The Asia Foundation

In this issue: "Afghanistan Poll," "Ten Years in Vietnam," "First-ever Survey on Thailand's Troubled South," "Luce Scholars," "Cambodia: Countering Domestic Violence," "Partner Highlight: Del Monte Foundation Gets Books to Children in the...

In this issue: "Afghanistan Poll," "Ten Years in Vietnam," "First-ever Survey on Thailand's Troubled South," "Luce Scholars," "Cambodia: Countering Domestic Violence," "Partner Highlight: Del Monte Foundation Gets Books to Children in the Philippines," "Spotlight: David D. Arnold Leads The Asia Foundation," and Program Highlights from Malaysia and Mongolia.

To help identify and address key challenges confronting MSMEs in their local and regional business environments, The Asia Foundation has developed a program of Public- Private Dialogues, focused on the subnational level. Local Public-Private...

To help identify and address key challenges confronting MSMEs in their local and regional business environments, The Asia Foundation has developed a program of Public- Private Dialogues, focused on the subnational level. Local Public-Private Dialogues (LPPDs) bring together local authorities, civil servants, and the private sector to discuss local impediments to business. LPPDs help local stakeholders eliminate obstacles to economic development, by providing a forum for consultation and cooperation, and fostering mutual trust and understanding.

To help identify and address key challenges confronting MSMEs in their local and regional business environments, The Asia Foundation has developed a program of Public- Private Dialogues, focused on the subnational level. Local...

To help identify and address key challenges confronting MSMEs in their local and regional business environments, The Asia Foundation has developed a program of Public- Private Dialogues, focused on the subnational level. Local Public-Private Dialogues (LPPDs) bring together local authorities, civil servants, and the private sector to discuss local impediments to business. LPPDs help local stakeholders eliminate obstacles to economic development, by providing a forum for consultation and cooperation, and fostering mutual trust and understanding.

There are many potential benefits to an economically connected and integrated Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). But connectivity in maritime Southeast Asia remains a serious challenge. ASEAN is beginning to address these issues,...

There are many potential benefits to an economically connected and integrated Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). But connectivity in maritime Southeast Asia remains a serious challenge. ASEAN is beginning to address these issues, with the adoption of a Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity. Among its flagship projects is a regional "roll-on, roll-off" nautical transportation network, patterned after the innovative system pioneered in the Philippines with support from The Asia Foundation.

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 Rapid Field Appraisal (RFA) was developed as a monitoring tool by the USAID-funded Local Development Assistance Program (LDAP), and produced a wealth of information that was intended "to give decision-makers in the Philippines a ground...

The Rapid Field Appraisal (RFA) was developed as a monitoring tool by the USAID-funded Local Development Assistance Program (LDAP), and produced a wealth of information that was intended "to give decision-makers in the Philippines a ground level feel of what was happening throughout the country in the process of Code implementation." This RFA focuses on the progress of decentralization on the ground, i.e., what the local governments have done in exercising the powers that were devolved to them as provided by the 1991 Local Government Code (LGC), as well as the benefits to the people that followed from them.

Occasional Paper No. 2, July 2010

The processes of development are fundamentally shaped by powerful political, economic, and security actors in aid-recipient countries. These actors use their influence to shape formal governance...

Occasional Paper No. 2, July 2010

The processes of development are fundamentally shaped by powerful political, economic, and security actors in aid-recipient countries. These actors use their influence to shape formal governance institutions, policies, and the distribution of development assistance to advance their interests. The political settlements framework is an important new approach that may help international development organizations to better understand and respond to this reality and the challenges to developmental progress that is often affected by political dynamics in developing countries. This paper seeks to translate the concepts underlying political settlements into principles, strategies, and guidelines for practical action by donors and other development assistance organizations.

Thomas Parks, Regional Director for Governance and Conflict, The Asia Foundation
William Cole, Senior Director, Governance, Law, and Civil Society Programs & Program Strategy and Development, The Asia Foundation

The Philippines suffers from endemic conflicts on many levels, some arising out of traditional cleav - ages and others from the complex responses of a society undergoing rapid change. Political insta - bility, intra-community conflicts over...

