The Asia Foundation

In this issue: "National Geographic and Dr. Sakena Yacoobi Honored at Lotus Awards," "Visionary NGO Leader Sir Fazle Hasan Abed of BRAC is Asia Foundation Fellow," "Asia Foundation at Google's Big Tent on Open Data and Disaster Preparedness,"...

In this issue: "National Geographic and Dr. Sakena Yacoobi Honored at Lotus Awards," "Visionary NGO Leader Sir Fazle Hasan Abed of BRAC is Asia Foundation Fellow," "Asia Foundation at Google's Big Tent on Open Data and Disaster Preparedness," "Renowned Philanthropist Dr. Chong-Moon Lee Launches New Projects to Combat Human Trafficking," "Luce Scholars Report for Assignments in Asia," "Multimedia," "Briefly Noted," "Rockefeller Foundation Supports Post-Flood Recovery and Environment Initiative in Thailand."

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...

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.

This handbook is intended to provide international election observers in Thailand with all the information needed to effectively observe and report on the voting and counting processes on election day. It also includes suggestions for...

This handbook is intended to provide international election observers in Thailand with all the information needed to effectively observe and report on the voting and counting processes on election day. It also includes suggestions for pre-election and campaign monitoring to help assess the overall electoral environment.

Aid to Subnational Conflict and Post-Conflict Areas: Balancing Development, Governance, and Security

Subnational conflict is a widespread problem in Asia, affecting nearly two-thirds of the countries in South and Southeast Asia. While...

Aid to Subnational Conflict and Post-Conflict Areas: Balancing Development, Governance, and Security

Subnational conflict is a widespread problem in Asia, affecting nearly two-thirds of the countries in South and Southeast Asia. While most of Asia is rapidly developing, subnational conflict areas typically lag behind in key development indicators. Many of these regions have been afflicted by conflict for decades, leading to protracted cycles of under-development, poor governance and instability. These conditions create an environment that stifles local economic growth, prevents integration into the national and regional economies, and leads to deteriorating social services. The project team will focus on four cases of subnational conflicts and post-conflict in Asia: Mindanao and Sulu (Philippines), Southern Thailand, Northern and Eastern Sri Lanka, and Aceh (Indonesia).

Thai version. Press release announcing the release of "Constitutional Reform and Democracy in Thailand - A National Survey of the Thai People," a nationwide opinion poll in 26 provinces gauging the national mood toward election...

Thai version. Press release announcing the release of "Constitutional Reform and Democracy in Thailand - A National Survey of the Thai People," a nationwide opinion poll in 26 provinces gauging the national mood toward election reform, participation in politics, amending the constitution, and more. A democracy assessment survey.

Since early 2011, The Asia Foundation and the Korea Development Institute have been working together to move development effectiveness forward by facilitating mutual learning among both emerging Asian development cooperation partners and...

Since early 2011, The Asia Foundation and the Korea Development Institute have been working together to move development effectiveness forward by facilitating mutual learning among both emerging Asian development cooperation partners and "traditional" aid donors.

In March, 2002, The Asia Foundation organized and convened a conference on "United States-Thailand Relations in the 21st Century" in Washington, D.C., bringing together 10 senior Thais from government, business, academia, along with their...

In March, 2002, The Asia Foundation organized and convened a conference on "United States-Thailand Relations in the 21st Century" in Washington, D.C., bringing together 10 senior Thais from government, business, academia, along with their American counterparts.

Conducted by The Asia Foundation's office in Bangkok, this is its first public perception survey focused on Thailand's three southern border provinces of Yala, Narathiwas, and Pattani. The survey provides essential information on citizen views...

Conducted by The Asia Foundation's office in Bangkok, this is its first public perception survey focused on Thailand's three southern border provinces of Yala, Narathiwas, and Pattani. The survey provides essential information on citizen views and experiences in a region that has been plagued by unrest for six years.

Supporting Flood Relief, Recovery, and Resilience Measures

In October 2011, Thailand faced its most severe flooding in half a century. An especially long and heavy monsoon season caused flooding from Bangkok's Chao...

Supporting Flood Relief, Recovery, and Resilience Measures

In October 2011, Thailand faced its most severe flooding in half a century. An especially long and heavy monsoon season caused flooding from Bangkok's Chao Phraya River and several other neighboring river systems. Decades of inadequate planning and water resources management, as well as pressure from rapid urban growth, compromised the efficacy of both natural and built drainage courses from Bangkok to the Gulf of Thailand.

Occasional Paper No. 3, September 2010

This paper sketches out the operational features of emerging political economy-based approaches to sectoral economic policy reform. Section 1 traces some of the literature on the political...

Occasional Paper No. 3, September 2010

This paper sketches out the operational features of emerging political economy-based approaches to sectoral economic policy reform. Section 1 traces some of the literature on the political economy analysis of reforms. Section 2 outlines the international development community’s increasing recognition of the political economy aspects of economic governance, and their efforts to undertake sharper political economy analysis of reform challenges. Finally, in Section 3 the paper identifies elements of operational reform approaches that move beyond disengaged political economy analysis towards on-the-ground implementation of political strategies in policy reform processes.

V. Bruce J. Tolentino, Director, Economic Reform and Development, The Asia Foundation

Since 1961, The Asia Foundation has been working with private Islamic schools (pondok) in Thailand. The Foundation recognizes the central role of Islam in the education process and has partnered with local reformers working with...

Since 1961, The Asia Foundation has been working with private Islamic schools (pondok) in Thailand. The Foundation recognizes the central role of Islam in the education process and has partnered with local reformers working with pondok to upgrade the quality of their instruction.

Since 1961, The Asia Foundation has been working with private Islamic schools (pondok) in Thailand. The Foundation recognizes the central role of Islam in the education process and has partnered with local reformers working with...

Since 1961, The Asia Foundation has been working with private Islamic schools (pondok) in Thailand. The Foundation recognizes the central role of Islam in the education process and has partnered with local reformers working with pondok to upgrade the quality of their instruction.

The Asia Foundation assists a network of community radio presenters in the conflict-torn south to create an interactive radio script that provides listeners with the knowledge and skills they need to actively participate in democratic...

The Asia Foundation assists a network of community radio presenters in the conflict-torn south to create an interactive radio script that provides listeners with the knowledge and skills they need to actively participate in democratic processes.

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