The Asia Foundation

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.

The Mongolian economy is growing at an unprecedented rate. Sustained economic growth is boosting gross domestic product (GDP), supporting job creation, reducing poverty levels, and allowing the economy to expand into new...

The Mongolian economy is growing at an unprecedented rate. Sustained economic growth is boosting gross domestic product (GDP), supporting job creation, reducing poverty levels, and allowing the economy to expand into new fields. Despite these impressive successes, there have been persistent reports in the media about the existence of corrupt practices. These reports often relate to government employees asking businessmen for non-stipulated fees in return for services, for example, to process or expedite obtaining permits and documents, such as licenses, needed by business to operate. Until now, there has been no data about the pervasiveness of corrupt practices affecting business-government relations in Mongolia. The Study of Private Perceptions of Corruption (STOPP) was designed to obtain a picture of the extent of corruption, based on the experience of members of the business community. Interviewing representatives of small, medium, and large sized business enterprises, this study captures the similarities and differences companies face in relation to corrupt practices, breaking down the findings by sector.

The Books for Asia program provides U.S-published English-language educational and reference materials, such as books, software, and other educational supplements on a wide variety of subjects. These educational materials are provided to...

The Books for Asia program provides U.S-published English-language educational and reference materials, such as books, software, and other educational supplements on a wide variety of subjects. These educational materials are provided to schools, libraries, and non-profit research centers in Mongolia. The program encourages the free exchange of ideas by supplying materials in all fields of knowledge, thereby strengthening institutional resources for education and research.

Despite recent improvements in the country's economy, gender inequality in Mongolia persists. Through our Women's Empowerment Program, The Asia Foundation works to advance women's rights, increase women's economic opportunities, and address...

Despite recent improvements in the country's economy, gender inequality in Mongolia persists. Through our Women's Empowerment Program, The Asia Foundation works to advance women's rights, increase women's economic opportunities, and address the challenges that hinder women's full participation in society.

Mongolia's past two decades of rapid political, economic, and social change have resulted in a strong democratic foundation and high rates of mineral-driven economic growth. However, Mongolia still faces many governance challenges, including...

Mongolia's past two decades of rapid political, economic, and social change have resulted in a strong democratic foundation and high rates of mineral-driven economic growth. However, Mongolia still faces many governance challenges, including weak administrative processes, a lack of transparency and accountability, and corruption. Conflicts of interest are common as politics and economic interests are often intertwined.

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.

As Mongolia moves into a new phase of its development, driven predominantly by rapid economic growth in the extractive industries, it faces a number of significant challenges. Rapid rates of urbanization are leading to an increasingly...

As Mongolia moves into a new phase of its development, driven predominantly by rapid economic growth in the extractive industries, it faces a number of significant challenges. Rapid rates of urbanization are leading to an increasingly overwhelming concentration of the population in urban centers, especially Ulaanbaatar.  As a result of this rapid population growth, more than half the area of Ulaanbaatar today consists of unplanned settlements called ger districts, which house more than half of the city's residents and nearly 25 percent of Mongolia's total population. The Asia Foundation has been working to support improvements in the ger districts for a number of years.

Mongolia is experiencing unprecedented growth and change, fueled by revenues from mining. Although the country's transition to democracy has been relatively smooth, citizen satisfaction is low. The concentration of economic opportunity in the...

Mongolia is experiencing unprecedented growth and change, fueled by revenues from mining. Although the country's transition to democracy has been relatively smooth, citizen satisfaction is low. The concentration of economic opportunity in the capital, Ulaanbaatar, has created a huge urban migration, with nearly 50 percent of Mongolians now living in the capital. Meeting the needs of recent arrivals in Ulaanbaatar and creating economic opportunities in other regional cities will be important if Mongolia is to deliver sustainable, broad-based improvements in the welfare of its population. The government of Mongolia is committed to fostering more responsive and capable local governments to improve citizen satisfaction, recognizing that decentralization often contributes to better development outcomes. Policymakers, led by the office of the president, are therefore pursuing an ambitious agenda to revive Mongolia's decentralization process.

As mining grows in importance to Mongolia's economy, local communities and the environment will increasingly feel the impact. Effective government institutions and citizen participation in local resource decisions will be imperative. Since...

As mining grows in importance to Mongolia's economy, local communities and the environment will increasingly feel the impact. Effective government institutions and citizen participation in local resource decisions will be imperative. Since 2006, The Asia Foundation has promoted responsible mining in Mongolia by supporting collaboration between industry, government and civil society.

The Mongolian economy is growing at an unprecedented rate. Sustained economic growth is boosting gross domestic product (GDP), supporting job creation, reducing poverty levels, and allowing the economy to expand into new fields. Despite these...

The Mongolian economy is growing at an unprecedented rate. Sustained economic growth is boosting gross domestic product (GDP), supporting job creation, reducing poverty levels, and allowing the economy to expand into new fields. Despite these impressive successes, there have been persistent reports in the media about the existence of corrupt practices. These reports often relate to government employees asking businessmen for non-stipulated fees in return for services, for example, to process or expedite obtaining permits and documents, such as licenses, needed by business to operate. Until now, there has been no data about the pervasiveness of corrupt practices affecting business-government relations in Mongolia. The Study of Private Perceptions of Corruption (STOPP) was designed to obtain a picture of the extent of corruption, based on the experience of members of the business community. Interviewing representatives of small, medium, and large sized business enterprises, this study captures the similarities and differences companies face in relation to corrupt practices, breaking down the findings by sector.

