Asia - For further information click on regions or offices
People in Delhi
Introduction
The work of the Heinrich Böll Foundation in Asia
The aim of our projects in Asia is to support the democratisation of the region and promote the recognition of human rights. Our work also focuses on promoting environmental sustainability and social justice. more»
Current
Afghan Women
Policy Paper
Eight Years After: Is the Driver’s Seat Still Empty? - The State of Women in Afghanistan
March 24, 2010 - Despite real changes for the Afghan people, especially women continue to suffer from human rights abuses in many areas of life. This policy paper focuses on progress and shortcomings in the area of womens rights and their participation in society, followed by a number of recommendations on how to further improve the condition of women in Afghanistan. By the Afghan Civil Society Forum Organization more»
Documentation
Pakistan: Reality, Denial and the Complexity of its State – March 17, 2010 - On 11th February 2010, the Heinrich Boell Foundation organised an expert round table discussion to inaugurate the release of their new publication “Pakistan – Reality, Denial and the Complexity of its State”. Two authors who published articles in the book were invited from Pakistan to Berlin to present and discuss their work. more»
TLO-Policy Brief
Tribal Jurisdiction and Agreements: The Key to Sub-National Governance in Southeastern Afghanistan – March 16, 2010 - In many parts of Afghanistan, non-state institutions remain relevant to security and stability, despite repeated and concerted state-led attempts from the late 19th century onward to expand its administrative influence, including control over the provision of security and the administration of justice. This policy brief examines the historical background of tribal contracts, to what extent they still play a role in local governance today, and what implications can be drawn for the current promotion of community governance arrangements. more»
Interview
The Future of Afghanistan: A Perspective from India – March 15, 2010 - An interview with Shanthie Mariet D’Souza (Associate Fellow at IDSA, Visiting Research Fellow at the Institute of South Asian Studies (ISAS),National University of Singapore (NUS). more»
Die Gebiete Waziristan, FATA und Punjab
Why Pakistan can’t fight terrorism – March 8, 2010 - There are factors that persuade Pakistan to fight against the terrorist organisations located on its soil. There is an equal number of factors militating against Pakistan’s campaign to fight terrorism. By Khaled Ahmed more»
Foto: Gregor Enste
Dossier
London 2010: New chance for Afghanistan? – This Afghanistan Dossier offers a variety of articles, analysis and commentary from Afghanistan, Pakistan, India and Germany, regarding the current situation in Afghanistan and its potential outcomes. more»
Attendees sitting under a banner with the Conference Logo
Conference Declaration
India-Pakistan Conference: A Road Map towards Peace – February 16, 2010 - Distrust, suspicion and hostility has kept relations between India and Pakistan simmering even in the best of times. In the aftermath of the Mumbai attacks in November 2008, the so far made progress in the bilateral peace process came to a complete standstill. An initiative to bring the dialogue back on track was started by civil society, conducting a three day conference in New Delhi, co-organized by Heinrich-Böll-Foundation. more»
VIDEO
Bente Aika Scheller: "Afghanistan needs more civil projects" – February 4, 2010 - Interview with Dr. Bente Aika Scheller, Director of the Heinrich Boell Foundation in Kabul, about the Afghanistan Conference in London. more»
more about Asia»
Crisis Prevention
VIDEO
Bente Aika Scheller: "Afghanistan needs more civil projects"
February 4, 2010 - Interview with Dr. Bente Aika Scheller, Director of the Heinrich Boell Foundation in Kabul, about the Afghanistan Conference in London. more»
Safe haven for Taliban: The Hindu Kush in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Title: Afghanistan Topography. Author: Sadalmelik. License: Creative Commons BY-SA 3.0.
Documentation
The Role of the Bilateral Relationship Between Afghanistan and Pakistan – February 5, 2009 - Experts from Afghanistan, Pakistan and German and international scientists, politicians and journalists outline challenges for the stabilisation process in the region. more»
symposium in Kabul
Introduction
Crisis Prevention & Conflict Management in Asia – January 28, 2008 - Acute or latent conflicts jeopardise the political stability of numerous Asian countries. Even in countries that have so far been considered stable, violent conflict could flare up at any given moment. more»
Democracy
Documentation
Pakistan and the West
October 26, 2009 - In collaboration with the Social Science Research Centre Berlin, the Heinrich Böll Foundation organised a panel discussion on the subject "Pakistan and the West" on October 26, 2009. The main focus was the ongoing “Talibanisation” of the country. more»
Supreme Court of Pakistan (Photo: Gregor Enste)
Documentation
Rule of Law: The Case of Pakistan – October 26, 2009 - Pakistan is a war zone facing serious threats from militants and terrorists besides a number of other problems and difficulties that urgently demand the establishment of democratic structures as well as rule of law. In the light of the current crisis, high-ranking guests from Pakistan and various German experts discussed structures and deficits of rule of law as well as the current state of affairs. more»
Photo: Tanja Plötz
Dossier
Tibet Background – The riots prior to the Olympic Games have put the Tibet issue back on the global agenda. The Heinrich Böll Foundation pursues the goal to contribute to shape public political opinion by providing a revised, updated Tibet dossier, which approaches the complexity of the Tibet issue from multiple perspectives. more»
Gathering at the World Social Forum, Karachi
Introduction
Democratisation & Civil Society in Asia – January 28, 2008 - Mainly in the 1990s, Southeast Asian countries have seen a wave of democratisation. At present this process of stabilisation and the further development of the democracies in Asia, especially in Southeast Asia, is on the verge of subsiding. more»
Gender
Publication
In Search of Economic Alternatives for Gender and Social Justice: Voices from India
