The Asia Foundation

Indonesia's "big bang" decentralization in 2001 shifted much of the responsibility for local economic development to now more than 400 district governments. But the performance of these districts has varied widely. This paper attempts to...

Indonesia's "big bang" decentralization in 2001 shifted much of the responsibility for local economic development to now more than 400 district governments. But the performance of these districts has varied widely. This paper attempts to understand the determinants of sub-national (district) growth in Indonesia and map how these determinants have changed since prior to the crisis.

The executive summary of the research Mr. Wiratmadinata conducted during his six-month fellowship at the University of Maryland's Center for International Development and Conflict Management, as The  Asia Foundation's William P. Fuller...

The executive summary of the research Mr. Wiratmadinata conducted during his six-month fellowship at the University of Maryland's Center for International Development and Conflict Management, as The  Asia Foundation's William P. Fuller Fellow in Conflict Resolution for 2008.

An excerpt from Expressing Islam: Religious Life and Politics in Indonesia, edited by Greg Fealy and Sally White (Singapore: Institute of Southeast Asian Studies), 2008, pp. 174-191. Reproduced here with the kind permission of the...

An excerpt from Expressing Islam: Religious Life and Politics in Indonesia, edited by Greg Fealy and Sally White (Singapore: Institute of Southeast Asian Studies), 2008, pp. 174-191. Reproduced here with the kind permission of the publisher, Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, Singapore.

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

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

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.

Occasional Paper No. 5, March 2011

A review of the basic theoretical and programmatic rationale for the series of Economic Governance Indices (EGIs) conducted by The Asia Foundation in countries throughout South and Southeast Asia,...

Occasional Paper No. 5, March 2011

A review of the basic theoretical and programmatic rationale for the series of Economic Governance Indices (EGIs) conducted by The Asia Foundation in countries throughout South and Southeast Asia, including Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Indonesia.

The performance of Indonesia's logistics sector is still below that of neighboring countries in Asia. This study aims to identify problems in the logistics sector in the Province of East Nusa Tenggara (Nusa Tenggara Timur, NTT). This study...

The performance of Indonesia's logistics sector is still below that of neighboring countries in Asia. This study aims to identify problems in the logistics sector in the Province of East Nusa Tenggara (Nusa Tenggara Timur, NTT). This study covers land and maritime transportation (harbors and ferries) as well as regulatory aspects, for trade both within NTT (inter-island) and between NTT and other regions (inter-province).

The performance of Indonesia's logistics sector is still below that of neighboring countries in Asia. This study aims to identify problems in the logistics sector in the Province of East Nusa Tenggara (Nusa Tenggara Timur, NTT). This study...

The performance of Indonesia's logistics sector is still below that of neighboring countries in Asia. This study aims to identify problems in the logistics sector in the Province of East Nusa Tenggara (Nusa Tenggara Timur, NTT). This study covers land and maritime transportation (harbors and ferries) as well as regulatory aspects, for trade both within NTT (inter-island) and between NTT and other regions (inter-province).

Occasional Paper No. 6, June 2011

A brief paper examining how civil society organizations take advantage of the increased opportunities created by decentralization to influence local policy outcomes in urban areas of Indonesia,...

Occasional Paper No. 6, June 2011

A brief paper examining how civil society organizations take advantage of the increased opportunities created by decentralization to influence local policy outcomes in urban areas of Indonesia, focusing on the cities of Semarang and Pekalongan. 

The first chapter of the new Asia Foundation book Innovations in Strengthening Local Economic Governance in Asia. The book summarizes The Asia Foundation's experience designing and implementing programs aimed at strengthening economic...

The first chapter of the new Asia Foundation book Innovations in Strengthening Local Economic Governance in Asia. The book summarizes The Asia Foundation's experience designing and implementing programs aimed at strengthening economic governance in Asia.

This new book from The Asia Foundation summarizes the Foundation's experience designing and implementing programs aimed at strengthening economic governance in Asia. Authored by Asia Foundation staff experts V. Bruce. J. Tolentino, Nina...

