The Asia Foundation

While much of Asia is developing rapidly, some countries and subnational regions remain caught in protracted cycles of conflict and fragility, leading to under-development, poor governance and instability. State-society relations in these...

While much of Asia is developing rapidly, some countries and subnational regions remain caught in protracted cycles of conflict and fragility, leading to under-development, poor governance and instability. State-society relations in these environments are often troubled, and have frequently become the primary cause of prolonged conflict and fragility. Many citizens in conflict-affected and fragile regions have come to see their government as distant, unresponsive, inaccessible, or absent altogether. When citizens perceive states as illegitimate, many will simply avoid contact with their governments, and in some cases support violent challenges to state authority.

A report on findings from the implementation of the Support for Local Governance, Elections, and Civil Society in Timor Leste (GEC) project funded by USAID. The GEC project addressed capacity building efforts of 148 suco councils, or...

A report on findings from the implementation of the Support for Local Governance, Elections, and Civil Society in Timor Leste (GEC) project funded by USAID. The GEC project addressed capacity building efforts of 148 suco councils, or village-level government units of Timor-Leste, in the four districts of Oecusse, Bobonaro, Ainaro, and Baucau over a period of three years.

(In Vietnamese) The "Agricultural Cooperatives Manual" is a product of an Asia Foundation project to enhance capacity of rural cooperatives to respond effectively to the economic and development needs of their communities conducted between...

(In Vietnamese) The "Agricultural Cooperatives Manual" is a product of an Asia Foundation project to enhance capacity of rural cooperatives to respond effectively to the economic and development needs of their communities conducted between 2010 and 2012. The manual includes an analysis of Vietnam's legal documents on cooperatives, development of agricultural cooperatives in Vietnam, and international models of agricultural cooperatives.

(In Vietnamese) The legal handbook is part of an Asia Foundation project to enhance the efforts of CSOs to deliver social services to vulnerable populations affected by the global economic crisis. This handbook provides migrant workers with...

(In Vietnamese) The legal handbook is part of an Asia Foundation project to enhance the efforts of CSOs to deliver social services to vulnerable populations affected by the global economic crisis. This handbook provides migrant workers with information on their rights, procedures, and contacts for support.

Article by Tim Meisburger from Journal of Democracy, Vol 23, No. 1, January 2012. An essay on election systems in developing democracies - specifically the emerging...

Article by Tim Meisburger from Journal of Democracy, Vol 23, No. 1, January 2012. An essay on election systems in developing democracies - specifically the emerging transitions in the Middle East - drawing on Meisburger's previous experience of similar transitions in South Africa, Indonesia, East Timor and elsewhere, and research conducted at USAID.

A leader in election programs in Bangladesh for nearly 20 years, The Asia Foundation encourages free and fair elections by supporting civil society efforts in voter and civic education, domestic election monitoring, and advocacy for electoral...

A leader in election programs in Bangladesh for nearly 20 years, The Asia Foundation encourages free and fair elections by supporting civil society efforts in voter and civic education, domestic election monitoring, and advocacy for electoral reform, in close coordination with public institutions such as the Bangladesh Election Commission (BEC).

Since its inception in 2005, the Vietnam Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI) has been a critical tool for measuring and assessing the standards of economic governance in Vietnam's 64 provinces from the perspective of private sector...

Since its inception in 2005, the Vietnam Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI) has been a critical tool for measuring and assessing the standards of economic governance in Vietnam's 64 provinces from the perspective of private sector businesses. However, while the PCI has been influential in identifying issues that impact the enabling environment for private sector development, it cannot provide detailed feedback on what provincial governments can actually do to improve economic governance, and thereby support private sector development. In repeated conversations with provincial and national-level policy-makers, The Foundation has found that policy-makers are increasingly aware that there are governance problems at the provincial-level, but do not have the research and technical support to understand what specific reforms are most effective in improving the governance environment. The primary objective of the research is to map best practices in transparency/access to information that can be formulated into targeted technical assistance packages. The research includes both quantitative analysis of the PCI dataset and qualitative analysis of the case studies.

Since its inception in 2005, the Vietnam Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI) has been a critical tool for measuring and assessing the standards of economic governance in Vietnam's 64 provinces from the perspective of private sector...

