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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Born With Pride - Coffee Table Book
Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF) Regional Office South Asia is thrilled to present to you the latest edition of our remarkable Born with Pride series: a captivating Coffee Table Book.
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Workshop Facilitator for Mental Health
As a part of the 2023 Born with PRIDE Conference and the LGBTQIA+ Hackathon, we are organising a half-day workshop on "Mental Health" designed to train participants on various methods and strategies to promote mental health.
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Workshop Facilitator for Online Safe Space
The workshop on "Creating Safe Online Spaces" is designed to train participants on various methods and strategies to create safe and inclusive online environments for LGBTQIA+ individuals and other individuals.
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Nepal’s Democratic Transition: Turbulent but Promising
While the situation in Nepal appears to be chaotic at the moment, what is evident among countries globally that have gone through such transitions is that they have all faced a similar challenge. Nepal’s transition from an authoritarian regime to a multi-party democracy was merely over 30 years ago. Much like other young democracies, Nepal is still struggling to make intricate adjustments on the executive, legislative, and judicial fronts, whilst also ensuring that the problems of the previous system are addressed, and good practices retained.
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Strengthening Dialogue and Cooperation between South Asia and the European Union on LGBTQIA+ Matters
Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom South Asia is organizing the hackathon “Strengthening Dialogue and Cooperation between South Asia and the European Union on LGBTQIA+ Rights” to bring together individuals both the European Union and South Asia to collaborate and develop ideas and solutions in the area of LGBTQIA+ rights and issues.
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Displaced and Stateless People in South Asia
The Tibetan community is faced with a number of issues in their quest for identity and self-determination. The situation in Tibet is deteriorating more than ever in which Xi Jinping has embarked on a hardline policy of assimilation. On the other hand, the Tibetan population is drastically declining in South Asia from a peak of 150,000 due to the outbound migration to the Western countries. There is also the critical issue of succession of the 14th Dalai Lama who will turn 88 years old in 2023 coupled with a weak political leadership and fragility of the Tibetan democracy in exile; and threats to the culture, language and identity of the Tibetan people.
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Water Diplomacy in South Asia
The policy brief draws attention to certain generic and a few specific patterns related to discourses around water diplomacy. First, an attempt has been undertaken to examine the nature of the mainstream water diplomacy discourse, which has become prominent in recent years with respect to India and her neighbours. In this regard, issues which were often marginalised in existing water diplomacy discourses have been brought to the forefront. Second, a policy framework has been propounded to reconcile these tensions by engaging with the meta and micro narratives of water diplomacy.
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Rivers As Lifeline for South Asia
On 15 March 2023, a regional conference on Rivers as Lifeline for South Asia is going to be organized at the Hotel Himalaya, Kathmandu by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF), in collaboration with the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Kathmandu, Samriddhi Foundation and the German Nepal-Friendship Association.
Social Media
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Mark your calendars! Join us for an insightful webinar on South Asia's Energy Landscape Transformation. 🌟 Event: Energy Transition and Energy Security in South Asia 📅 Date: 15.12.2023 🕒 Time: 1630 IST| 1645 NPT| 1700 BST 🔗 Register: https://fnfsouthasia.typeform.com/to/e6OUejOy South Asia is at a critical juncture, navigating energy security, sustainability, and economic growth. Discover how countries like Nepal, India, and Bangladesh are reshaping their energy policies amidst global clean energy demands. 🌏 Topics Include: - Renewable Energy Shift 🌞💨 - Overcoming Geopolitical Challenges 🌐 - Infrastructure Development 🏗️ - Financing Solutions 💡 - Collective Climate Commitments 🌿 🔍 Don't miss this chance to delve into the challenges, opportunities, and collaborative solutions for a sustainable energy future in South Asia. Be part of the conversation and make an impact! Engage with experts, policymakers, and industry leaders as we explore pathways to a greener, more resilient future for the region. Save your spot now and let's pave the way for a brighter, cleaner tomorrow together! #SouthAsiaEnergyWebinar #SustainableFuture
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Embark on a crucial exploration of the global value chain (GVC) dynamics with our upcoming webinar. GVCs are pivotal for economic growth, promising solutions to poverty, inequality, and improved work conditions worldwide. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play a key role, constituting 99% of firms in OECD countries. However, recent regulations like the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive and the German Supply Chain Act pose challenges for SMEs. Join us to delve into the benefits and risks of GVCs, discuss strategies for SME resilience, and gain insights into the German Supply Chain Act's impact. Let's prioritize SMEs for sustained economic growth. Don't miss this insightful discussion!. Our session would be held on Monday, 11 December, 2023 from 1630 - 1800 IST | 1200 – 13:30 CET Register Here: https://fnfsouthasia.typeform.com/to/SIiA7wA2 @Centre for Responsible Business
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On this International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), a commitment to see disability beyond what's visible and to strive and address disabilities that might not be immediately apparent is essential. #Freiheit