The Philippines suffers from endemic conflicts on many levels, some arising out of traditional cleav - ages and others from the complex responses of a society undergoing rapid change. Political insta - bility, intra-community conflicts over natural resources, and the conflicts in Mindanao in par- ticular, continue to undermine efforts to improve the country's economy and governance. The Asia Foundation aims to address conflicts through enhanced conflict resolution mechanisms; improved communication channels within affected commu- nities and between government and com munity groups; and policy-oriented substantive discussions with inputs from key stakeholders.

The Transparent Accountable Governance (TAG) program of The Asia Foundation addresses some
of the local governance problems in the Philippines through customized technical assistance, supporting civic engagement, and by working with the...

The Transparent Accountable Governance (TAG) program of The Asia Foundation addresses some
of the local governance problems in the Philippines through customized technical assistance, supporting civic engagement, and by working with the leagues of local governments.

The Transparent Accountable Governance (TAG) Project of The Asia Foundation was a well- respected and extremely effective endeavor supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The project was based on the twin...

The Transparent Accountable Governance (TAG) Project of The Asia Foundation was a well- respected and extremely effective endeavor supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The project was based on the twin goals of 1) promoting good governance and 2) strengthening the foundation for sustainable economic growth and poverty reduction in the Philippines.

TAG Tools is a guide primarily for local governments planning to embark on a program of reform in their selected area or areas of concern.

This project by the Center for Research and Communication, supported by The Asia Foundation, evaluates the Roll-on/Roll-off (RO-RO) Transport Policy developed to reduce the high cost of transporting goods from Mindanao to Manila. The RO-RO...

This project by the Center for Research and Communication, supported by The Asia Foundation, evaluates the Roll-on/Roll-off (RO-RO) Transport Policy developed to reduce the high cost of transporting goods from Mindanao to Manila. The RO-RO policy's goal is to establish an integrated national highway system consisting of both road and nautical networks. The system would promote and facilitate seamless movement of people and goods from Mindanao to Luzon through the Visayas and has already delivered benefits, including reduced transport cost, increased regional trade, enhanced tourism and agricultural productivity, growth in investments, and development in the countryside as well as poverty reduction.

Michael Johnston, Charles A. Dana Professor of Political Science at Colgate University in Hamilton, New York, gave a talk entitled "Beyond Perceptions: Measuring Vulnerabilities to Corruption" at a public seminar held at the AIM Conference...

Michael Johnston, Charles A. Dana Professor of Political Science at Colgate University in Hamilton, New York, gave a talk entitled "Beyond Perceptions: Measuring Vulnerabilities to Corruption" at a public seminar held at the AIM Conference Center. The seminar was jointly organized by The Asia Foundation and the Hills Program on Governance of the Asian Institute of Management. The event was attended by individuals from government, civil society, business, academe, and media.

The Asia Foundation maintains elections programs, including monitor and voter education, in nine countries in Asia. In recent years, the Foundation has implemented significant elections programs in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia,...

The Asia Foundation maintains elections programs, including monitor and voter education, in nine countries in Asia. In recent years, the Foundation has implemented significant elections programs in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, the Philippines, Pakistan, and Timor-Leste.

The Asia Foundation maintains elections programs, including monitor and voter education, in nine countries in Asia. In recent years, the Foundation has implemented significant elections programs in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia,...

The Asia Foundation maintains elections programs, including monitor and voter education, in nine countries in Asia. In recent years, the Foundation has implemented significant elections programs in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, the Philippines, Pakistan, and Timor-Leste.

This volume presents several studies on feuding or clan confl icts, popularly known in Mindanao as rido. This effort is the result of a coordinated research conducted by Mindanao-based civil society organizations and academic institutions with...

This volume presents several studies on feuding or clan confl icts, popularly known in Mindanao as rido. This effort is the result of a coordinated research conducted by Mindanao-based civil society organizations and academic institutions with support from the United States Agency for International Development (usaid) and The Asia Foundation. The studies variously mapped the incidence of clan confl icts in Mindanao and conducted in-depth investigations into the root causes of the confl icts, the parties involved, the conditions for their escalation and recurrence, the relationship to other forms of confl ict, and the potential for confl ict resolution.