The Asia Foundation

Whether it is the ability of governments and non-governmental organizations to inform populations on important issues such as HIV/AIDS, environmental protection, and human trafficking, the ability of small business owners and farmers to access...

Whether it is the ability of governments and non-governmental organizations to inform populations on important issues such as HIV/AIDS, environmental protection, and human trafficking, the ability of small business owners and farmers to access essential information on markets, or the ability of citizens to make informed decisions at the ballot box and hold government accountable, the efficient flow of information is essential to a country's economic, political, and social development. In Cambodia, The Asia Foundation has worked to vastly expand access to information for citizens and local organizations, with various projects around the country.

East Timor’s achievement of full statehood in May 2002 has placed the responsibilities of government completely in the hands of the East Timorese for the first time in many generations. The violent disruptions following the 1999...

East Timor’s achievement of full statehood in May 2002 has placed the responsibilities of government completely in the hands of the East Timorese for the first time in many generations. The violent disruptions following the 1999 referendum on independence triggered an exodus of capital and business acumen, both indigenous and foreign, and left behind a fractured economy with destroyed infrastructure, poorly functioning markets, and a collapsed financial sector. The new government faces daunting challenges in improving the living conditions of its population and charting a new path for economic growth. The Asia Foundation is working with the private sector of East Timor to identify the determinants of and impediments to economic growth, and is providing technical assistance to the government as it formulates a new legislative framework for investment activities.

In July 2011, Mongolia assumed the Presidency of the Community of Democracies (CoD) from Lithuania. Mongolia's priorities for its two-year term include education for democracy, strengthening regional cooperation, exchange of experiences,...

In July 2011, Mongolia assumed the Presidency of the Community of Democracies (CoD) from Lithuania. Mongolia's priorities for its two-year term include education for democracy, strengthening regional cooperation, exchange of experiences, collaboration with civil society, advancing women's empowerment and countering corruption. The Asia Foundation is supporting Mongolia in its efforts to make the CoD a more operational and action-oriented body.

The Asia Foundation supports economic reform programs to encourage sustainable market-led growth, poverty reduction, and private sector involvement in the policy reform process. Better policies will boost business growth and employment, and...

The Asia Foundation supports economic reform programs to encourage sustainable market-led growth, poverty reduction, and private sector involvement in the policy reform process. Better policies will boost business growth and employment, and help improve competitiveness and reduce poverty.
In Cambodia, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) dominate the economic landscape, particularly in the provinces. MSMEs owners are among those most affected by a poor business environment, consisting of opaque regulations, lack of information, and extensive costs associated with corruption and over-regulation. The Asia Foundation’s economic reform program in Cambodia supports reform of policy-making process, empowerment of the private sector— particularly provincial MSMEs and development of a more business-friendly environment. The program encourages increased transparency and greater competition to create appropriate incentives for investment and trade.

In 2010, The Asia Foundation, in partnership with the Zorig Foundation, launched a scholarship program funded by the Shirin Pandju Merali Foundation. The Program supports university education for 120 female students who were unable to continue...

In 2010, The Asia Foundation, in partnership with the Zorig Foundation, launched a scholarship program funded by the Shirin Pandju Merali Foundation. The Program supports university education for 120 female students who were unable to continue their education due to financial constraints.

In 2010, The Asia Foundation, in partnership with the Zorig Foundation, launched a scholarship program funded by the Shirin Pandju Merali Foundation. The program supports university education for 120 female students who were unable to continue...

In 2010, The Asia Foundation, in partnership with the Zorig Foundation, launched a scholarship program funded by the Shirin Pandju Merali Foundation. The program supports university education for 120 female students who were unable to continue their education due to financial constraints.

Keynote Address by H.E. Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, Secretary General of ASEAN and Trustee of The Asia Foundation, at The Asia Foundation's recent international conference: "Korea’s Changing Roles in Southeast Asia: Expanding Influence and...

Keynote Address by H.E. Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, Secretary General of ASEAN and Trustee of The Asia Foundation, at The Asia Foundation's recent international conference: "Korea’s Changing Roles in Southeast Asia: Expanding Influence and Relations."

The Survey on Good Local Governance is a 38-item survey that aims to obtain a broader data to help set the agenda for local government reforms. It covers the following: citizen perception on the quality of local government services, trust...

The Survey on Good Local Governance is a 38-item survey that aims to obtain a broader data to help set the agenda for local government reforms. It covers the following: citizen perception on the quality of local government services, trust rating of local officials and institutions, citizen satisfaction on local government services, public-private partnership and citizen participation, and citizen perception of corruption in local governments.

