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Rural communities, suburban and urban areas are what make a city a city. But imagine if all rural communities, and the aforementioned urban areas are…

Their lives have never been the same after the salinity intrusion. The photo series part two reveals enormous impact of climate change on coastal…

The Afghan human rights activist Shaharzad Akbar has been advocating for an inclusive and democratic future for Afghanistan since her youth. Born in…

With fresh water increasingly scarce in the coastal areas of Bangladesh, women and girls must wash their menstrual cloths and other sanitary items in…

The renewed interest in an Asian Monetary Fund is a continuation of existing regional currency cooperation since the 1997 Asian financial crisis.…

Nepal is wedged between two powers: China and India. As great power rivalry spills over in the region, Nepal finds itself increasingly constrained.…

Pakistan's National Security Policy addresses the country’s particular geopolitical situation, including a new geo-economic focus. It offers a fresh…

An endeavour in Central Vietnam is bringing sustainable illumination to the area’s traditional Katu ethnic homes. The Duông house project in Quảng Nam…

The idea to set up an Asian Monetary Fund (AMF) has been revived after 30 years by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim amid increasing worries…

The idea of an Asian Monetary Fund has been regaining traction among the economies of the Indo-Pacific region, nearly 30 years since it was proposed…

Why are people in Vietnam increasingly quitting social security system? Labour representative, Vu Minh Tien, looks at pressures driving this trend in…

Great power competition has intensified in the Indo-Pacific region; India is in the centre of these geopolitical and geoeconomic push and pulls.…

The age when algorithms control humans. How true is it?

The destructive controlling aspect of platform algorithms reveals the true nature of platform…

How does geopolitical competition impact the trajectory of Myanmar? What roles do China, Russia, India as well the neighbors play? In our exclusive…

The US-China strategic rivalry has placed South Korea in a difficult position. Prof Chung-in Moon takes a look at the country’s domestic debates and…

Singapore is significantly intertwined with both US and China - even as the rivalry between them increases. Dr Yeo Lay Hwee shares her observations on…

Political economist and human rights experts underlined that any money spent in the current crises must focus on the needs of both women and men. FES…

Halima Binte Islam told us that the FES New York Summer School was not just a series of lectures; it was a transformative experience that fueled her…

Get a glimpse of the hidden chains of modern slavery in Pakistan, as millions endure bonded labour. Explore the critical and courageous role of…

Workers in Bangladesh’s huge tannery sector have been bearing the brunt of recent “sustainability” drives, as authorities have relocated polluting…

Prof C. Raja Mohan looks at India’s changing approach to China and reviews the possibilities for cooperation between India and Germany in reshaping…

The relationship between India and Germany is founded on shared democratic values, and enshrined in multi-level institutional arrangements. This is a…

At this match, "the Ball" is not only for kicking, but is also about forging solidarity between people to take action for a better world. Vietnamese…

We are recognizing workers in various sectors and industries across Asia. Their stories are the testament to the reality of their life and work…

Workers in Bangladesh’s renowned tea plantations have been fighting injustice and exploitation for more than a century. Trade unions have made some…

Pakistani women have been striving for rights and representation along the history of Pakistan’s politics. What has been progress towards more gender…

Nepali tea has great international market potential as colleagues of FES Nepal learned during a recent visit to Jhapa (Eastern Nepal). However,…

The reorganisation of the world economy is in full swing. To survive, not only companies but entire nations need to adapt their development models

Mongolia’s path to become a parliamentary democracy is unique. A public consultation now revealed where Mongolian citizens see potential for…

In Ulaanbaatar, the air was thick with pollution during the six cold months of the long Mongolian winter. Immediate measures are urgently needed to…

New FES project offers platform to discuss evidence-based policy options and implementation strength to tackle gender injustices in the Asia-Pacific…

In the era of automation and digitization, qualification and training requirements for workers are undergoing drastic changes. Candidates, especially…

“We, Korean women, survive no matter what it takes, because that's who we are."

