2017 Programs
Special Events and Programs
Members of the Korean National Assembly and a bipartisan delegation of the U.S. Congress attends at a reception co-hosted by The Asia Foundation and Aspen Institute
On April 13, The Asia Foundation and Aspen Institute co-hosted a reception attended by 5 members of the Korean National Assembly and a bipartisan delegation of 16 Members of the U.S. Congress visiting Korea and Japan as part of the Aspen Institute's Congressional Program. The reception provided an opportunity for the attendees to build relationships and deepen their political, economic, historical, and cultural knowledge of the two countries. See more about the Aspen Institute Congressional Program here.
Hansae Yes24 Foundation and Asia Foundation Co-host Inaugural Asian Culture Sharing Forum at Ewha Womans University
On April 14, Hansae Yes24 Foundation held its first Asian Culture Sharing Forum at Ewha Womans University with support by The Asia Foundation. Speakers from eight countries presented their ideas and thoughts on their respective country's unique culture with emphasis on literature, visual and performance arts. In addition to Asia Foundation Vice President Nancy Yuan, who gave opening remarks, two of The Asia Foundation's Class of 2015 Development Fellows, Ruby Hembrom and Zolzaya Batkhuyag, participated in the forum as speakers.
The Asia Foundation Observes May Korean Elections
On the day of the Korean presidential elections in May, Asia Foundation Korea Country Representative Dylan Davis joined a tour of polling sites and a counting center organized by the National Election Commission (NEC) and Association of World Election Bodies (A-WEB). Here is a photo blog of the day.
Mr. Moon Kook-Hyun Appointed as Asia Foundation Trustee
At the May 2017 meeting in New York, The Asia Foundation Board of Trustees voted and approved the appointment of Moon Kook-Hyun (President & CEO of New Paradigm Institute; CEO of Hansoll Textile Ltd.) to the Board. During his three-year term, Mr. Moon will provide strategic guidance to the Foundation as it works to address critical development needs in Asia through its network of 18 country offices. Mr. Moon has been an environmental leader for 30+ years. He initiated "Keep Korea Green", the first company-sponsored environmental campaign in Korea in 1984, which led to the creation of mountain paths, environmental institutions, and numerous educational activities for students, newly-weds and opinion leaders in the country. His efforts on environmental protection and education have been recognized by the United Nations Environmental Program with its prestigious award: "Global 500 Roll of Honor" in 1997. Mr. Moon previously was a member of the Korean National Assembly, where he served as President of the Creative Korea Party (2007-2009). Prior to that, he served as President and CEO of Yuhan-Kimberly, Limited, a leading manufacturer and distributor of sanitary products in South Korea.
Ambassador Mark W. Lippert Joins Asia Foundation Board of Trustees
Ambassador Mark W. Lippert was one of four new members elected to The Asia Foundation Board of Trustees at its September 25, 2017 meeting. He is currently vice president of Boeing International, based in Washington, D.C.. where he handles a global portfolia that cuts across commercial, defense and services issues. An Asia expert with long experience at senior positions in the United States Government, Ambassador Lippert served as the United States Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, chief of staff to the Secretary of Defense, assistant secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs, and chief of staff and deputy assistant to the President at the National Security Council. Prior to serving in the Executive Branch, Ambassador Lippert worked in the United States Senate for 10 years including serving as then-Senator Obama's representative to the Foreign Relations Committee, among other positions.
TAF Trustee Kathleen Stephens and Korea Country Representative Dylan Davis hold "Fireside Chat" at The Asia Foundation New York Board Meeting
On May 24, TAF Trustee and former U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Kathleen Stephens and Korea Country Representative Dylan Davis held a conversation at The Asia Foundation New York Board meeting about what lies ahead for Korea and the region under a new presidency in Korea. Davis was in New York to present the Korea office's updated strategy in the country to the TAF Board of Trustees.
Former Country Representative David Steinberg visits Korea
On Wednesday, June 28, former two-time country representative David Steinberg returned to Korea for a series of events including attendance at the Friends of The Asia Foundation Annual Reception where he was honored for a lifetime of service to The Asia Foundation and to the development of Korea. Having served as Korea country representative in the 1960s and again in the 1990s, Dr. Steinberg has witnessed Korea's unique development experience and the wide range of Asia Foundation programs in the areas of education, democratic reform, culture, public policy, and international relations. The visit allowed the Foundation and partners in Korea an opportunity to recognize and remember the vast and tireless contributions he has given throughout his lifetime to Korea.
The visit began with a lecture at Inha University in Incheon, where Dr. Steinberg spoke on the Foundation's work in Korea in the 1960s.
As a world-renowned specialist on Myanmar, Dr. Steinberg was invited by the Export-Import Bank of Korea where he gave a talk on the socio-political factors of the Myanmar economy. Dr. Steinberg also paid a courtesy call on the bank's vice president, Chang Young-hoon.
After speaking at the Friends of The Asia Foundation Annual Reception, Dr. Steinberg traveled with a group of TAF Korea office staff and Luce Scholars to Yanghwajin Foreign Cemetery where The Asia Foundation's first Country Representative in Korea, Philip Rowe, is buried. TAF recently worked with the cemetery to erect a bio marker in front of Rowe's grave, and in addition to visiting the site where Rowe is buried, the group was guided on a tour of the cemetery to learn about other prominent individuals buried at Yanghwajin who contributed to Korea's development.
