THE ASIA FOUNDATION · 2015-04-13 · the earth’s 6.5 billion people live in Asia, with China and...
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THE ASIA FOUNDATION : OUR MISSION OUR VALUES For more than 50 years, The Asia Foundation has invested in people and in the promise of the Asia Pacific. We believe in giving individuals a voice and the tools to help them achieve their goals. We believe in governments that protect and respond to all citizens, and in societies that give children the chance to succeed without regard to gender or circumstance. We believe in the unlimited capacity of knowledge to enlighten and in the ability of empowered communities to overcome poverty and despair. ASIA MATTERS What happens in Asia matters. More than half of the earth’s 6.5 billion people live in Asia, with China and India together representing more than 2 billion. In the U.S., over 14 million Americans trace their ancestry to this part of the world. Evidence of the Asia Pacific’s astonishing commer- cial growth and its benefits to the global economy surround us. Yet, the region’s rapid rise has been uneven. Globalization and our increasing interde- pendence have generated significant challenges, which affect us all. DAUNTING CHALLENGES Despite widespread economic success, the Asia Pacific remains home to many of the world’s most impoverished, with some 600 million people earning less than $1 per day. Conflict and natural disasters have affected tens of millions, leaving people fearful and insecure. Millions of women and girls in Asia still face tremendous barriers that perpetuate poverty, illiteracy, violence, and ill health. And many in the Asia Pacific now question America’s role in Asia, at one time considered essential to the region’s stability and prosperity. Throughout Asia, The Asia Foundation works to improve governance, law, and civil society; empower women; strengthen economic reform and development; and promote international relations. With a network of 17 field offices and a proven track record in Asia since 1954, the Foundation has been a leader in building human and institutional capacity throughout the Asia Pacific, providing thousands of scholarships, more than 40 million English-language books, and countless opportunities for training, expert assistance, and effective policy dialogues.
Transcript of THE ASIA FOUNDATION · 2015-04-13 · the earth’s 6.5 billion people live in Asia, with China and...
THE ASIA FOUNDATION:OUR MISS ION
OUR VALUES
For more than 50 years, The Asia Foundation hasinvested in people and in the promise of the AsiaPacific. We believe in giving individuals a voice andthe tools to help them achieve their goals. Webelieve in governments that protect and respond to all citizens, and in societies that give children the chance to succeed without regard to gender orcircumstance. We believe in the unlimited capacityof knowledge to enlighten and in the ability ofempowered communities to overcome poverty and despair.
ASIA MATTERS
What happens in Asia matters. More than half ofthe earth’s 6.5 billion people live in Asia, withChina and India together representing more than 2 billion. In the U.S., over 14 million Americanstrace their ancestry to this part of the world.
Evidence of the Asia Pacific’s astonishing commer-cial growth and its benefits to the global economysurround us. Yet, the region’s rapid rise has beenuneven. Globalization and our increasing interde-pendence have generated significant challenges,which affect us all.
DAUNTING CHALLENGESDespite widespread economic success, the AsiaPacific remains home to many of the world’s mostimpoverished, with some 600 million people earningless than $1 per day. Conflict and natural disastershave affected tens of millions, leaving people fearfuland insecure. Millions of women and girls in Asia still face tremendous barriers that perpetuatepoverty, illiteracy, violence, and ill health. Andmany in the Asia Pacific now question America’srole in Asia, at one time considered essential to theregion’s stability and prosperity.
Throughout Asia, The Asia Foundation works to improve governance, law, and civil society; empower women; strengthen economic reform and development; and promote international relations.With a network of 17 field offices and a proven track record in Asia since 1954, the Foundation has been a leader in building human and institutional capacity throughout the Asia Pacific, providing thousands of scholarships, more than 40 million English-language books, and countlessopportunities for training, expert assistance, and effective policy dialogues.
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WASHINGTON, DC1779 Massachusetts Ave., NWSuite 815Washington, D.C. 20036 USATel: (202) 588-9420Fax: (202) [email protected]
www.asiafoundation.org
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LASTING REMEDIESAsia’s problems are best solved by nationalleaders who are informed, capable, andwell equipped. International and localcharities alleviate immediate suffering byproviding food, shelter, and medical care.But these critical services are short-term.Lasting remedies address the underlyingcauses, not just the symptoms. This meanshelping people develop the skills necessaryto succeed and, at the same time, establish-ing an environment that permits domesticinitiatives to take root and thrive. The AsiaFoundation understands that the key tothis rests at the institutional level. ThroughThe Asia Foundation’s work:! A business-friendly environment with
reduced corruption, fees, and red tapeallows small and medium-sizedenterprises to drive sustained eco-nomic growth in Indonesia.
! A well-trained and accessible policeforce and judiciary can enforce the lawand eliminate the arbitrary and brutal use of force in Bangladesh.
! A system of health, education, and legal services protects migrantwomen from being trafficked orexploited in China’s Pearl RiverDelta.
! An effective network of local environ-mental groups helps government
improve water quality, limit vehicleemissions, and promote environ-mentally friendly tourism inVietnam.
! A nationwide effort in voter educationand election monitoring helps toensure free and fair elections inAfghanistan.
UNIQUE CAPABILITIES
Establishing and strengthening effective institutions thatsuccessfully bringabout long-termreform not onlyrequire technicalexpertise, but alsoa firm grasp ofthe local contextand long-stand-ing relationshipswith local organizations. Our uniqueapproach convenes diverse local, national,and regional stakeholders to create newincentives and partnerships to supportmuch-needed change.
The Asia Foundation has demonstrated an unrivaled commitment to the region,with more than 50 years of local knowl-edge, partnership, and trust that allows us to make a lasting impact – to createenduring opportunity in the region and togive Asia’s people the means to reach theirgoals. This is our mission and our promiseto those who join us.
The Asia Foundation is a private, non-profit,non-governmental organization. It is funded by contributionsfrom corporations, foundations, individuals,and governmental organizations in theU.S., Europe, Canada,Australia, and Asia,and an annual appro-priation from the U.S.Congress. Through its programs, theFoundation builds leadership, improves policies, and strengthensinstitutions to fostergreater openness andshared prosperity in theAsia-Pacific region.
INDONESIA | Small and Medium Enterprise Development
SRI LANKA | Tsunami Survivors
CHINA | Migrant Women Workers Receiving Scholarships
For the fifth consecutive year, The Asia Foundation has receivedCharity Navigator’s highest ratingof four stars for sound fiscal management. Charity Navigatoris an independent evaluator ofcharities; only 3 percent of ratedcharities have received five ormore consecutive four-star ratings.
