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FACILITATION OF DIALOGUE & EXCHANGES

The Asia Foundation seeks to promote greater understanding between Asians and their counterparts in other parts of the world, thus strengthening regional and international cooperation. The Foundation has the in-house capacity to design and facilitate Asia-to-Asia, Asia-to-America, and America-to-Asia exchanges in the form of academic studies, conferences, and study tours specifically built around particular needs. These efforts are often part of larger programmatic efforts that address strategic issues facing the Asia-Pacific region. The Foundation’s reputation as a neutral convener enables it to bring stakeholders together around important - and often sensitive - issues of common concern.

Examples:

With funds from the U.S. Department of State, the Foundation organized a regional counter-trafficking workshop in 2003 for its partner organizations from Cambodia, Laos, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam to develop networks and exchange best practices in protecting the rights of victims of human trafficking and prosecuting traffickers.
Since 1980, the Foundation has cooperated with China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to support 73 young and mid-career diplomats in U.S. master’s degree studies in International Public Policy to help the Ministry professionalize its diplomatic corps. In 2001, the Foundation and the Indian Ministry of External Affairs established a similar fellowship to help Ministry officers develop a better understanding of U.S. foreign policy and its implications for regional and global security in relation to South Asia.