Pakistani experts convene to analyse major regional and global dynamics at play and provide strategies on how the country can manage geopolitical…

Cooperatives have been developed to be an ethical business model for socio-economic development of underserved women in India. Explore recent…

Bahav (eng: flow) explores how Nepalese women in two of Nepal’s most remote districts have been navigating changing climatic conditions and their…

2022 marked another successful year of our regional programme on the new geopolitics of Asia. These are our highlights.

Marc Saxer explores the controversial debate over the appropriate answer to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which has laid open a disconnect between…

Over the years, climatologists have made it clear that the world needs to transition to renewable energy soon to prevent runaway climate collapse.

Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Nepal and the Centre for Labour and Social Studies (CLASS) Nepal conduct first-ever power resource assessment of…

Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung and environmental non-profit Live & Learn initiate Green Youth Labs: a training and mentoring programme for innovation and a…

Diverging views on the Russian invasion of Ukraine dominated the conversations during the visit to Europe by the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung’s Asia…

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has been seen by the West, in particular in Europe, as a threat to its conception of the world order. But this view is…

The country’s most vulnerable are stuck between a rock and a hard place.

An interview on empowering women in Pakistan’s local politics with Shad Begum.

Young people attending the COP27 climate summit in Egypt are calling for loss and damage compensation to cope with the irreversible impacts of climate…

Mongolian experts and thought-leaders analyze the geopolitical and geo-economic dynamics that may shape the country’s future and discuss the…

We are now facing not just a climate crisis, but also an inequality crisis. COP27 must address both challenges by financing a just climate transition.

Unseasonal rain and extreme weather events affect agricultural productivity and fish stock of farmers and fisherfolk in India. Could conversations at…

Role models and their stories have a great impact on supporting conversations about gender equality and gender justice. The FES Nepal Office collected…

Thailand has a long and demonstrated history of balancing its foreign policy against big powers. But the new geopolitical dynamics of the region…

Cities tend to reflect traditional gender roles and gendered division of labour. Instead, urban planning and design should address inequalities and…

Trade union membership in Pakistan is no higher than at independence in 1947, causing the country and its citizens to miss out on the potential…

Experts share their analysis of what the changing geopolitical landscape in Asia means for the Korean Peninsula.

An interview with FES partner Khadim Hussain Mirani about relief efforts, the climate crisis, and the challenges for workers and local economies in…

Latest research unveils key issues and opportunities for women and the future of work in South Asia.

What makes foreign interests in the Pacific Islands grow and what does their engagement mean for the future of the small island nations?

Recent local elections in Nepal have brought a number of independent candidates into office. Among them is Balendra Shah ‘Balen’, Kathmandu…

Thailand's current practices and policies only include some of the elements that will be needed to achieve their ambitious commitment to reach…

An interview with Chalie Charoenlarpnopparut about Thailand’s pledges, plans and priorities for its energy transformation.

Marc Saxer answers questions about the larger implications of the war in Ukraine on the Asia-Pacific region and the future of the global order.

Wan-Suk Hong answers questions about the larger implications of the war in Ukraine on East Asia and the Korean Peninsula.

50 years of German-Bangladesh relations are being celebrated by the Bangladesh office of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung and the Centre for Governance…

The Asia-Pacific is one of the most strategically contested areas on the globe. The superpower confrontation comes with a multitude of challenges and…

The polarization between formal and informal workers lately received wide attention in South Korea. Our FES Korea Office took a closer look at the…

Lay Hwee Yeo answers questions about the larger implications of the war in Ukraine on the Asia-Pacific region.

Charmaine Misalucha-Willougby answers questions about the larger implications of the war in Ukraine on the Asia-Pacific region.

Raja Mohan answers four questions about the larger implications of the war in Ukraine on the Asia-Pacific region.

With spaces for dialogues and leadership expanding in government and civil society, women in the Philippines have taken up the role of peace leaders…

Ambassador Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry shares his views on the developments in Afghanistan and the role of the international community since the Taliban…

Rural and urban areas are connected in ways that cannot be dissolved or ignored. They are economically, socially, and environmentally interlinked…

Platform work is providing much needed employment to many. But bereft of decent working conditions, blue collar workers in the digital economy are…

Opportunities and threats of digitalization for women in the COVID-19 crisis. Reflections from Asia as part of the FES W7-blog.

