The Asia Foundation

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

Vietnamese version of press release announcing a new grant of $500,000 from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for a two-year project to strengthen the Government of Vietnam's ongoing anti-trafficking efforts in the...

Vietnamese version of press release announcing a new grant of $500,000 from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for a two-year project to strengthen the Government of Vietnam's ongoing anti-trafficking efforts in the Mekong Delta. The new project will reach 40,000 students through education and training.

English version. This document provides a summary of key findings of a research project aimed at a better understanding of the nature of administrative complaints in Vietnam, the existing structure resolving those complaints, and how...

English version. This document provides a summary of key findings of a research project aimed at a better understanding of the nature of administrative complaints in Vietnam, the existing structure resolving those complaints, and how such a mechanism can be improved.

Vietnamese version. This document provides a summary of key findings of a research project aimed at a better understanding of the nature of administrative complaints in Vietnam, the existing structure resolving those complaints, and...

Vietnamese version. This document provides a summary of key findings of a research project aimed at a better understanding of the nature of administrative complaints in Vietnam, the existing structure resolving those complaints, and how such a mechanism can be improved.

Training Needs Assessment Report: Public Library Institutions and Communal Cultural Post Offices in Thai Nguyen, Nghe An, and Tra Vinh Provinces. Building Capacity for Public Library Institutions in Support of Public Access to the Internet in...

Training Needs Assessment Report: Public Library Institutions and Communal Cultural Post Offices in Thai Nguyen, Nghe An, and Tra Vinh Provinces. Building Capacity for Public Library Institutions in Support of Public Access to the Internet in Vietnam Project.

Training Needs Assessment Report: Public Library Institutions and Communal Cultural Post Offices in Thai Nguyen, Nghe An, and Tra Vinh Provinces. Building Capacity for Public Library Institutions in Support of Public Access to the Internet in...

Training Needs Assessment Report: Public Library Institutions and Communal Cultural Post Offices in Thai Nguyen, Nghe An, and Tra Vinh Provinces. Building Capacity for Public Library Institutions in Support of Public Access to the Internet in Vietnam Project. (Vietnamese language version)

(In English and Vietnamese) An analysis of the mechanism for administrative complaints in Vietnam. The analysis addresses legal loopholes, confusions and overlaps in complaints handling agencies' mandate, enforcement practice and lack of...

(In English and Vietnamese) An analysis of the mechanism for administrative complaints in Vietnam. The analysis addresses legal loopholes, confusions and overlaps in complaints handling agencies' mandate, enforcement practice and lack of remedies that impede the effective handling of the petitions and provides recommendations for the draft law on petitions.

THE EXPERIENCE OF THE ASIA FOUNDATION IN INDONESIA, CAMBODIA, VIETNAM, SRI LANKA, AND BANGLADESH

The Asia Foundation’s approach to effective economic governance builds on the knowledge that the engine for sustainable growth is...

THE EXPERIENCE OF THE ASIA FOUNDATION IN INDONESIA, CAMBODIA, VIETNAM, SRI LANKA, AND BANGLADESH

The Asia Foundation’s approach to effective economic governance builds on the knowledge that the engine for sustainable growth is the formal and informal MSME sector, the major source of employment for most countries in Asia. However, the growth and job-generation performance of MSMEs are often constrained by a wide spectrum of institutional obstacles. To address the constraints to MSME growth, the Foundation has developed specialized tools to analyze local business environments, measure the quality of local economic governance, assess progress through a set of quantitative and qualitative indicators, and support policy reforms. Local Economic Governance Indexes (EGIs), developed in collaboration with local and international partners, are one of these tools.

11x17 version.

The Asia Foundation’s approach to effective economic governance builds on the knowledge that the engine for sustainable growth is the formal and informal MSME sector, the major source of employment for most...

11x17 version.

The Asia Foundation’s approach to effective economic governance builds on the knowledge that the engine for sustainable growth is the formal and informal MSME sector, the major source of employment for most countries in Asia. However, the growth and job-generation performance of MSMEs are often constrained by a wide spectrum of institutional obstacles. To address the constraints to MSME growth, the Foundation has developed specialized tools to analyze local business environments, measure the quality of local economic governance, assess progress through a set of quantitative and qualitative indicators, and support policy reforms. Local Economic Governance Indexes (EGIs), developed in collaboration with local and international partners, are one of these tools.

The 2008 PCI survey is the largest and most comprehensive assessment and ranking of the performance of provincial governments based on the views expressed by over 7,820 domestic entrepreneurs and managers from firms across Vietnam’s 64...

The 2008 PCI survey is the largest and most comprehensive assessment and ranking of the performance of provincial governments based on the views expressed by over 7,820 domestic entrepreneurs and managers from firms across Vietnam’s 64 provinces. Every year, this highly anticipated survey gauges the impact of economic and administrative reforms at both the provincial and national levels and guides the decisions of Vietnam’s policymakers, business leaders, and entrepreneurs.

Summary of The Vietnam Provincial Competitiveness Index 2008: Measuring Economic Governance for Private Sector Development. The 2008 PCI survey is the largest and most comprehensive assessment and ranking of the performance of...

Summary of The Vietnam Provincial Competitiveness Index 2008: Measuring Economic Governance for Private Sector Development. The 2008 PCI survey is the largest and most comprehensive assessment and ranking of the performance of provincial governments based on the views expressed by over 7,820 domestic entrepreneurs and managers from firms across Vietnam’s 64 provinces. Every year, this highly anticipated survey gauges the impact of economic and administrative reforms at both the provincial and national levels and guides the decisions of Vietnam’s policymakers, business leaders, and entrepreneurs.

