Asia

The release of Aung San Suu Kyi raises many new questions about the future of Myanmar/Burma. Questions from the student Nay Thar (name changed) from Myanmar/Burma about the future role of Suu Kyi and the democracy movement.

The environment pays a heavy toll amid boom in demand for China's precious metals in the global market. A report from Inner Mongolia.

Heinrich Böll Stiftung supports a joint seminar of Indian and Pakistani experts on "Climate Change and Energy Security: Cooperation between Pakistan and India"

Acknowledging the multiple challenges that Pakistan is facing in this regard, the Ministry of Environment, in cooperation with partners, organized an “International Conference on Climate Change and Development” on 21st - 22nd October 2010 at the Serena Hotel in Islamabad. This interdisciplinary conference brought together a wide range of international organizations, academics, civil society and private sector to deliberate on climate change and development issues.

The security situation in Afghanistan and the role of the German army are topics of controversial discussion in the German media. Prior to the election of the parliament Sanjar Sohail, Afghan journalist and chief editor of the daily paper “Hasht-e Sobh” (“8 am”), talked to the Heinrich-Böll-Foundation about working conditions for journalists and the reputation of the German troops in Afghanistan.

Ms Binalakshmi Nepram, Founder of Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network and Secretary General of Control Arms Foundation of India has been conferred the Sean MacBride Peace Prize for the year 2010.

Afghan President Karzai established “Peace Council” for negotiations with the Taliban. The names of 68 members of this council were announced, and hold few surprises

Being a journalist is a dangerous job in Afghanistan. In the past nine years we have lost about fifteen journalists in different incidents. Just two days ago one of our famous news anchors was stabbed in Kabul. So it is dangerous because we always have the problem of accessing the information in the war zone. And the Taliban are not helping the journalists, but are always trying to capture and kill them.

The Armed Forces Special Powers Bill was passed by both the Houses of Parliament and it received the assent of the President on 11th September, 1958. On 8th September 2010 guests and resource persons from different organisations, the armed forces and men and women from all over India working on peace and conflict issues, discussed ideas and visions of peace building and the highly controversial and sensitive topic of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). Find out more about the conference on the website of our office in New Delhi (India).

Environmental protection is a hot discussed topic in industrialized countries, especially in Europe, whereas in developing countries such as Afghanistan this issue is not very popular due to poverty, war and the daily struggle to survive.