Southeast and East Asia
The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF) promotes democracy, human rights, economic freedom, and curbing climate change. In Southeast and East Asia, we have offices in Bangkok, Hanoi, Jakarta, Manila, Seoul, Taipei, and Yangon. We also work in Malaysia. The FNF regional team works with the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats, the Working group for an ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism, the Asia Centre, and the ASEAN Prosperity Initiative, which is part of the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs. Should you have questions or suggestions about our work, please contact us. You can also meet our team here.
News
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BRICS enlargement - a "non-event" or a stage victory against the West?
The enlargement of the BRICS group at the beginning of the year to include five new member states raises questions about the political and economic consequences. What do the existing members expect from the expansion? What do the new ones expect? What does BRICS enlargement mean for the West, and what could a liberal response to this look like?
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Hong Kong in the era of national security - Legislation under Article 23
In March 2024, Hong Kong's Legislative Council unanimously passed the "Safeguarding National Security Bill" a new national security legislation under Article 23. This controversial legislation poses the risk of having severe ramifications for the city’s future and will likely lead to further repression of human rights in Hong Kong.
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Harmonizing Prosperity and Humanity: A Blueprint for Advancing Business and Human Rights in Indonesia
Indonesia pioneers Business & Human Rights with Presidential Regulation 60/2023. The strategy, aligned with UN principles, tackles 1,366 complaints, forming national and regional task forces. Tools like PRISMA engage 231 companies, fostering a competitive landscape respectful of human rights. FNF Indonesia's collaboration strengthens this transformative leap, marking Indonesia's leadership in responsible business practices. Read to learn more.
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Digital Resilience of Taiwan and Estonia: Empowering Citizens and Boosting Global Collaboration amid Authoritarian Challenges
Taiwan and Estonia, both aware of their unique geopolitical challenges, have prioritized strategies against disinformation and cyber threats, placing a strong emphasis on digital resilience. The dialogue during the event underscored the critical role of both the public and private sectors in combating cyberattacks and the need for international cooperation among democratic allies facing authoritarian pressures.
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Women at Work Virtual Book Launch and Exhibition
FNF Myanmar proudly presents a virtual book launch and exhibition featuring photo essays by nine talented women artists, capturing the essence of female strength and resilience under the theme of “Women at Work”. The exhibition will be hosted on a virtual platform, allowing guests to freely explore the interactive spaces.
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US-Taiwan Relations Over 45 Years: Building Trust Amid China Pressure
Forty-five years ago, Washington broke off diplomatic relations with Taipei. This shock changed Taiwanese thinking in the long term. Democracy developed on the island and became a unifying element of US-Taiwan relations, which were revived after the Cold War. Today, relations are close - partly because of Beijing's aggressive policy.
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The 5th I4D Café: What Role Does VR Technology Play in Fostering Democracy Education?
Virtual reality (VR) isn’t solely for entertainment. It’s a powerful tool to preserve and convey important messages and historic facts that should never be forgotten, transcending both time and physical boundaries.