Asia

As part of an effort by Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung Pakistan to further debate on the relationship between Women, Culture and Development, a discussion between various women scholars and activists was organized in the regional office in Lahore in 1994. The first meeting was developed to an Annual Women and Religion Symposium, held from 1996 until 2002, and was addressing a range of issues pertaining to women and different religious traditions.

This book, Scratching the Surface: Democracy, Traditions, Gender provides an inside to the multi-faceted nature of democracy and its complex demands. It looks into greater detail, the conceptual anomalies, the structural inequalities, and ethical defects, especially in the context of South Asian countries.

This book is about the devotional subcultures which women have always created. Its authors draw their evidence and inspiration from the Hindu, Buddhist, Islamic and Christian traditions of Asia in particular.

A selection of texts on climate change and Energy

The Supreme Court of India overturned a historic ruling of 2009 by the Delhi High Court, which legalised homosexual intercourse for the first time in India. But there is still a glimpse of hope.

The 4th Japanese-German Dialogue tries to strengthen the new strategic NATO-Japan partnership by identifying areas of mutual Japanese – German security interests and practical cooperation.

Renard Sexton is an International Expert on Resources and International Development. In this interview he explains the intimate and complex relationship of natural resources and conflict in Afghanistan.

Khwaga Kakar is Advisor to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan and Researcher on Water Issues. In this interview she explains the situation of Afghanistan concerning its water management.

How successful is India in its struggle against poverty? India's national Planning Commission recently claimed that within 7 years, the number of poor in India has declined by 22 per cent. These numbers are being challenged by many experts, according whom India's economic growth has left behind many more people.

In the recent elections Premier Hun Sen of Cambodia has learned that a large part of the Cambodians want a new political leadership. But even though his party has lost many votes, a change in the repressive political system is currently very unlikely.