FES Philippines forms Youth for Just Transition Network to engage young people from different backgrounds in the shift from coal to renewable energy.

The lack of women's representation in political news coverage is global. But journalists and newsrooms in Mongolia have started to work to break the…

The COVID19-crisis has revealed multiple fault-lines, yet these could also be seen as opportunities for identification of changes to help women cope…

Together with its partners, FES brought together some of Nepal’s most prominent thought-leaders and politicians to discuss the country’s current state…

Sustainable urban mobility always involves several trade-offs: between comfort and pollution, between private and public transport, and others. A…

Women and girls represent half of the world’s population, yet their invaluable contributions in tackling climate change are still unrecognized. This…

Rapid urbanisation in Chennai is leaving the city's vulnerable susceptible to effects of unplanned growth and climate change.

Vietnam has made great efforts in providing a comprehensive legal framework to protect women's and children's rights. But violence against women and…

"For trade unions to be key players in this changing world of work, they need to understand and reflect the workforce they represent," argues Marta…

As one of the world's most congested cities, Metro Manila faces increasing challenges to its urban development, highlighting issues of livability and…

The rapid growth of ride-hailing and other app-based services has changed discussions around workers' rights globally. A new FES research analyses…

Education in Asia is becoming increasingly privatised and commercialised. To learn more about the impacts and future trends of the sector,…

India has become a major player in world affairs. It is in the midst of a geopolitical repositioning as it navigates its place in the evolving…

2021 marked the launch of the new FES Asia geopolitics programme. A key pillar is the FES Asia Strategic Foresight Group, an interdisciplinary network…

The COVID-19 pandemic has been eroding multilateralism and connectivity; principles that are needed the most to ensure a rapid and just recovery.…

Over the last decade, Asia has seen enormous physical and digital infrastructure connectivity projects. They have become both key pillars and levers…

Fascination with auspicious numbers is common in Asian cultures. In Mongolia, phone numbers have become a symbol of the widening gap between the rich…

Hanoi's migrant manual workers keep the city running, but their already precarious work and living conditions have worsened during the pandemic.

Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung in Asia launches an interactive map that lets viewers explore the current state of social and ecological development in eight…

Despite numerous movements for freedom, justice and equality, Nepal is still struggling to consolidate its new democratic system.

Bangladesh is emerging as an important player in Asia’s new geopolitical theatre. FES and its partners invited some of the country’s top thought…

Since the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) came into force on 1 August 2020, Vietnam’s significant garment and footwear sector has been working…

The announcement of AUKUS consolidates a security-led conception of the Indo-Pacific over more prosperity-focused ideas championed for example by the…

Integrating feminist priorities into city planning is essential, not just for gender equity, but also for climate resilience and wider sustainability.…

Southeast Asia’s second most populous country is a flashpoint in the new geopolitics and geoeconomics of Asia. Filipino thought leaders and change…

Most ASEAN countries are rather reluctant to choose sides in the intensifying geopolitical rivalry between China and the United States. There is a…

A European Indo-Pacific strategy that widens options for the regional actors is welcomed by New Delhi. The same can be said of AUKUS though explicit…

South Korea is deemed to be relatively behind on climate policy. So much so that the country was considered a “climate villain” by international…

Migrant workers from the Philippines leave home full of hopes and dreams; unknown to them are hidden costs of migration that can break their spirit.…

Our regional climate and energy project in Asia brought together practitioners, policy-makers and researchers to discuss common challenges and…

As geopolitical rivalry intensifies in both traditional and non-traditional domains, leadership around AI, emerging technologies and the increased…

FES Indonesia hosts capacity building for young people aiming to enhance awareness on key social, political and cultural issues, while equipping them…

A year and a half into the pandemic, the systemic implications of the crisis are engendering major shifts and, some will argue, sowed the seeds for…