Organizational Development and Community Mobilization in the Policy and Law-making Process

Civil Society Empowerment and Participation in the Policy and Law-making Process in Vietnam Project

This assessment provides a...

Organizational Development and Community Mobilization in the Policy and Law-making Process

Civil Society Empowerment and Participation in the Policy and Law-making Process in Vietnam Project

This assessment provides a basis for developing a training program within a project on internal governance and advocacy for VNGOs.

(Vietnamese Version.) Organizational Development and Community Mobilization in the Policy and Law-making Process

Civil Society Empowerment and Participation in the Policy and Law-making Process in Vietnam Project

(Vietnamese Version.) Organizational Development and Community Mobilization in the Policy and Law-making Process

Civil Society Empowerment and Participation in the Policy and Law-making Process in Vietnam Project

This assessment provides a basis for developing a training program within a project on internal governance and advocacy for VNGOs.

Lessons learned and practical experiences for future program design and implementation. 2002-2008. The report features an overview culled from The Foundation's experience in implementing program interventions in collaboration with an expanding...

Lessons learned and practical experiences for future program design and implementation. 2002-2008. The report features an overview culled from The Foundation's experience in implementing program interventions in collaboration with an expanding network of local and international partners that share our commitment to bettering the lives of trafficking victims and protecting those at-risk of being trafficked.

A nonprofit sector governance guide for NGOs and civil society groups in Vietnam to provide them with a broader understanding of civil society development issues in general and in Vietnam in particular; and to provide clear guidance on the...

A nonprofit sector governance guide for NGOs and civil society groups in Vietnam to provide them with a broader understanding of civil society development issues in general and in Vietnam in particular; and to provide clear guidance on the critical elements affecting the establishment and operations of a strong and credible civil society organization - from internal governance issues, to fundraising, to human resources.

The 2007 PCI survey - the third annual edition - is the largest and most comprehensive assessment and ranking of the performance of provincial governments based on the views expressed by over 6,700 entrepreneurs and managers of small and...

The 2007 PCI survey - the third annual edition - is the largest and most comprehensive assessment and ranking of the performance of provincial governments based on the views expressed by over 6,700 entrepreneurs and managers of small and medium (SME) enterprises across Vietnam's 64 provinces.

The Asia Foundation’s international relations program in Vietnam strengthens and improves U.S.- Vietnam relations by convening bilateral conferences, organizing research placements for visiting American and Vietnamese scholars, and...

The Asia Foundation’s international relations program in Vietnam strengthens and improves U.S.- Vietnam relations by convening bilateral conferences, organizing research placements for visiting American and Vietnamese scholars, and supporting the development of Vietnamese Studies in the United States. One of the keys to fostering a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of the United States in Vietnam is helping Vietnamese universities to develop and expand their emerging American Studies programs.

The Vietnam Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI) was developed by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and USAIDfunded Vietnam Competitiveness Initiative (VNCI) in 2005, to assess and rank 42 provincial governments by their...

The Vietnam Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI) was developed by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and USAIDfunded Vietnam Competitiveness Initiative (VNCI) in 2005, to assess and rank 42 provincial governments by their regulatory environments for private sector development, while controlling for differences in their initial endowments. The index attracted considerable attention from various stakeholders, including the business community, media, donor community, and the provinces themselves. Most impressive has been the positive actions undertaken by a number of provincial authorities to use the PCI to better identify and understand the problems confronting the private sector, and to improve their treatment of such businesses.

In 2005 the Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI) was developed by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and the USAID-fund- ed Vietnam Competitiveness Initiative (VNCI) to assess and rank 42 provincial governments by their...

In 2005 the Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI) was developed by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and the USAID-fund- ed Vietnam Competitiveness Initiative (VNCI) to assess and rank 42 provincial governments by their regulatory environments for private sector develop- ment, controlling for differences in initial endow- ments. The index attracted considerable attention from various stakeholders including the business community, the media, the donor community and of course the provinces themselves. Most impressive has been the positive actions undertaken by a num- ber of provincial authorities to use the PCI to under- stand the problems confronting the private sector and to improve their treatment of business.

The Asia Foundation is a leader in the fight against trafficking in persons in Asia, one of the most egregious human rights abuses in the region. In Vietnam, women and children are trafficked to China, Cambodia, Taiwan, and South Korea for...

The Asia Foundation is a leader in the fight against trafficking in persons in Asia, one of the most egregious human rights abuses in the region. In Vietnam, women and children are trafficked to China, Cambodia, Taiwan, and South Korea for sexual exploitation, forced marriages, labor in sweatshops, and/or domestic servitude; and the number of trafficking victims increases annually. Even when these victims manage to return to Vietnam, they face tremendous difficulty in reintegrating into their communities. Stigmatized by society and traumatized by their experience, they generally do not have the education and skills necessary for gainful employment. These women are at a high risk of being re-trafficked.

The Asia Foundation supports initiatives to strengthen institutional and human resource capacity, public-private partnerships, and policy reform in the fields of governance and law. Through a combination of grants and technical assistance, the...

The Asia Foundation supports initiatives to strengthen institutional and human resource capacity, public-private partnerships, and policy reform in the fields of governance and law. Through a combination of grants and technical assistance, the Foundation assists organizations throughout Asia on a range of critical issues, including national and local governance, legislative development, elections, access to justice, and conflict resolution.