On June 7-8, in cooperation with the Perth USAsia Centre in Australia, The Asia Foundation organized a Republic of Korea – Australia – United States Trilateral Dialogue in Seoul on the topics concerning energy, critical materials, and supply chains for future trilateral cooperation. This meeting builds on the Foundation’s first trilateral held virtually in December 2021.

This Seoul Trilateral Dialogue invited 20 specialists from South Korea, Australia, and the United States to discuss and examine (1) each country’s energy status and strategies for future opportunities; (2) critical materials and rare earth metals; and (3) the challenges and risks of supply chain disruptions and explore how the three countries can build robust and secure supply chains for future energy and critical materials.

Accelerating Market Competitiveness for North Korean Refugees
in South Korea: Empowering Entrepreneurs for Success

The Asia Foundation’s “Accelerate Market Competitiveness for North Korean Refugees in South Korea” program, supported by the Aesop Foundation, empowers North Korean refugee entrepreneurs to succeed in South Korea's competitive market.

In partnership with the Korea Merchandiser Association, the program provides market training, objective feedback through buyer meetings, and personalized consulting services to refine products and enter new sales channels. By fostering collaborative efforts, the program aims to enhance the potential of these talented individuals and contribute to South Korea's thriving business landscape.

Women Entrepreneurs in Gyeonggi Province, Linked Together

The Asia Foundation successfully completed the Accelerate Women’s Entrepreneurship in Korea Phase II program as of April 30, 2023. The program allowed 328 women entrepreneurs to 1) brand their products, 2) access sales channels, 3) raise funds, 4) obtain knowledge and skills for business management, and 5) expand business networks.

On March 29, 2023, the Foundation organized an event to celebrate the accomplishment of the program with 41 women entrepreneurs who had participated in different program activities. They shared their experience participating in the program, which helped them expand their business and network.

Northeast Asia Youth Exchange:
Uniting Future Leaders to Combat Climate Change

The Asia Foundation's "Northeast Asia Youth Climate Change Action Program" brings together young potential leaders from China, Japan, Mongolia, and South Korea to tackle climate change through Nature-based Solutions (NbS).

The program includes a webinar series hosted by each participating country to share climate issues and NbS efforts, followed by a study visit to Mongolia. By fostering knowledge exchange and collaboration, the program seeks to develop a collective approach to address critical climate challenges in the region. The program was launched on August 2, 2023, and a study visit to Mongolia scheduled from August 20 to August 26 was completed.

Kahng Foundation Scholarship: Year 1 Completed, Continuing to Year 2

The Asia Foundation has been providing scholarships to 18 North Korean Refugee (NKR) students—comprising 14 undergraduates and four graduates—enabling them to focus on their studies. The scholarship covers expenses related to transportation, food, textbooks, and other educational necessities.

As a result, the scholars showed positive indicators, such as better academic achievements, enhanced health through the consumption of quality food, and higher confidence with integration into school life and society. The scholarship will be continued for the next two semesters, from Fall 2023 to Spring 2024.

2023-24 Luce Scholars Arrive in Korea

Among the 18 newly chosen 2023-2024 Luce Scholars, Angelique Southern(left), Coleman Yorke(middle), and Sarah Toscano(right) arrived in Korea on July 1.

During this one-year Luce Scholar year, Angelique (M.A, Georgetown University) will work at the UNESCO APCEIU as an assistant researcher. Coleman (Premedical Postbaccalaureate, Bryn Mawr College and M.S., University of Oxford) will participate as a researcher at the Youth and Young Adult Development Lab at Yonsei University. Sarah (M.A, Columbia University) has started working for Gen G. Global Academy, a global esports education institution in Korea.

New President and CEO of The Asia Foundation,
Laurel E. Miller Visits Korea

The new President and CEO of The Asia Foundation, Laurel E. Miller, visited Korea from July 11 to 14, 2023. During her visit, she had a series of meetings with the Friends of The Asia Foundation Korea (FOTAF) board members and former chairmen of FOTAF to provide updates on the Foundation’s program areas and operations. She also sought their views on the future direction and role of the Foundation in Korea and Asia.

President Miller also paid courtesy calls to several of the Foundation's key partner organizations, including the Ban Ki-moon Foundation for a Better Future, the US Embassy in Korea, and Global Climate Fund (GCF), to strengthen partnerships and enhance collaboration.

MOU with the Korea Foundation for Women in Science,
Engineering, and Technology (WISET)

The Asia Foundation and WISET signed an MOU to promote women’s empowerment in STEM in Asia. Through the MOU, both organizations will cooperate to enhance female students’ and the early career workforce’s capacity and self-efficacy in the STEM field in Asia.

The two organizations will also collaborate to provide an enabling environment for women in STEM careers. The STEM ConnectHER is a part of The Asia Foundation’s Future Skills Alliance initiative, and the first project cooperation with the WISET will strengthen women in STEM networks and mentorship in Asia. The STEM ConnectHER has already connected with women in Cambodia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Singapore and will be expanded to women in Korea in the latter half of this year.

The Asia Foundation and Korea Foundation for Women In Science, Engineering and Technology (WISET) have signed an MOU to promote women’s empowerment in STEM in Asia. Several media outlets reported on the MOU signing ceremony. Please click the links below to see the full news articles (in Korean).

Yonhap News

Title: 여성과기인육성재단, 아시아재단과 STEM 분야 여성발전 업무협약

Date: July 14, 2023

Link: https://www.yna.co.kr/view/PYH20230714088300017?input=1196m

Kyosu Newspaper

Title: WISET, 아시아재단과 업무협약 체결

Date: July 14, 2023

Link: http://www.kyosu.net/news/articleView.html?idxno=107395

Women News

Title: WISET-아시아재단 “아시아 여성 과학기술인 키운다”

Date: July 14, 2023

Link: http://www.womennews.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=238424

Aju Korea Daily

Title: "아시아 과학·공학계 여성 뭉치자"… WISET, 아시아재단과 국제협력 협약

Date:  July 14, 2023

Link: https://www.ajunews.com/view/20230714104737631

KOIT

Title: 아시아 STEM 분야 여성 발전 국제협력 강화

Date: July 14, 2023

Link: http://www.koit.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=115101#google_vignette

The Asia Foundation Korea Office
7F, Bunam Building, 447, Samil-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea (03148)
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