2017 Programs
Building Capacity for International Development Cooperation
The Asia Foundation - KDI School Joint Project
Since 2008, the Foundation and the KDI School of Public Policy and Management have partnered to promote capacity building for international development and cooperation in Asia. The program supports fellowships, study visits, and international forums for civil society institutions, government officials, and academia to discuss ways to develop capacity and improve aid effectiveness. An overview of the program can be found here.
Korean Delegation Visits Laos to Learn about Human Resource Development in the Country
As part of an ongoing partnership with KDI School to implement international development cooperation capacity building projects, the Korea office led a 9-member delegation to Laos from June 3-11, 2017 for a study tour focused on "International Development Cooperation for Human Resource Development." The delegation included practitioners from the Korean government, NGO community, and academia.
During the visit, the delegation met with the KOICA Laos office, Ministry of Education and Sports. Meetings were also arranged with a variety of educational institutions in Vientiane and Luang Prabang, including higher educational programs at the National University of Laos and Souphanouvong University, and vocational training programs such as the Vientiane-Hanoi Friendship School, Northern Agriculture and Forestry College, Pakpasak Technical College, and the KOICA-funded Lao-Korea Skills Development Institute. Useful Insights were provided throughout the week by local and international experts as well as by the private sector on human resource development issues which enhanced the understanding of the efforts and challenges that stakeholders face in Laos. Participants commented at the end of the program that they had gained a comprehensive understanding of the human resource development system in the country, the challenges, as well as potential project ideas for future development cooperation between Korea and Laos.
Korean Delegation Visits Thailand to Learn About South-South and Triangular Cooperation
A Korean delegation consisting of development practitioners representing the government, NGOs, private sector, and academia visited Thailand from August 19th to 27th for a study tour under the theme "International Sustainable Development Cooperation: South-South and Triangular Cooperation." Co-sponsored by The Asia Foundation and KDI School, participants were able to gain an in-depth understanding of the role and the situation of Thailand in engaging in South-South and triangular cooperation as an emerging development partner.
While in country, the delegation was able to meet with a wide range of international, national, and local development actors supporting Thailand's engagements in South-South and triangular cooperation including, including the Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA), Neighboring Countries Development Cooperation Agency (NEDA), International Cooperation Agency (JICA), German International Cooperation (GIZ), the United Nations Population Fund, Mekong Institute (MI), among others in the cities of Bangkok, Khon Kaen, Chiang Khong and Chiang Rai. Through this visit, the delegates were able to gain a better understanding of Thailand's efforts and approaches in providing development assistance, mainly with its neighboring countries (e.g. Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar). The study visit also provided participants with an opportunity to network with each other and explore partnerships with institutions in Thailand. For more information about the program and participants, see here.
Fellow from Laos Pursues Research on Women's Health Issues in Korea
Vilayphone Choulamany, presently an advisor at the Vientiane Youth and Women’s Health Centre, was placed at the Institute for Development and Human Security (IDHS), Ewha Womans University in Seoul, where she carried out her proposed research entitled “Menstrual Health Management - a South Korean Case Study.” For Vilayphone Choulamany’s research paper, please see here.
Cambodian Delegation Visits Korea to Share Experiences on Women's Economic Participation
From November 12 to 18, a 15-member delegation from Cambodia working in the government, private, and development sectors visited Korea.
The one-week program, organized by The Asia Foundation in partnership with the Korean Development Institute School of Public Policy and Management (KDI School), gave participants the chance to take part in a diverse range of lectures, site visits, as well as networking opportunities with representatives ranging from central government agencies such as the Ministry of Employment and Labor, Ministry of Gender Equality and Family and think tanks like the Korean Women’s Development Institute to NGOs and private companies like the Seoul Working Mom Support Center, Womenlink, and Testworks, to name a few. Throughout the visits, Cambodian fellows could be able to get a first hand look at the similarities and contrasts between Korea and Cambodia, as well as to explore challenges and solutions surrounding women’s economic participation. Key takeaways from the visit can be found here.
Mongolia Ulaanbaatar Women's Business Center & Incubator
From June 6 to 10, The Asia Foundation Korea office organized a capacity-building study visit to Korea for project partners working on Mongolia's first Women's Business Center and Incubator-a three-way partnership between the City of Ulaanbaatar, Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), and The Asia Foundation. During their visit, the fifteen-member delegation, consisting of staff from the WBC Business Incubation Center, Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and The Asia Foundation Mongolia office, visited Korean Women Entrepreneurs Association, Gyeonggi Provincial Government, Seoul Venture Incubator, Korea Industrial Complex Corporation, Ewha Womans University Business Incubator, and Pangyo Techno Valley Industrial Complex.
