Fighting the Taliban With Cellphones.”
World Politics Review features an article by Scott Snyder, Center for U.S.-Korea Policy Director, examining South Korea’s desire to increase its role in the international community. Read the full article: “South Korea’s Emerging Global Security Role.”
In a USAID press release announcing the religious leaders conference in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on “the role of religious and community leaders in advancing development in Asia,” The Asia Foundation is credited for co-hosting the three-day event March 21-24. Read the full article: “U.S. Sponsors Bangladesh Conference for Religious and Community Leaders on Advancing Development in Asia.”
In a feature in The Economist detailing the current unrest in Thailand, as well as fears surrounding the royal succession, The Asia Foundation’s 2009 Thailand survey findings are cited. Read the full article: “Thailand’s succession: As father fades, his children fight.”
A Yonhap News story about North Korea’s nuclear ambitions and the stalled six-party talks features quotes from The Asia Foundation’s Director of the Center for U.S.-Korea Policy Scott Snyder’s Council on Foreign Relations interview entitled, “U.S.-North Korea: Stalemate.” Read the full article: “U.S. in dilemma over N. Korean nuke amid lackluster 6-way talks: scholar.”
In a MindaNews article about the launch of a Voters’ Forum series designed to help Mindanawon voters understand voting-related issues and concerns, The Asia Foundation is credited for producing the series along with MindaNews. Read the full article: “Voters’ Forum series launched Wednesday in Cotabato City.”
An Australia Network broadcast program about Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s visit to Australia this week features interview commentary by The Asia Foundation’s Country Representative in Indonesia Robin Bush. To watch the video, scroll down to: “Second state visit.”
During an interview on NPR’s “All Things Considered” with Michele Norris about Afghan poppy fields, Seth Jones of the Rand Corporation cites The Asia Foundation’s 2009 Afghan poll findings about the drug trade and the government. Listen to the interview or read the full transcript: “Plan For Afghan Poppy Fields Examined.”
In an article on Forbes.com highlighting Asia’s heroes of philanthropy, The Asia Foundation’s Vice President of Partners in Asian Development Allen Choate and Give2Asia’s Dien Yuen are quoted on the increase in requests from donors for more transparency and follow-up information from organizations to which they give. Read the full article: “Asia’s Heroes of Philanthropy.”
South Korean President Lee Myung-bak’s promotion of green growth as a “new national development paradigm” reflects the country’s assertive energy diplomacy and top-down national strategy. South Korea’s public commitment to low carbon, sustainable growth may be one of its greatest assets in attracting a new wave of partnerships and investments from governments and businesses, especially from the U.S., according to a new report by Jill O’Donnell released today by The Asia Foundation’s Center for U.S.-Korea Policy.
The report The U.S.-ROK Alliance: A Catalyst for Green Growth? explores the potential for U.S.-ROK cooperation on climate change mitigation and renewable energy. “South Korea’s Presidential Committee for Green Growth is committed to implementing a plan that applies climate-friendly policies to every dimension of South Korean life,” said Scott Snyder, Director of the Center for U.S.-Korea Policy. “It also enables the potential for U.S.-ROK technology tie-ups and private sector cooperation designed to make the green growth vision a reality.”
Among the report’s recommendations on potential areas for further U.S.-ROK collaboration:
O’Donnell offers three points to consider for U.S.-ROK cooperation:
Jill O’Donnell, the report author and former Junior Associate of The Asia Foundation, holds an M.A. in International Relations and Economics from the Johns Hopkins University Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, with a special interest in energy policy.
Download the full report, The U.S.-ROK Alliance: A Catalyst for Green Growth?
Learn more about The Asia Foundation’s Center for U.S.-Korea Policy.
The Asia Foundation’s Center for U.S.-Korea Policy has released its March newsletter, featuring: “The U.S. and South Korea: Challenges and Remedies for Wartime Operational Control” by Bruce E. Bechtol, Professor of International Relations, Marine Corps Command and Staff College. Read his essay and find out about the Center’s latest activities in the March issue.
Friday, March 26, 2010
10:45am – 12:45pm
Philadelphia Marriott Downtown
Grand Ballroom Salon B
As part of the Association of Asian Studies (AAS) Annual Meeting 2010 (March 25-28) featuring scholarly papers, roundtable discussions, and panel sessions on Asian affairs, The Korea Society will lead a roundtable on North Korea and regional security, chaired by Evans Revere, President of The Korea Society. Scott Snyder, Center for U.S.-Korea Policy; Jack Pritchard, Korea Economic Institute, and L. Gordon Flake, the Maureen & Mike Mansfield Foundation, will serve as discussants. Event details are available here.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
9:30am – 2:00pm (Registration begins 9:00am)
Willard Intercontinental
1401 Pennsylvania Ave
Willard Room (Lobby Level)
The Center for U.S.-Korea Policy and the Maureen & Mike Mansfield Foundation will co-host a public symposium on issues surrounding the planned transfer of operational control (OPCON) in 2012 and implications for the U.S.-South Korea alliance. Panel presenters will include Bruce Bechtol, U.S. Marine Corps Command and Staff College; Michael O’Hanlon, The Brookings Institution; and Kim Sung-han, Korea University (Other speakers TBD). Hon. Hwang Jin Ha, ROK National Assemblyman, will serve as a keynote speaker. Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, Asian & Pacific Security Affairs, Derek Mitchell, will provide a luncheon address, and Gen. John H. Tilelli Jr., former Commander-in-Chief, UN Command, Combined Forces Command, U.S. Forces Korea, will provide introductory remarks. This conference is co-sponsored by Samsung, Poongsan Corporation, the Federation of Korean Industries (FKI), and JoongAng Ilbo. To RSVP please contact jcho@asiafound-dc.org with name and affiliation.
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