South Asia
The Foundation was established in Germany in 1958. It aims to promote the goal of making the principle of freedom valid for the dignity of all people and in all areas of society, both in Germany and abroad. The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom works in over 65 countries worldwide. In South Asia we have offices in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. Additionally we work with partners in Nepal. We promote civic education, trainings and the exchange of ideas in the region in four focal areas. These are economic freedom, human rights, urban governance and digital transformation. In addition to the country projects, the Foundation supports regional programs.
News
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A critical examination of the political parties of Bhutan in the light of its socio-political backdrop
…the ultimate winner could be the one who seriously rethinks the present scenario of Bhutan
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India's Ruling on Same-Sex Marriage
In a historic decision that reverberates across South Asia, the Supreme Court of India has set a powerful precedent for LGBTQIA+ rights in the region. This landmark ruling not only signifies a significant step towards equality and acceptance but also underscores India's commitment to upholding the principles of justice and human rights.
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Decriminalization of Same-Sex Activity in South Asia
Decriminalizing same-sex activity has been a long-standing battle in many countries worldwide. South Asia is no exception, and several countries in the region have made significant strides in advancing the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community.
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Connecting the dots
‘Connecting the dots’ is a podcast series by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation, as a part of it’s global theme ‘Reshaping Europe’. Over the last year, Europe has found itself in a precarious position with the largest territorial annexation since world war 2, this has in many ways challenged the European Way of Life, presenting a larger question of ‘what next’.
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European Supply Chain Regulations and Countries in South Asia
The paper starts by briefly describing the main global supply chains or global value chains (GVCs) that connect South Asia with the EU and the main human rights violations observed in them. To set the tone for the discussions, it is important to define different wage types, such as living wages, minimum wages and actual wages. This is the prelude to the economics of human rights violations in GVCs. It shows that human rights violations have economic effects on labour, the communities and other users of environmental services, the environment itself, and overall economies of the global South. The paper further analyzes the existing and proposed human rights due diligence in the EU, with the meaning of transformative change.
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Human Rights Situation Under Taliban Regime
The resurgence of the Taliban in Afghanistan and the subsequent dissolution of the pre-existing republic on August 15, 2021, has resulted in a pronounced rollback in the progress made toward protecting human rights and free society values. This shift has severely impacted the communal and individual liberties of women and other at-risk groups, triggering grave apprehensions regarding the current human rights situation in the nation.
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Celebrating Equality
In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court of Nepal issued an interim order on June 28, 2023, instructing the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers (OPMCM) and other relevant ministries to establish a transitional mechanism that ensures the registration of marriages for non-heterosexual couples.
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Communications Consultant
Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF) South Asia is looking for a Communications Consultant to develop a focused Channel Strategy for FNF South Asia region. The Communications Consultant will play a crucial role in enhancing FNF's communication efforts and strengthening its outreach in the region.
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Hackathon on Strengthening Dialogue and Cooperation between South Asia and the European Union on LGBTQIA+ Rights
Given the pressing need for openness and dialogue on gender-related issues, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF) found Colombo a fitting location for its Hackathon on "Strengthening Dialogue and Cooperation between South Asia and the European Union on LGBTQIA+ Rights," held on 6 June 2023.
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Dark abyss which swallowed my dreams
After two decades, the Taliban returned to Afghanistan in August 2021. From the moment they seized power in Afghanistan, they have been imposing various gender norms and excluding women from education, work, entertainment, and other social, political, and economic activities, and all the while women have been facing severe violence and discrimination.
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Bhutan’s National Council Election 2023: A setback for women
At the recent National Council (NC) election held on 20th April in Bhutan, only one woman was elected to the 25-member Chamber of Parliament. The result was particularly surprising because women voters outnumbered men in the election.
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Upcoming presidential election and political situation in the Maldives
The presidential election in the Maldives is fast approaching after a relatively stable government compared to previous governments. The current President Ibrahim Mohamed Salih came to power with the support of some key coalition partners, namely, Jumhooree Party (JP), Adalat Party (AP) and Maumoon Reform Movement (MRM). As many political appointees of the coalition partners are still in office, the coalition is technically intact contrary to the previous full-term governments of President Mohamed Nasheed and President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom.
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Navigating China's Economic and Military Rise
The Regional Office of Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF) is creating eight policy papers, each focusing on a specific South Asian country. We are looking for authors to write these policy papers.
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For Freedom
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LGBTQIA+ Matters Online Hackathon
On May 17, 2023, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF) Regional Office for South Asia organized an online hackathon event titled "Strengthening Dialogue and Cooperation between South Asia and the European Union on LGBTQIA+ Matters" to coincide with the International Day against Homophobia, Bi-phobia, and Trans-phobia.
Social Media
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Human Rights Day 10 December 2023 marks the 75th anniversary of one of the world's most groundbreaking global pledges: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). We all are at greater risk whenever and wherever humanity's values are abandoned. The solutions to today’s greatest crises are rooted in human rights. #Freedom, #Equality, and #Justice for All!
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Join our esteemed speakers for a dynamic Panel Discussion and Special Remarks! Moderator: Nandini Sharma, Director, Centre for Responsible Business Featuring: Anil Bhardwaj, Secretary General, Federation Of Indian Micro Small Medium Enterprises (FISME) Shiham Marikar, Secretary General, CEO, National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka Lanka Nusrat Khan, UNDP in India, BHR Specialist, India Representative Special Remarks by: Hon. Carl-Julius Cronenberg, Member of Parliament, Germany Keynote Address: Pradeep Ramakrishnan, General Manager, Securities And Exchange Board Of India (SEBI) Get ready for a compelling conversation shedding light on the roles, challenges, and perspectives of MSMEs in the global landscape. Save the date and join us for this insightful discussion! Register here: https://fnfsouthasia.typeform.com/to/SIiA7wA2 #paneldiscussion #msmes #businessandhumanrights
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Join us for an engaging WebTalk on South Asia's Energy Transformation! Exploring the Energy Dynamics of Nepal, India, and Bangladesh. Date: 15.12.2023 Register: https://fnfsouthasia.typeform.com/to/e6OUejOy In this session, delve into key questions: 1️⃣ Policy Initiatives Driving Sustainable Energy Transition 2️⃣ Common Challenges Faced in the Energy Transition Journey 3️⃣ Collaboration for Accelerating Renewable Energy Adoption Meet Our Esteemed Panelists: - Lydia Powell, Observer Research Foundation - Shafiqul Alam, Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis - Hitendra Dev Shakya, Former Managing Director, Nepal Electricity Authority - Moderator: Arpita Nepal,@samriddhifoundation Let's discuss sustainable energy solutions for a greener, brighter future in South Asia! Join the conversation using #SouthAsiaEnergyTalk. Don't miss out—register now! 🌿💡
