An article in The Korea Times discusses the possibility of renewed dialogue between the US and North Korea. The article quotes Edward Reed, who states that if the conditions are right, the US could agree to bilateral contact as a prelude to the resumption of the six-party talks on Pyongyang’s denuclearization. Read the full article: “US to test waters befor NK dialogue.”
An article in ExpressIndia announces the “Vital Voices of Asia” leadership and training summit, which will take place in New Delhi, September 14-17. The summit seeks to strengthen the network of women leaders across Asia. The Asia Foundation is identified as a sponsor of the event. Read the full article: “Vital Voice of Asia Summit to empower women.”
An article in The Christian Science Monitor discusses other nations’ reluctance to resume six-party talks with North Korea, despite the readiness expressed by Kim Jong-Il. Scott Snyder is quoted saying that the US is essentially requiring North Korea to make the first move towards denuclearization. Read the full article: “Why only North Korea may be ready for six-party talks.”
An article in Xinhua reports that the United States is launching a $40 million program to support women’s rights in Pakistan. The Asia Foundation is identified as a partner in the program, which will provide 400-500 grants to local organizations working to expand women’s empowerment and access to justice and human rights. Read the full article: “U.S. launches women’s rights program in Pakistan.”
An article in Yonhap News discussing Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter’s visit to North Korea quotes Scott Snyder, who said that “a Kim Jong-il meeting with Carter would not have had a big impact on US-DPRK relations since it was a private visit.” Read the full article: “Carter brings home American held in North Korea for trespassing: reports.”
An article in CNN examines speculation regarding Kim Jong Il’s trip to China, which coincided with former U.S. President Jimmy Carter’s trip to North Korea. Scott Snyder is quoted saying that If Kim left without meeting Carter, it would be perceived as an affront. Read the full article: “North Korean leader fuels speculation with trip to China.”
An article in Yonhap News details speculations regarding a visit by former president Jimmy Carter to Pyongyang to win the freedom of American journalist Aijalon Gomes. Scott Snyder is quoted discussing Carter’s 1994 visit, during which Kim Il-Sung negotiated for help from the U.S. in exchange for denuclearization. The story was picked up by The Korea Times, and a similar story appeared in The Chosun Ilbo. Read the full article: “USA hints at possible visit to North Korea by Jimmy Carter.”
An article in BusinessWorld reports that the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has advised the Philippine government to follow protocol in resuming peace talks. The protocol includes informing members of the International Contact Group, of which The Asia Foundation is a member, should talks resume between the two parties. Read the full article, “MILF advises state to follow protocol.”
An August 25th story on Radio Australia (ABC) discusses the recent decision by East Timor’s president, Dr Jose Ramos Horta, to pardon 23 rebels involved in his attempted murder in 2008. Silas Everett comments on the lack of details about the shooting itself and the new issues raised. Read the full article: “Timor pardon raises new issues.”
An August 23 story on Radio Australia (ABC) examines Thailand’s offer to help mediate in the long-running separatist insurgency in the southern Philippines. Steve Rood is interviewed on his thoughts on Thailand as a facilitator of the talks, reconciliation efforts under the new Aquino administration, and the current situation in Mindanao. Read the full article: “Thailand offers to mediate Philippines Muslim conflict.”
An article in Asia Times Online reports on former President Jimmy Carter’s trip to North Korea. Carter is set to travel to North Korea ‘within days’ in the capacity of a private citizen to try to gain the freedom of an American imprisoned for illegally entering the communist nation. Asia Foundation, Scott Snyder, is quoted as saying “North Koreans are looking for a sense of prestige and respect. They feel a visit by the former president will give it to them. “Read the full article: “Carter linked to Pyongyang mission.”