The Asia Foundation in Mongolia has been promoting, facilitating, and supporting responsible use of water and minerals for the long-term prosperity of all Mongolians. The Foundation’s approach is to inform, engage, and empower civil...

The Asia Foundation in Mongolia has been promoting, facilitating, and supporting responsible use of water and minerals for the long-term prosperity of all Mongolians. The Foundation’s approach is to inform, engage, and empower civil society to participate actively in decisionmaking that has direct consequences on communities, households, and individuals.

The Asia Foundation in Mongolia has been promoting, facilitating, and supporting responsible use of water and minerals for the long-term prosperity of all Mongolians. The Foundation’s approach is to inform, engage, and empower...

The Asia Foundation in Mongolia has been promoting, facilitating, and supporting responsible use of water and minerals for the long-term prosperity of all Mongolians. The Foundation’s approach is to inform, engage, and empower civil society to participate actively in decisionmaking that has direct consequences on communities, households, and individuals.

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.

The Asia Foundation's Books for Asia program distributes books and other reading materials for all educational levels to 18 Asian countries. Since its inception in 1954, Books for Asia has provided nearly 45 million books and journals to...

The Asia Foundation's Books for Asia program distributes books and other reading materials for all educational levels to 18 Asian countries. Since its inception in 1954, Books for Asia has provided nearly 45 million books and journals to more than 50,000 academic and non-academic institutions throughout Asia. In Mongolia, the Books for Asia program has donated more than 700,000 English-language books to Mongolian high school libraries, public libraries, university and college libraries, and government and non-governmental organizations throughout Mongolia.

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.

The Asia Foundation has been at the forefront of addressing human trafficking issues in Mongolia since 2002. In May 2009, the Foundation was awarded a two-year program to reduce and deter human trafficking, from and within Mongolia, through...

The Asia Foundation has been at the forefront of addressing human trafficking issues in Mongolia since 2002. In May 2009, the Foundation was awarded a two-year program to reduce and deter human trafficking, from and within Mongolia, through improved investigation, prosecution, and prevention.

While one third of Mongolia's 2.7 million citizens are still nomadic, half of Mongolia’s population now resides in Ulaanbaatar, and harsh winters combined with the depletion of natural resources push more and more Mongolians to settle in...

While one third of Mongolia's 2.7 million citizens are still nomadic, half of Mongolia’s population now resides in Ulaanbaatar, and harsh winters combined with the depletion of natural resources push more and more Mongolians to settle in developed areas. The Asia Foundation works with government and NGO partners to support more effective service delivery, citizen engagement, and local government orientation on the skills and knowledge needed for the urban context.

The tenth semi-annual Corruption Benchmarking Survey (CBS) was conducted, in collaboration with the Sant Maral Foundation. The purpose of this survey is to better understand the scope and incidence of corruption at the household level in...

The tenth semi-annual Corruption Benchmarking Survey (CBS) was conducted, in collaboration with the Sant Maral Foundation. The purpose of this survey is to better understand the scope and incidence of corruption at the household level in Mongolia. (Mongolian Version)

The tenth semi-annual Corruption Benchmarking Survey (CBS) was conducted, in collaboration with the Sant Maral Foundation. The purpose of this survey is to better understand the scope and incidence of corruption at the household level in...

The tenth semi-annual Corruption Benchmarking Survey (CBS) was conducted, in collaboration with the Sant Maral Foundation. The purpose of this survey is to better understand the scope and incidence of corruption at the household level in Mongolia. 

The ninth semi-annual Corruption Benchmarking Survey (CBS) was conducted, in collaboration with the Sant Maral Foundation. The purpose of this survey is to better understand the scope and incidence of corruption at the household level in...

The ninth semi-annual Corruption Benchmarking Survey (CBS) was conducted, in collaboration with the Sant Maral Foundation. The purpose of this survey is to better understand the scope and incidence of corruption at the household level in Mongolia.

The Asia Foundation’s Books for Asia program provides quality English-language educational and reference materials on a wide variety of subjects to schools, libraries, and non-profit research centers throughout Mongolia.  ...

The Asia Foundation’s Books for Asia program provides quality English-language educational and reference materials on a wide variety of subjects to schools, libraries, and non-profit research centers throughout Mongolia.  Khishig-Undur School is located in Bulgan Aimag (Province), Khishig-Undur Soum (Village) 318 kilometers northwest of Ulaanbaatar, the capital city of Mongolia. Khishig-Undur School has received books from Books for Asia in 1997, 1999 and in 2007. Since 1998, the school has received the top awards for its students studying English language for Bulgan Aimag.

A key threat to Mongolia’s economic growth and democratic governance is corruption. As mineral wealth accrues and the government works to regulate the industry, the potential for corruption increases. Corruption is pervasive in...

A key threat to Mongolia’s economic growth and democratic governance is corruption. As mineral wealth accrues and the government works to regulate the industry, the potential for corruption increases. Corruption is pervasive in Mongolia. A rapid transition to democracy and a market economy created huge demands on a bureaucracy that lacks the resources and checks,and balances to prevent corruption.

In Mongolia, trafficking in persons for commercial and sexual exploitation is on the rise, though relatively few cases have been tried, and fewer perpetrators convicted. Law enforcement and judicial officials face daunting challenges in...

In Mongolia, trafficking in persons for commercial and sexual exploitation is on the rise, though relatively few cases have been tried, and fewer perpetrators convicted. Law enforcement and judicial officials face daunting challenges in their efforts to investigate, prosecute, and adjudicate human trafficking cases. Though Mongolian anti-trafficking statutes were significantly strengthened in early 2008, weaknesses remain in the interpretation and implementation of the legal code.