Since its inception in 2005, the Vietnam Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI) has been a critical tool for measuring and assessing the standards of economic governance in Vietnam's 64 provinces from the perspective of private sector businesses. However, while the PCI has been influential in identifying issues that impact the enabling environment for private sector development, it cannot provide detailed feedback on what provincial governments can actually do to improve economic governance, and thereby support private sector development. In repeated conversations with provincial and national-level policy-makers, The Foundation has found that policy-makers are increasingly aware that there are governance problems at the provincial-level, but do not have the research and technical support to understand what specific reforms are most effective in improving the governance environment. The primary objective of the research is to map best practices in transparency/access to information that can be formulated into targeted technical assistance packages. The research includes both quantitative analysis of the PCI dataset and qualitative analysis of the case studies.

The global financial crisis has impacted negatively Vietnam's export and GDP growth, highlighting fundamental weaknesses in the country's economic structure and growth strategy. While export clearly will continue to play an important role in...

The global financial crisis has impacted negatively Vietnam's export and GDP growth, highlighting fundamental weaknesses in the country's economic structure and growth strategy. While export clearly will continue to play an important role in Vietnam's economic growth strategy, improving the competitiveness of exporting companies is crucial for Vietnam if the country is to enhance its export value and solve the trade deficit puzzle. The Foundation's assisted CIEM to research the competitiveness of exporting firms in Vietnam with a focus on three sectors: garments, seafood and electronic products. The research examines the characteristics, the nature and influencing factors affecting the competitiveness of the three selected sectors. The Central Institute for Economic Management (CIEM) is the leading research institute of the Ministry of Planning and Investment tasked with advising the government on economic policy. Findings from the research will contribute to recommendations to the government that will help facilitate Vietnam's sustainable growth and development.

Occasional Paper No. 10, January 2012

This paper explores the use of participatory action research as a method to deepen the practice of mediation at the village level in rural Nepal. Mediation, initially introduced with a strong...

Occasional Paper No. 10, January 2012

This paper explores the use of participatory action research as a method to deepen the practice of mediation at the village level in rural Nepal. Mediation, initially introduced with a strong Western orientation, has evolved through practice and the response to daily conflict during and after the civil war. At its inception, the program was framed as an "access to justice" initiative. Conducted with district and village-level mediators and trainers, the research yielded important insights into how and why mediation practices were effective, and led to significant changes in training materials and approach.

LankaCorps is a new and unique volunteer program for young professionals in the Sri Lankan diaspora, between the ages of 21 and 29, who want to contribute to this dynamic, multi-ethnic nation. Apply for a fellowship and help contribute to the...

LankaCorps is a new and unique volunteer program for young professionals in the Sri Lankan diaspora, between the ages of 21 and 29, who want to contribute to this dynamic, multi-ethnic nation. Apply for a fellowship and help contribute to the island's long-term recovery. Short-term placements are available with established businesses, nonprofits, and government departments. Participate in local social and economic initiatives and organizations, while discovering yourself and gaining a deeper understanding of contemporary Sri Lanka.

The Asia Foundation's Books for Asia program is the only regular book donation program in Bangladesh, and has provided more than 2 million books since the country's independence in 1971. Since 1954, the program has met a vital need in a...

The Asia Foundation's Books for Asia program is the only regular book donation program in Bangladesh, and has provided more than 2 million books since the country's independence in 1971. Since 1954, the program has met a vital need in a country where poverty and illiteracy are continuing problems. The Foundation welcomes prospective, qualified organizations as recipient partners in its Books for Asia program, which distributes English-language books, journals, and software to non-profit organizations and educational institutions and grantees. The program provides high-quality educational materials to help improve human resource development and increase the country’s economic and intellectual capacity.

Occasional Paper No. 9, December 2011

A brief paper that examines the development of the Polícia Nacional de Timor-Leste (PNTL) over the last decade, which has been a core focus of the international community as well as...

Occasional Paper No. 9, December 2011

A brief paper that examines the development of the Polícia Nacional de Timor-Leste (PNTL) over the last decade, which has been a core focus of the international community as well as successive national governments. As capacity has been developed at both the individual and organizational levels, the need for the PNTL to develop into a community oriented police service has been stated regularly. Despite this prominence in international and national rhetoric on police development, demonstrable progress toward making community policing a cornerstone of policing in Timor-Leste has been very limited. The political leadership of Timor-Leste is very focused on the issues around the police and the need for police reform. As a vague ambition rather than an immediate priority, community policing is chronically under-resourced, with the most recent FY12 budget leaving out its funds for training completely.