Region Asia | Heinrich Böll Stiftung

Photo: In a valley near a forested hill, several round water basins with light blue liquid and white pipelines are visible.

Rare Earths: Why European Industries Are Dependent on Myanmar

Almost two-thirds of the heavy rare earths on the global market come from Myanmar. How should Germany and Europe deal with the mining of urgently needed rare earths in the civil war-torn country of Myanmar?

By Johanna Sydow

Rare earth mining in Hpyi Di Village near Mai Ja Yang town, Kachin State, Myanmar

Fractured Authority and Resource Politics in Myanmar: New Report on Rare Earth Mining

Study

The mining of rare earths is not just about international raw materials policy, as a new study from Myanmar shows. It is also about environmental justice, local governance and the future of the civil war-torn country.

By Shanan Foundation

USAID-Administratorin Samantha Power und der kambodschanische Premierminister Hun Manet sitzen auf goldenen Sesseln. Im Hintergrund sind vielen Flaggen.

Cambodia Seeks Balance Between China and USA Under Trump 2.0

Background

Cambodia must choose its course wisely between China and the USA. The second Trump administration will redefine its diplomatic relations with Cambodia - but destroyed a lot of trust right from the start.

By Dr. Heike Löschmann

Dossiers

Afghanistan 2011: 10 Years of International Engagement

After ten years of international involvement in Afghanistan, a second conference will take plan in Bonn this December 2011 to discuss the country’s future. Since 2002, the Heinrich Böll Foundation has actively supported the development of civil society in Afghanistan and has promoted exchanges between the German and Afghan public. The following dossier provides a venue for comments, analysis and debate ahead of the Bonn Conference on Afghanistan.

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.

Publications

Addressing Afghanistan’s Climate Induced Exodus

E-Paper

In Southern Afghanistan, an urgent crisis is brewing. Water scarcity is driving large-scale displacement and migration, threatening to escalate into a global issue. Decades of drought have depleted traditional water sources, pushing communities to rely on unsustainable groundwater extraction.

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Afghanistan: Ruling by Decree

Policy Brief

Within Taliban governance, the absence of a constitution or legal structure leaves Emir's decrees as the principal guiding force. This policy brief looks at Taliban governance and the challenges posed by the reliance on moral guidance.

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Afghanistan: Response to Forced Returnees

Policy Brief

In 2023, tensions peaked between Afghanistan and Pakistan over the expulsion of Afghan nationals. This brief examines the institutional response, challenges, and recommendations for international support.

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Gender

International Women’s Day: The diverse meanings of “work from home” for women in Asia

Increase in domestic violence, lay-offs, care responsibilities, restrictions on domestic and international movement, economic insecurities, psychological burdens - these are just a few of the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic in Asia in the last two years. The gendered nature of COVID-19 impacts is obvious and has sparked large feminist responses in the region.

"It became my mission to locate women's voices"

Interview

Urvashi Butalia is one of India’s foremost feminists. On the occasion of her receiving Germany’s Goethe Medal on August 28, 2017 in Weimar, we have talked to her about her work as a publisher, feminism, writing and politics in India.

By Axel Harneit-Sievers

Democracy

Thailand: An uncommon common Museum

Artikel

Parts of Thailand's modern political history, about which nothing can be found in school textbooks, are being exhibited and preserved in an unconventional museum. All Thais should have their say there – not just important historical figures.

By Anon Chawalawan

India: When a sacred river turns rogue in the border

Article

Human intervention in the Ganga river is increasingly causing erosion, flooding, and landslides along the India-Bangladesh border. Local residents often lose their land, homes, and livelihoods, facing persecution and criminalization instead of support.

By Sourav Sarangi

Video

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Dr. Adil Najam is a leading global expert on issues related to developing country environmental policy, especially climate change. In this interview, that was conducted on November 11, 2013 in conjunction with our lecture series "Understand Pakistan", he speaks about his expectations for the COP19 in Warsaw. He underlines the importance of international agreements and calls for immediate action. He doesn't expect a significant accord to be signed in Warsaw this year - even though he wishes an agreement to be made.

Ecology

Politiker*innen aus Indien, Spielkarten mit deren Gesichtern, eine Hand mit Tinte am Finger, das indische Grundgesetz und eine Weltkugel im Hintergrund.

The 2024 Indian Election: A New Political Landscape Unfolds

Analysis

On June 4, the 18th national parliamentary elections took place in India. Almost one billion voters were called upon to vote. As expected, incumbent Narendra Modi was re-elected as Prime Minister. Yet, the cards were reshuffled.

By Jochen Luckscheiter, Shalini Yog Shah and Mirza Zulfiqur Rahman, PhD

Eine Collage von Narendra Modi im Vordergrund. Menschen mit BJP-Kappen, eine Fahne und eine Hand mit Wahlstempel im Hintergrund.

India Votes 2024: Debates, Moods and Context

Article

As India, the world’s largest democracy, heads towards its 2024 general elections, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) under the leadership of Narendra Modi seeks another five year term amidst collective mobilisation by opposition forces.

By Dr Kaustubh Deka

Perspectives Asia

Perspectives Asia #10: Fabrics of Society

The 10th issue of Perspectives Asia takes a look at how the pandemic is reshaping state/society relationships in different Asian countries; it also shares down-to-earth Covid-19 experiences from different regions and cultures, on issues as diverse as trust in government institutions, the situation of migrant workers, and gender relationships.

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Perspectives Asa: Cover of the 9th issue

Perspectives Asia: Two Sides of the Medals

This issue of Perspectives Asia examines intersections of sports and politics. We look at how, through sports, identities are shaped, myths and heroes are born, and unconventional truths are buried.

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All Issues

All articles from Asia

Introduction

Our Work 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.

Recordings

Southasian Perspecitves on the West
with Pankaj Mishra (Historian) and Nadeem Aslam (Writer) on September 12th, 2014

Events

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Offices in Asia

Video: Urvashi Butalia on Women's Rights in India