The Asia Foundation

The Asia Foundation’s approach to law programming is anchored in a nuanced understanding of how reform processes work, based on more than 50 years of on-the-ground experience in Asia.  Foundation law programs are informed by an analysis of the connections between the functions of the legal system and the broader processes of economic, social, and political change taking place in a given society.  This analysis provides the Foundation with an empirically grounded basis for designing targeted program interventions where we see clear potential for traction and results.

The Foundation’s law programs aim to improve citizens’ lives in concrete ways by making formal legal and administrative institutions as well as alternative dispute resolution mechanisms more responsive to their needs.  To assist vulnerable groups in redressing specific grievances, the Foundation’s law programs provide direct assistance through legal aid, paralegal services, awareness-raising, and support for community mobilization and advocacy efforts.  Foundation law programs also seek to build and strengthen alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, which can provide an accessible and effective service for citizens to resolve low level, but nonetheless important, disputes over such issues as natural resources and labor contracts.  These programs have a profound impact on the lives of program beneficiaries.  Where possible, however, the Foundation engages in law programming at the systemic level to bring about widespread, sustainable change.  To this end, the Foundation works with both government officials and NGOs to reform specific laws, policies, institutions, and practices that have a significant detrimental affect on large segments of society.