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 Malaysia. The FNF regional team works with the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats, the Working group for an ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism, Collective of Applied Law and Legal Realism (CALR), a pro bono initiative by AmerBON Advocates, 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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Flashlight on the Upcoming German Federal Election, What’s in it for Malaysia?
On January 21, 2025, Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF) Malaysia hosted a dinner event attended by our partners and IAF alumni in Malaysia. On this occasion, Dr. Stefan Diederich, FNF Project Director Malaysia, delivered an update regarding the current political situation in Germany, beginning with a brief probe into German government coalition history and continuing with an analysis on more recent coalition dynamics.
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FNF Myanmar: Thank You for the Journey!
The Friedrich Naumann Foundation, which closed its office in Myanmar in December 2024, hosted a last event in Yangon. After years of working together to advance freedom, democracy, and human rights, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF) is bidding farewell to Myanmar. While this chapter is coming to a close, the values we stand for remain as vital as ever.
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BRICS - What are the key issues for 2025?
BRICS is growing and gaining influence: with new members, the focus is on topics such as trade, AI regulation, climate change and global reorganisation. Where is the confederation heading in 2025?
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Love Wins for All - Same Sex Marriage Law Takes Effect in Thailand
Thailand's new same-sex marriage law allows couples, regardless of their gender orientation, to marry, adopt, receive medical care and inherit. Celebrations are held across the country as the same-sex marriage law comes into effect. For the first time, Thailand is enforcing the Marriage Equality Law, which was passed by the Thai Parliament and endorsed by the King last year. The new law uses gender-neutral terms such as "individuals" and "marriage partners" instead of "husbands", "wives", "men" and "women". It also grants adoption and inheritance rights to same-sex couples.
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Dual Uncertainty: The Return of Trump Amid Korea’s Political Turmoil
South Korea is facing a political crisis and is confronted with the unpleasant foreign policy of U.S. President Trump. A study by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom warns of a weakening of deterrence against North Korea and potential tensions ahead of new negotiations between Trump and Kim Jong Un.
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After Trump 2024— What’s Next For Filipino Liberals?
“Dutertismo is to the Philippines what Trumpism is to America,” observes political economist Calixto Chikiamco. Like its American counterpart, the Duterte movement emerged as a populist backlash against entrenched elites and the failures of traditional governance. For many, Rodrigo Duterte’s presidency was a visceral rejection of a system perceived to prioritize the few over the many. As the Duterte family eyes a potential political resurgence in 2025 and 2028, Filipino liberals confront a stark challenge: how to counteract the enduring appeal of populism in a fractured political landscape.
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AI in Elections in East and Southeast Asia
The Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats has published a new policy paper: “AI in Elections in East and Southeast Asia: Opportunities, challenges, and ways forward for democrats and liberals”.