A Philippine Daily Inquirer op-ed written by the chief of Social Weather Stations (SWS) celebrates 25 years of statistics for advocacy. The piece highlights The Asia Foundation’s consistent sponsorship of its survey and acknowledges Country Representative Steven Rood for his support. Read the full article: “25 years of statistics for advocacy.”
with
Katherine Brown
Truman National Security Project Fellow; Former Communications and Public Events Advisor, U.S. Embassy Kabul; NGO Worker; Former White House Staffer
&
Olga Oliker
Senior International Policy Analyst, the RAND Corporation
Monday, August 23, 2010
5:30 networking reception, 6-7:30 p.m. program
Location: Commonwealth San Francisco Club Office
MLF: Asia-Pacific Affairs
Cost: MEMBERS FREE, $20 non-members
Following the overthrow of the misogynistic Taliban regime in Afghanistan, the situation for women seemed to enter a promising era. A Ministry of Women was established, and a new constitution guaranteed women 25 percent representation in the legislature. But progress has been stymied in Afghanistan. More than 80 percent of Afghan women are illiterate and many remain victims of violence. Brown and Oliker will address the key challenges that hamper progress in Afghanistan and discuss how women are working to create possible solutions.
Co-sponsored with the Commonwealth Club in association with the Truman National Security Project Educational Institute and the Asia Society of Northern California. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons/U.S. Air Force Sgt. Derrick C. Goode.
Purchase tickets here.
An article in Philippine Daily Inquirer discusses the merits of polling as an aid to democratic national governance and the recently released results of “Survey on Good Local Governance,” a national survey conducted by Social Weather Stations and sponsored by The Asia Foundation. Read the full article: “Polling for good local governance.”
An op-ed in The Chronicle of Higher Education details the imbalance of intellectual trade between China and the United States: surveys show that Chinese lack in-depth understanding about the United States, and opportunities for fieldwork in the States are lacking. The author’s suggestions to improve the situation include having organizations like The Asia Foundation expand existing programs for Chinese to learn about the United States. Read the full article: “China’s Deficit in American Studies.”
In an APEC Express interview on KPFA, Samar Minallah discusses her background, the significance of creating local-language documentaries, and pressing issues facing women in Pakistan. Her fellowship with The Asia Foundation is mentioned. Listen to the full podcast.
An article in The New York Times reports that non-governmental aid groups have vowed to stay in Afghanistan despite the recent slaying of 10 foreign relief workers. The article cites The Asia Foundation as one such group, and one of the oldest American agencies working in Afghanistan. Read the full article: “Aid Groups in Afghanistan Vow to Stay.”
A Pacific Island News Association article details The Pacific Disaster Risk Management Partnership Network meeting to be held August 12-13. The event will bring together development partners and donor organizations to discuss disaster risk reduction and disaster management from a multi-stakeholder approach. It will be organized by The Asia Foundation with several other organizations, including USAID and the United Nations Development Programme Pacific Centre. Read the full article: “Protecting the Pacific: Disaster Risk Managers to meet in Suva.”
The Wall Street Journal’s MarketWatch.com featured The Asia Foundation’s Economic Governance Index, also known as EGI, a study that ranks 19 local Bangladeshi governments on how effectively they interact with small businesses. The Asia Foundation surveyed 3,800 firms in 19 districts in Bangladesh in order to collect data. Read the release here: “The Asia Foundation’s Bangladesh Economic Governance Index Ranks 19 Local Governments on Business-Friendliness.”
with Samar Minallah
Chang Lin Tien Visiting Fellow, The Asia Foundation
Founder, Ethnomedia
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
The World Affairs Council Auditorium
312 Sutter Street, 2nd Floor
San Francisco, CA 94108
Cost: Members or Asia Foundation guests free; Non-Members $15, Students $5
Women’s voices in rural Pakistan and Afghanistan are rarely heard. Samar Minallah, one of Pakistan’s few documentary film makers, is changing that–one film at a time. An anthropologist, writer and human rights advocate, Minallah travels throughout Pakistan and Afghanistan, using her camera to give a voice to women isolated from the outside world. The founder of Ethnomedia, a Pakistan-based NGO that raises awareness about human rights violations and people displaced by war, one of Minallah’s documentaries was used as evidence at a hearing in the Supreme Court of Pakistan. Now in San Francisco on an Asia Foundation Chang Lin Tien Visiting Fellowship at the Global Fund for Women, she says she works to “change the false image of women portrayed by extremist groups through mass media.” Minallah says she does this work to guarantee things change for future generations. To those that disagree with her provocative work, she says, “they are just a background noise now to me.”
Samar Minallah will share excerpts from her documentaries and discuss using video as an advocacy tool for women’s rights in Pakistan.
Co-sponsored by the World Affairs Council of Northern California
Check-in: 5:30 PM, Program: 6:00 PM
Register for this event at The World Affairs Council.
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