Together with Ariunzaya Aysuh, Mongolia’s Minister of Labour and Social Protection, we discuss the challenges and successes in fighting the COVID-19…

The tourism sector of Nepal has been decimated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Workers and unions call for more financial support and a boost for domestic…

In this episode, Jomo Kwame Sundaram, one of Malaysia's leading experts on the political economy of development, takes a closer look at the social and…

The South Korean population is ageing faster than any other in the world. Who bears the responsibility for the problem, and for fixing it, is hotly…

The announcement by Asia’s leading development bank to exit from financing fossil fuels made global headlines. While it would be a major step for a…

Small and landlocked states have their own unique set of challenges, but also opportunities, especially when caught in the midst of global power…

Worsening security conditions and societal polarization pose a risk to modest gains for gender justice. We explored three critical aspects.

As the schools were shut down, the government opted to replace in-class learning with various means of distance education. This has revealed the…

Greater Eurasia has always been subject to great power rivalries. A new map by FES puts the often-confusing multitude of smaller clashes, economic…

For four years, the Academy of Work has been training the next generation of trade union leaders in Bangladesh.

In our new season’s opening episode, we take a closer look at the latest developments in Afghanistan – the COVID-19 crisis, a difficult peace process,…

Indian women’s participation in the labour market is low and falling, despite numerous policies and interventions from government and other agencies.…

While many parts of the world are shifting away from fossil fuels, Southeast Asia remains a hot spot for coal expansion. A new report by Climate…

Bangladesh has no shortage of bright young people keen to boost the country’s development. But many lack the research and specific presentation skills…

Participants from across Mongolia collect crucial data in an Open Street Mapping project in an effort to make health and essential services available…

China’s recent commitment to reaching carbon neutrality by 2060 sends a powerful message, not only about what the country thinks it can achieve with…

The line between using technology to manage workers and using technology to control workers is a thin one. In an interview with FES, labour expert Dr…

Together with Christina Colclough, we talk about algorithmic decision-making and ways forward for the labour movement in the Asia-Pacific region.

The FES Nepal team spoke with the first resident director, Heinz Bongartz, about opening the FES office in Kathmandu and the role of social democracy…

We explore themes of social justice and the changes required in the global order to ensure a more equitable and just society during and after the…

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted billions of lives around the world. But the crisis is hitting already-vulnerable women and girls in several new…

Energy is first and foremost a human-impact story; however, Vietnamese journalists have so far been focussing on its technical and business angles. If…

Mongolia strives to play a leading role in the digitalization of government. Find out how in our interview with Anar Bayarsaikhan, the Director of the…

Big data, mobile connectivity and artificial intelligence are dominating the daily lives of Indians faster than some predicted. But is the country…

It is high time to act and re-imagine our digital future in Asia.

Environmental disasters, a worldwide pandemic, looming recession and political turmoil shape Asia’s metropolises, making it clear why future cities…

Revisit the findings of our regional research and learn more about social-ecological transformation in Asia!

An analysis of the US-China rivalry in Southeast Asia.

What are the challenges and opportunities facing organized labour in Bangladesh? We spoke with civil society leader Shakil Ahmed.

We are looking into China’s changing Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and its complex relations with its neighbours as well as the EU.

It has been 30 years since the fall of the Berlin wall. FES Korea explored the significance of the German reunification for the Korean peninsula.

Many households in bustling Indian cities rely on domestic workers. These workers perform arduous tasks, yet they suffer from low wages, unregulated…

More than 350 South Korean and international civil society organizations, including the Korea office of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, have launched a…

We explore India’s changing foreign and security policy in its neighborhood, its complex relations with China and the role of the European Union with…

Our inaugural episode discusses the notion that we are living in an “Asian Century”. In an interview with the international bestselling author Dr…

A festival in North Sumatra brings together the region’s engaged youth each year under the principles of create – collaborate – celebrate. Now in its…

During lockdown, FES Philippines produced “Can We Cool Down The Earth” - an audiobook on climate change aimed at children, voiced by young…

Developing the platform economy has been a major agenda of the Thai government since 2016, but the chances of its realization are looking gloomy in…