August 30, 2010 - The publication is an edited collection of short essays by Indian authors on economic structures, relations and principles that are needed to serve the goals of sustainable economic and human development, poverty eradication, social justice, and empowerment of the most vulnerable segments of society: women. more»
Interview
Pakistan: “The Gender Discourse Needs to Be Linked to Local Realities” – December 16, 2009 - Recently, the power of the Taliban in connection with the attitude of the society was widely discussed, but once again gender and women issues were not highlighted. Durre Ahmed, chairperson and senior research fellow at the Centre for the Study of Gender and Culture in Lahore, about the current situation and development of the gender discourse in Pakistan. more»
Film: Women´s Perspectives: A Case Study of Systematic Land Registration in Cambodia
Video
Women´s Perspectives: A Case Study of Systematic Land Registration in Cambodia – The film by Nana Yuriko describes the experiences of 5 single women in the Joint Land Titling process in Cambodia. By giving voice to these women, the Heinrich Böll Foundation hopes to contribute to improvements in the recognition and registration of women's land rights in Cambodia. Produced by the Cambodia Country Office of the Heinrich Böll Foundation more»
Film: Empowering Women Over Cambodia´s Airwaves
Video
Empowering Women Over Cambodia's Airwaves – This short film by Ian White delivers insight into a women radio programme in Cambodia. Together with the Solidarity and Community Development Association the Heinrich Böll Foundation designed a training and radio programme to encourage women's participation in politics. more»
parade in China
Introduction
Gender & Women's Issues in Asia – January 28, 2008 - Through their social and political empowerment women in Asia have actively determined their own lives – notwithstanding traditionally inclined societies that define the general living conditions of women, often at the cost of equal and self-determined opportunities. more»
Ecology
Photo: Joachim Loch
Interview
"At least we don't subsidize the car industry but public buses"
An interview with Sunita Narain, director of the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), on India's climate policy and its international and national context. By Sven Hansen more»
desertification of farmland in China
Introduction
Sustainable Development & Natural Resources in Asia – January 28, 2008 - The ecosystems in far reaching regions of Asia are severely endangered. The heedless exploitation of natural resources and the incessant destruction of nature threaten the basic living standards of vast numbers of people. more»
Publications
Publication series democracy
Pakistan - Reality, Denial and the Complexity of its State
December 28, 2009 - This publication is designed to provide a differentiated view of Pakistan’s complex political processes and social challenges to a broad international audience. Authors from a variety of disciplines present their analyses of Pakistan’s deficits and shortcomings, as well as their ideas and visions for a more democratic and peaceful future. more»
Cover: In Search of Aluminum
Study
In Search of Aluminum: China's Role in the Mekong Region – December 18, 2009 - This study provides an overview of bauxite mining – the chief material used in the production of aluminum – in three key locations in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam and takes a deeper look at China’s role in this context. The study also examines the regional linkages behind bauxite mining decision-making in the three Mekong countries and unpacks the degree to which environmental and social considerations have been taken into account in the decision-making process. By Kate M. Lazarus more»
Publication
The Heinrich Böll Foundation in Southeast Asia – November 6, 2008 - The Southeast Asia Regional Office of the Heinrich Böll Foundation in Chiang Mai and the Cambodia Country Office Phnom Penh present their current programme in a new brochure. more»
Publication Series Democracy
Afghanistan – December 11, 2008 - This first issue of the publication series on “Promoting Democracy under Conditions of State Fragility” examines critically  the current political and social situation in Afghanistan, as well as the project activities of the Heinrich Böll Foundation in the country. more»
Publication Series Democracy
International Assistance and Governance in Afghanistan – December 9, 2008 - Afghanistan in 2006 faced an acute crisis, which can only be solved by a long-term commitment to improved governance. An assistance framework presents opportunities, but requires further elaboration. By Hamish Nixon more»
Publication
Afghanistan’s Parliament in the Making – June 29, 2009 - The involvement of women in Afghanistan’s public life is decreasing. Attacks, vigilantism, and legal processes that contradict the basic principles of human and women’s rights are the order of the day. This book, based on interviews of male and female members of parliament, examines the realities of parliamentary work in Afghanistan. more»
Study
Rethinking Investments in Natural Resources: China´s Emerging Role in the Mekong Region – January 29, 2009 - This study aims to shed some light on China’s economic role in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia as a basis for constructive dialogue between decision makers and other stakeholders in China and the Mekong countries. The research focus is on Chinese investments in natural resources while also touching on issues related to trade and aid. By Jeff Rutherford, Kate Lazarus and Shawn Kelley more»
Scratching the Surface: Democracy, Traditions, Gender
Book
Scratching the Surface: Democracy, Traditions, Gender – January 10, 2008 - This book provides an insight into the multi-faceted nature of democracy and its complex demands. It looks into the conceptual anomalies, the structural inequalities and ethical defects, especially in the context of South Asian countries. more»
Contact
Contact Asia Department
more»
Office Addresses
Offices of the Heinrich Böll Foundation in Asia – December 29, 2008 - The Heinrich Böll Foundation has offices in Bangkok (Thailand), Phnom Penh (Cambodia), Lahore (Pakistan), Kabul (Afghanistan), New Delhi (India) und Beijing (China). more»