This new book from The Asia Foundation summarizes the Foundation's experience designing and implementing programs aimed at strengthening economic governance in Asia. Authored by Asia Foundation staff experts V. Bruce. J. Tolentino, Nina Merchant-Vega, Veronique Salze Lozac'h, Maria Belen Bonoan, Jaime Faustino, Hari Kusdaryanto, Frida Rustiani, and Arumaithurai Subakaran.

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.

In partnership with Acehnese institutions, The Asia Foundation has supported community development, education and economic reform programs in Aceh since the 1970s. Because of these longstanding partnerships, the Foundation was able to respond...

In partnership with Acehnese institutions, The Asia Foundation has supported community development, education and economic reform programs in Aceh since the 1970s. Because of these longstanding partnerships, the Foundation was able to respond quickly in the aftermath of the December 2004 tsunami, helping its partners to mobilize volunteers, deploy health workers, and conduct relief operations.

Sejak tahun 1970-an, bermitra dengan lembaga-lembaga di Aceh, Asia Foundation mendukung inisiatif pengembangan masyarakat, peningkatan kualitas pendidikan dan ekonomi. Bertumpu pada kemitraan yang telah lama berlangsung tersebut, Asia...

Sejak tahun 1970-an, bermitra dengan lembaga-lembaga di Aceh, Asia Foundation mendukung inisiatif pengembangan masyarakat, peningkatan kualitas pendidikan dan ekonomi. Bertumpu pada kemitraan yang telah lama berlangsung tersebut, Asia Foundation menanggapi dengan cepat situasi di Aceh paska tsunami Desember 2004; mendukung mitra memobilisasi sukarelawan, tenaga-tenaga kesehatan dan bantuan mendesak lainnya. Sejak awal, strategi Asia Foundation mengedepankan pendekatan yang bersifat jangka panjang dan kolaboratif; antara lain bekerjasama dengan berbagai universitas, lembaga pemerintah, kelompok perempuan, organisasi masyarakat sipil, dan para pemuka agama setempat dalam program reformasi ekonomi, bantuan pendidikan, prakarsa hukum, dan tata pemerintahan. Pada tahun 2007, program-program Asia Foundation di Aceh memfokuskan perhatian pada pemberdayaan perempuan Aceh di berbagai lapisan masyarakat.

In January, 2005, the United States, Canada, and Europe completed the phase-out of quotas governing imports of textiles and apparel in accordance with the Agreement on Textiles and Clothing (ATC). The Asia Foundation works toward policy reform...

In January, 2005, the United States, Canada, and Europe completed the phase-out of quotas governing imports of textiles and apparel in accordance with the Agreement on Textiles and Clothing (ATC). The Asia Foundation works toward policy reform in the post-ATC environment.

For over 50 years, The Asia Foundation has been cooperating with Indonesian organizations to expand women’s rights and opportunities, and enable them to participate and be effective leaders in the political and economic life of their...

For over 50 years, The Asia Foundation has been cooperating with Indonesian organizations to expand women’s rights and opportunities, and enable them to participate and be effective leaders in the political and economic life of their society.

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.

Religious courts in Indonesia preside over family law cases such as inheritance, marriage, divorce, child support, and child custody. Gender bias has been a significant challenge to the principles of fairness and justice that religious courts...

Religious courts in Indonesia preside over family law cases such as inheritance, marriage, divorce, child support, and child custody. Gender bias has been a significant challenge to the principles of fairness and justice that religious courts in Indonesia are meant to uphold. In recent years, there has been a growing movement led by religious court judges intent on improving gender equality. The Asia Foundation is responding to this demand through partnerships with state and civil society actors to provide religious judges with the knowledge and resources they need to ensure gender equality in their court decisions.

Religious courts in Indonesia preside over family law cases such as inheritance, marriage, divorce, child support, and child custody. Gender bias has been a significant challenge to the principles of fairness and justice that religious courts...

Religious courts in Indonesia preside over family law cases such as inheritance, marriage, divorce, child support, and child custody. Gender bias has been a significant challenge to the principles of fairness and justice that religious courts in Indonesia are meant to uphold. In recent years, there has been a growing movement led by religious court judges intent on improving gender equality. The Asia Foundation is responding to this demand through partnerships with state and civil society actors to provide religious judges with the knowledge and resources they need to ensure gender equality in their court decisions.