In the past months, Afghan policymakers and civil society have found themselves again in a “fog of talks” with representatives of the Taliban…

On 24 June 2020, the ruling centre-left Mongolian People’s Party (MPP) defended its super majority. One of the reasons for the MPP’s success was the…

A participatory higher education system and a prosperous and socially just labour market are at the core of the ongoing work by the Dhaka-based team…

In a changing world of work we need to recognize that all workers are workers, whether formal or informal, entitled to rights at work that guarantee…

A mediator and platform for exchange in Nepal through several periods of conflict and reform since the 1990s, FES is facilitating to build trust…

A German delegation hosted by FES, visited Singapore to find out how the city state uses technology for creating a liveable city.

At a high-level ministerial meeting in Berlin, representatives of Germany and Indonesia back stronger international cooperation to tackle migration by…

Comics are a serious and an entertaining medium that can boost efforts to address the complex topics of feminism and the future of work.

Through a series of policy workshops in Mongolia, young political party supporters receive hands-on experience to work together and develop policy…

FES Vietnam promotes collaborations to achieve fairness and leave no one behind in Vietnam’s energy shift.

A more articulate vision for a stable and secure Eurasia can act as the baseline for all EU endeavours with regard to proposals such as the Belt and…

The globalization of work, the tectonic shifts in geopolitics, and climate change are all having an impact on the archipelagic South-East Asian nation…

With an office in New Delhi since 1981, FES has been active in India for 40 years, building platforms of mutual trust for open debate and exchange of…

Supporting narratives for economic transformation and people’s awareness about the links between domestic and regional questions, FES Pakistan works…

More than 40 years now, FES has been working in Thailand, a land of contrasts and rapid transformation.

Berlin (Germany) – FES hosts the Afghan National Security Advisor for a high-level public debate in Berlin to discuss the political peace process and…

Trade union power is often described as fading away under the pressures of globalized markets and closing civic spaces. A photo story from a…

Political Feminism in Asia, a regional project by Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung brings together feminist groups for joint action across the region.

Civic education in Germany is about pluralism not indoctrination, says Vachararutai Boontinand, advisor to a civic education project by FES supporting…

In 2017, Bangladesh saw the opening of the first Academy of Work, a three-month long programme for trade unionists in the country. Today, they share…

At the turn of the year we summarize past highlights to celebrate and aspirations for the year ahead in the work with partners and friends by FES in…

Bangkok (Thailand) – Managerial staff of Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung in Asia from offices in the region was part of a three-day workshop on strategic…

Ulaanbaatar (Mongolia) – A closer look at how digital space is being exploited and the signs of cyber-populism that emerged in the 2017 presidential…

Jakarta (Indonesia) – Using, appropriating and managing the city is at the very heart of our collective existence, says Marco Kusumawijaya, architect,…

Manila (Philippines) – The prospect of democratizing energy for Filipino families burns brighter as leaders from local government units gear up for…

Geneva (Switzerland) – Global trade has triggered challenges for workers’ rights and how to address them was the focus of a session by…

Youth is once again called to the fore with the rise of authoritarianism in the region, their voices captured by contributors in this year’s second…

Amidst new financial and security dependencies arising along China's Silk Road Economic Belt, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) and partners are working…

Phnom Penh (Cambodia) – Reforming international trade agreements and preferential schemes are an important tool to overcome serious challenges the…

Manila (Philippines) – In this photo story, see how knowledge, skills and values are passed on to future political leaders for a progressive future in…

Watch the debate at the European Parliament! Panellists, including Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström, explore how to strengthen the social…

Singapore (Singapore)—Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung starts FutureLab to unite feminists across Asia through a regional platform

Bangkok (Thailand) ― Historically, tram workers were the first to form a union in Thailand, where today workers share a global challenge, achieving…

Ha Noi (Vietnam) ― After a change of heart, Vietnam decision-makers halt plans to construct nuclear power plants. Sites were prepared for…

A two-day meeting is underway where experts from India and Europe weave path for cooperation projects on energy and urban transformation.