The Asia Foundation

An article in BusinessMirror details the findings of the poll on people’s evaluation of the May 2010 election. The poll was administered by the Social Weather Stations with support from The Asia Foundation, and found that three out of four Filipinos were satisfied with the first automated nationwide elections in the Philippines. Read the full article: “SWS: 75% of Filipinos satisfied with national polls.”

An article in Bayanihan announces the Caraga Media Summit  in Northeastern Mindanao, that aims to tackle the fate and security of working journalists who are covering sensitive events and areas in the southern island. The Asia Foundation is identified as a sponsor of the event. Read the full article: “3-day Caraga Media Summit 2010 set in Surigao City.”

In an article in BusinessWorld about the  conference, “Food for All: Investment Forum for Food Security in Asia and the Pacific” held at the Asian Development Bank in Manila, a farmer’s group in Mindanao is cited as an example of how small growers can target and meet  needs of hotels, supermarkets, restaurants and fastfood chains in major urban centers. The Asia Foundation is mentioned as an organizer of the conference. Read the full article: “N. Mindanao vegetable growers meet big demand.”

A Zamboanga Times article reports that the Philippine government’s anti-poverty and social services projects in Mindanao have received support from NGOs and the private sector. In addition, The Asia Foundation will aid local government units improve fiscal performance and accountability through the USAID-supported Transparent Accountable Governance (TAG) program. Steve Rood is quoted. Read the full article: “Companies pledge support to KALAHI-CIDSS projects in Northern Mindanao”

In a Malaya Business Insight article about the Philippines’ Tourism Secretary Ace Durano announcing industry growth in tourism, The Asia Foundation is mentioned for funding the Tourism Development Forum where the announcement was made. Read the full article: “Tourism industry stays afloat.”

In an op-ed in the Manila Times about NGOs helping to ease poverty suffrage in the Philippines, The Asia Foundation is credited for donating books throughout the country. Read the full article: “NGOs and children’s welfare–and exploitation too.”

In a Manila Bulletin article about survey findings on tourism rates in the Philippines, The Asia Foundation is credited with funding the survey, conducted by the Center for Research and Communication. Read the full article: “Good record in tourism.”

In an article in The Irrawaddy discussing the landslide win of President-elect Benigno Aquino III, a relatively successful automated voting system, and Philippine politics, The Asia Foundation’s Country Representative in the Philippines Steven Rood is quoted. Read the full article: “Aquino set for office, but will he be in power?”

The Asia Foundation’s Country Representative in the Philippines Steven Rood was interviewed during a KQED Forum broadcast about the elections in the Philippines, and the new President elect, Benigno Aquino III. Listen to the broadcast: “Presidential Election in the Philippines.”

In a New York Times article about Benigno S. Aquino’s widening lead in the May 10 national elections in the Philippines, The Asia Foundation’s Country Representative in the Philippines Steven Rood is quoted. Read the full article:  “Philippine Landslide Seen for Aquino.”

The Philippine Daily Inquirer features results from a Social Weather Stations election survey that find many Filipino voters believe the presence of independent observers in the May elections will add confidence for an honest and violence-free election. The Asia Foundation is credited for sponsoring the survey. Read the full article: “Filipinos believe foreign observers will aid clean polls, survey shows.”

In a Philippine Information Agency article about the launch of a Quick Reaction Team related to extra-legal killings and enforced disappearances in Palo, Philippines, The Asia Foundation is credited with sponsoring the program along with the Ateneo Human Rights Center. Read the full article: “Palo hosts launching of Leyte team vs extra-legal killings, enforced disappearances.”

In a Sun Star (Philippines) article which features findings presented by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) Chief, Dr. Mahar Mangahas, from his talk before the Cebu business community, The Asia Foundation is credited for sponsoring the SWS surveys. Read the full article: “Solicitation of bribes down: SWS.”

In a Sun Star (Philippines) article about the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s pessimism that a breakthrough could be achieved during the latest rounds of peace talks with the Philippine government in Kuala Lumpur, The Asia Foundation’s role as an International Contact Group member is mentioned. Read the full article: “MILF sees no breakthrough in talks with gov’t.”

In a Sun Star article about the Clark International Airport Corporation’s (CIAC) plans to develop a 2,367-hectare Clark Civil Aviation Complex in the Philippines, The Asia Foundation’s support is featured and the Foundation’s Country Representative in the Philippines Steven Rood is mentioned for signing a memorandum of agreement with CIAC. Read the full article: “Airport firm, NGO sign agreement to develop hub.”

San Francisco and Canberra

As the international community searches for new ways to deliver aid and assistance in places affected by conflict and state fragility, the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) and The Asia Foundation have formed a strategic partnership to enhance current approaches and explore new methods for supporting development, building peace and prosperity, and improving aid effectiveness. The agreement was signed at the Australian Embassy in Washington, D.C. on March 26, 2010 by Peter Baxter, Acting Director General of AusAID, and Douglas Bereuter, president and CEO of The Asia Foundation.

“This partnership is formed to bring together our collective experience in order to better address some of the most challenging questions facing the international community today,” said Douglas Bereuter, president and CEO of The Asia Foundation. “How can we think differently, and act differently, to improve conditions for those in turbulent, fragile societies, where people live in constant threat and development cannot take hold? The combined experience of our two organizations includes nearly every conflict-affected and fragile country in the Asia-Pacific region. I believe that this partnership has the potential to transform the way we work together across the region—and will contribute to global efforts to improve aid effectiveness.”

The goal of the partnership is to deepen and expand the strategies of AusAID, The Asia Foundation, and the international community to deliver aid and security in regions where the pace of development has fallen dramatically, especially where conditions have deteriorated. The partnership will include regular dialogue, collaboration, and joint program activities in Asia through June 2013. This new international effort builds on AusAID’s expertise in post-conflict reconstruction and The Asia Foundation’s recognized strengths in working on protracted sub-national conflicts, and building extensive networks in conflict-affected nations and regions.

Engagement between AusAID and The Asia Foundation has increased significantly in recent years, and the partnership agreement covering the next 39 months is designed to complement existing agreements at the country level by promoting greater sharing of knowledge and strategic concepts between the two organizations.

ABOUT AUSAID
AusAID is the Australian Government agency responsible for managing Australia’s overseas aid program. The objective of the aid program is to assist developing countries reduce poverty and achieve sustainable development, in line with Australia’s national interest. In 2009–10 Australia will provide $3.8 billion worth of official development assistance. Australia’s aid program focuses on the Asia Pacific region. The international community recognises Australia’s leading role in the region, particularly in PNG and the Pacific. The geographic focus of Australia’s aid program also makes sense given that two thirds of the world’s poor, some 800 million people, live in the Asia Pacific, yet receive less than one third of total aid flows. Australia’s broadened aid program provides assistance to Africa, the Middle East, the Caribbean and South America, primarily through scholarships and by working through international and non-government organisations.

For more information, please visit our Press Room.

In a MindaNews article featuring poll findings from an extensive survey on citizens in Mindanao and the Presidential aspirants, The Asia Foundation is credited for partnering with MindaNews on the survey. Read the full article: “The Presidentiables: Their Mindanao.”

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.”

Washington, D.C.

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 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.”