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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China´s and Russia´s increasing influence in Southeast Asia
Beijing’s and Moscow’s strategic integration of diplomatic, military, and economic instruments - Joseph Nye calls the mix “smart power” - exert influence in Southeast Asia. Democratic states are concerned. But they must move beyond platitudes to counter Beijing’s and Moscow’s influence. Credible, pragmatic support that delivers tangible benefits on the ground are needed if the West wants to remain influential in the region.
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Friedrich Naumann Foundation cooperates with South Korea’s e-gov pioneer
South Korea has one of the most advanced digital public administrations in the world. As part of a recent delegation visit to Germany, KLID President Park Doek Soo and Karl-Heinz Paqué, Chairman of the Naumann Foundation, signed a Memorandum of Understanding to further expand their collaboration.
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Mistrust ahead of Power Change
If the progressive candidate Lee Jae-myung wins South Korea's presidential election as expected, he will face the difficult task of uniting a deeply divided country. Many South Koreans have reservations. Partners in the West are also skeptical.
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EU’s Risky Business:
Chinese electric vehicles are entering the EU at record speed – affordable, appealing, and state-subsidised. But behind the sleek designs lies a web of economic, ethical, and security risks that threaten Europe's industry, data protection, and core values.
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Make it Happen: Human Rights at a Local Level
Human rights city is a concept for promoting human rights at the level of local government worldwide. Read how human rights city initiatives have been adopted in the context of Thailand—and what makes for an effective approach—in this paper by Dr. Chayanit Poonyarat from the Peace Information Center, Thammasat University.
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Liberals in the 2025 Midterm Elections and Beyond
Parliamentary elections were held in the Philippines on May 12. These midterm elections, in which the winners take office midway through President Marcos' term, will elect all 317 seats in the House of Representatives and 12 of the 24 seats in the Senate to form the 20th Philippine Congress. Local elections for the executive and legislative branches were also held in all municipalities, cities and provinces across the country. As in Canada and Australia, the elections showed that liberalism is neither dead nor obsolete. Liberal forces are needed and wanted. There is no other explanation for the surprising election result, especially with regard to the Senate elections.
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China Expands in the Yellow Sea
The People’s Republic of China is building massive steel structures in disputed waters off South Korea’s coast. This move could signal even more aggressive behavior—similar to China’s actions in the South China Sea.
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CALD hails Duterte's Arrest as a Step Towards Justice
CALD considers the arrest of Duterte as a testament that no one is above the law and that justice eventually finds its way to address impunity and blatant disregard for human rights. At the conclusion of the ICC trial, we are hopeful that justice will finally be served to thousands of victims of the deadly drug war.
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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”.
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Regulatory Challenges for MSMEs in ASEAN
Malaysia´s Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF) have launched the “ASEAN Integration Report 2024”. The seventh edition of this annual report focuses on barriers that micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) face in cross-border trade in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
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Empowering Women in Politics in Southeast and East Asia “Women-Up Democracy” Conference
Read up on our "Women-Up Democracy" on October 28 at Chatrium Grand Bangkok! Together more than 150 leaders, activists, and students unite to share stories, foster solidarity, and drive change in politics.
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Business, Human Rights, and Unexpected Laughs in Gummersbach (and Cologne and Berlin)
From Sept 15-27, our IAF seminar on Business & Human Rights featured Ms. Umavathni Vathanaganthan from Malaysia, sharing regional insights. Read her full reflection here.
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Women-Up Democracy Speakers
Our Women-Up Democracy event on October 28th, 2024, will bring together inspiring speakers who are making a significant impact in the fields of gender equality and democratic leadership.
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Women-Up Democracy
Join us on October 28 at the Chatrium Grand Bangkok for Women Up Democracy! Connect with female politicians and aspiring leaders from across Asia, share experiences, and explore solutions for political empowerment.
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Human Rights Defender: Pro-Democratic Activists
Announcing our new publication - Human Rights Defenders - featuring pro-democratic activists, including Chu Chen from Taiwan and Ray Wong from Hong Kong and their fight for freedom and democracy.
Our Regional Team
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