The Survey on Perceptions and Knowledge of Corruption (SPEAK) is an integral part of the USAID-funded Strengthening Transparency and Governance in Mongolia (STAGE) program implemented by The Asia Foundation. The SPEAK survey builds on the...

The Survey on Perceptions and Knowledge of Corruption (SPEAK) is an integral part of the USAID-funded Strengthening Transparency and Governance in Mongolia (STAGE) program implemented by The Asia Foundation. The SPEAK survey builds on the semi-annual corruption benchmarking survey conducted under the USAID-funded Mongolian Anti-Corruption Support (MACS) project. While the past eleven surveys probed both citizens' perceptions and actual experience of corruption at the household level, the SPEAK survey has been expanded to capture data on perceptions and knowledge of administrative practices and grand corruption. Additionally, the SPEAK survey will be complemented by the Foundation's newly introduced Study of Private Perceptions of Corruption (STOPP) which is designed to capture data on perceptions of corruption of business sector. Together, the surveys will provide a much broader picture of the level of corruption in Mongolia. The Sant Maral Foundation (SMF) has been The Asia Foundation's implementing partner for both the surveys.

The Survey on Perceptions and Knowledge of Corruption (SPEAK) is an integral part of the USAID-funded Strengthening Transparency and Governance in Mongolia (STAGE) program implemented by The Asia Foundation. The SPEAK survey builds on the...

The Survey on Perceptions and Knowledge of Corruption (SPEAK) is an integral part of the USAID-funded Strengthening Transparency and Governance in Mongolia (STAGE) program implemented by The Asia Foundation. The SPEAK survey builds on the semi-annual corruption benchmarking survey conducted under the USAID-funded Mongolian Anti-Corruption Support (MACS) project. While the past eleven surveys probed both citizens' perceptions and actual experience of corruption at the household level, the SPEAK survey has been expanded to capture data on perceptions and knowledge of administrative practices and grand corruption. Additionally, the SPEAK survey will be complemented by the Foundation's newly introduced Study of Private Perceptions of Corruption (STOPP) which is designed to capture data on perceptions of corruption of business sector. Together, the surveys will provide a much broader picture of the level of corruption in Mongolia. The Sant Maral Foundation (SMF) has been The Asia Foundation's implementing partner for both the surveys.

A profile of the Foundation's in increased use of survey data. The strategy has proved to be particularly successful in the Philippines due to the availability of high-quality researchers spread across the country. Probability methods of...

A profile of the Foundation's in increased use of survey data. The strategy has proved to be particularly successful in the Philippines due to the availability of high-quality researchers spread across the country. Probability methods of public opinion research enable citizen preferences to inform policy deliberations and indirectly provides the average citizen a voice in policy debates that might otherwise be dominated by political elites and the media.

Indonesian version of Local Economic Governance Index, 2007.
This year's Local Economic Governance Survey provides a fascinating look into the dynamics of local governance and business development in Indonesia nearly a decade after...

Indonesian version of Local Economic Governance Index, 2007.
This year's Local Economic Governance Survey provides a fascinating look into the dynamics of local governance and business development in Indonesia nearly a decade after regional autonomy. More than ever, citizens and businesses are pressing to know how well local governments are using their authority to provide better public services and improve their business climates. This is the sixth survey of a research program begun in 2001 by KPPOD, with support from the Asia Foundation. Each year the scope has expanded, beginning with 90 districts (2001), then 134 districts (2002), 200 districts (2003), 214 districts (2004), 228 districts (2005) and finally 243 districts this year.

This resource book is designed to be used by skilled Facilitator Trainers to deliver workshops on facilitation skills to local authority officials. The book contains background information on citizen participation and provides presentation...

This resource book is designed to be used by skilled Facilitator Trainers to deliver workshops on facilitation skills to local authority officials. The book contains background information on citizen participation and provides presentation material and group exercises on the "discussion method" and "workshop method" of engaging citizens in dialogue about public issues. The module will assist trainers to help local authority officials develop the skills and confidence needed to facilitate public consultations and come to consensus on solutions. The module is available in English, Sinhala and Tamil from The Asia Foundation and the Sri Lanka Institute of Local Governance (SLILG).

Thai language version of The Asia Foundation's second national survey of 1,500 Thai citizens explores the depth of color divisions in contemporary Thailand; key topics include the state of democracy in Thailand, elections, conflict and...

Thai language version of The Asia Foundation's second national survey of 1,500 Thai citizens explores the depth of color divisions in contemporary Thailand; key topics include the state of democracy in Thailand, elections, conflict and security, and options for reconciliation.