During his trip, Dr. Steinberg also visited the Korea Development Institute (KDI) where he had an interview with the KDI Museum which is scheduled to open in fall 2017, and gave a lecture at the KDI School of Public Policy and Management. As Myanmar is one of the priority countries for Korea’s ODA, and remains a country of interest for Korean development institutions, Dr. Steinberg spoke to students, including those from Myanmar, about the development experiences of both countries.
After his visit to Korea, Dr. Steinberg left for Myanmar on Tuesday, July 4, where he had various meetings with government officials and scholars in the country.
Retired U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Michael McDevitt speaks at a discussion on maritime security issues hosted by U.S. Embassy Seoul in partnership with The Asia Foundation
On July 17, Retired U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Michael McDevitt, a senior fellow at the CNA Center for Strategic Studies, spoke at a discussion on maritime security issues hosted by U.S. Embassy Seoul in partnership with The Asia Foundation. The event was attended by Korean academics and think-tank experts on maritime strategy and policy.
The Asia Foundation supports 2017 Ewha Girls’ Health Writing Competition
On November 14, TAF Korea Representative Dylan Davis was invited by Ewha Womans University to give congratulatory remarks and serve as a judge at the second annual Ewha Girls' Health Writing Competition, which brings high school and college age student finalists from around the world to Ewha where they present project ideas to address girls' health issues in their respective countries. The Asia Foundation provided travel grants for a second year in a row for those coming from Asian countries.
KDI School - Asia Foundation International Development Cooperation Capacity Building Program Seminar
Over the ten years since the program's inception in 2008, the KDI School-Asia Foundation International Development Cooperation Capacity Building Program has provided opportunities to grasp key development issues in Asia to more than 300 development experts from Korea and Asian developing countries. As part of the program, a seminar was organized on December 1, 2017 for former participants and the public to take a closer look at current development issues facing Asia, with a specific focus on the themes addressed in 2017: Human Resource Development in Laos, South-South and Triangular Cooperation in Thailand, Women's Economic Participation in Cambodia, and Menstrual Health Management in Laos and Korea. The annual seminar also provided a unique opportunity for practitioners across sectors to strengthen and expand networks in the field of development cooperation.
New Publication! KDI-TAF 2015 Asian Approaches to Development Cooperation "Contemporary Asian Perspectives on South-South Cooperation"
Twenty-first century aid has diversified beyond last century's narrow parameters. Asia has become both a generator of huge development resources and an incubator for new ideas and practices. Recognizing this potential, the Korea Development Institute and Asia Foundation partnered on a new book titled Contemporary Asian Perspectives on South-South Cooperation. This volume contributes new perspectives to the international dialogue on South-South Cooperation's (SSC) historic path and the existing body of literature on the future of development cooperation. Click here for a free download of the book.
New Publication! A Partner for Change: Six Decades of The Asia Foundation in Korea
The Asia Foundation's Korea Office is pleased to announce the publication of A Partner for Change: Six Decades of The Asia Foundation in Korea. This book details more than sixty years of The Asia Foundation's presence in Korea as the country rapidly and dynamically transformed after a devastating war in the mid-twentieth century. Click here for a free download of the book.
New Publication! The Contested Areas of Myanmar: Subnational Conflict, Aid, and Development
In partnership with the World Bank, and supported by the Korea Trust Fund, The Asia Foundation carried out a year-long research study leading to the recently launched publication, Contested Areas of Myanmar: Subnational Conflict, Aid and Development. The research team was invited by KDI School to showcase the report at the KDI School Brownbag Seminar Series. Click here for a free download of the book.
YBM Supports Expansion of Let's Read! in Asia
The Asia Foundation was recently able to expand the Foundation's Let's Read! digital librairies initiative thanks to a donation from one of Korea's largest publishing and education companies, YBM, Inc. The Let's Read! regional platform brings open-sourced books in local languages to children in underserved communiites in Asian countries, helping to improve access to books and literacy to families impacted by poverty, conflict, or gender discrimination. The platform currently includes a digital library web app, pioneering translation tool, and free Android e-reacer app available on Google Play.
Across Asia, the children's book genre is severely underdeveloped and the situation is unlikely to change unless a larger pool of writers, illustrators, and particularly editors are provided the professional development to produce high quality, local content. The contribution from YBM will help initially scale the Let's Read! Editor Training Modules in five Asian countries - Cambodia, Nepal, Indonesia, Thailand, and Laos. To learn more, see here.
Air Busan and New Paradigm Institute Partner with The Asia Foundation Korea in 2017
Air Busan and New Paradigm Institute, both corporate members of Friends of The Asia Foundation (FOTAF) Korea since 2005 and 2015, respectively, renewed their memberships for an additional year. Through their generous contributions, Air Busan and New Paradigm Institute are providing The Asia Foundation with critical support on development projects throughout Asia, promoting regional economic cooperation, and enhancing regional security. From scholarships for Vietnamese female students to regional dialogues, FOTAF's corporate members are helping the Foundation improve lives across a dynamic and developing Asia.
All individuals, groups and corporations, both Korean and non-Korean, currently based in Korea and that share the goals of the Friends of The Asia Foundation are eligible to become corporate members. The minimum annual fee to join as a corporate member is ￦10,000,000.