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
-
Thinking about Taiwan
In a global comparison, Taiwan is one of the top countries in the freedom ranking: The island has a free press, a freely debating parliament and the rule of law prevails. But it is precisely these democratic qualities that put the country under strong pressure. The Russian war of aggression on Ukraine has shown that an autocratic country with imperialist inclinations can be ready to attack a freedom-loving neighbour. Xi Jinping, for example, has sharpened his rhetoric towards Taiwan in recent years, so the possible prospect of an attempted occupation is not so far-fetched. What matters now is that Taiwan develops an intelligent and successful defence strategy to fend off a possible Chinese attack.
-
Friedrich-Naumann-Foundation opens new "Global Innovation Hub" in Taipei
On March 21st, 2023, in the presence of with Germany´s Research-Minister of Education and Research Bettina Stark-Watzinger, the Friedrich-Naumann-Foundation for Freedom opened its new „Global Innovation Hub“ in Taipei, Taiwan. The "Global Innovation Hub" will coordinate the foundation´s activities related to innovation and digitalization around the world. The "Global Innovation Hub" used to be in Hong Kong until 2020, when it was decided to close the office there due to the "National Security Law".
-
EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA)
This paper analyzes typical features of the "new generation" FTA as they are concretized in the EVFTA. It then identifies the unprecedented opportunities that these “new-generation” commitments promise to bring to Vietnam and evaluates the costs that Vietnam has to pay for such a promising future. It seems that all these potential impacts from the EVFTA are indispensable for Vietnam to move forward in a changing world.
-
Does AI make it more fair for workers?
Some companies are already replacing workers with ChatGPT, saying they saved money using the AI tool. The ChatGPT’s booming is making people question whether tech innovation is promoting the gig economy. Ms. Ngọc Le – Project Management & Economic Researcher at Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF) shared her thoughts.
-
International Women's Day 2023
Here at the Friedrich Naumann Foundation we want to see a world where differences are valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women's equality. Collectively we can all #EmbraceEquity.
-
'One Year of Ukrainian War: What Does it Mean for Global Security and Southeast Asia?' - FNF Indonesia Alumni Gathering 2023
On February 10, 2023, FNF Indonesia held our annual alumni gathering in our office. Following the major subject of FNF Global #ReshapeEurope this year, we asked Prof. Olexiy Haran from the University of Kyiv Mohyla Academy (UKMA) in Kyiv, Ukraine, to speak about the war in Ukraine through the perspective of a Ukrainian and a Ukrainian scholar. We think that the event titled 'One Year of Ukrainian War: What Does it Mean for Global Security and Southeast Asia?' will help us comprehend how the war impacts global security, particularly in Southeast Asia.
-
Indonesian Youth and Climate Change
Indonesian Youth and Climate Change reported various youth perspectives on their understanding and involvement in combating climate change. The book was designed by compiling and collaborating correspondence from various stakeholders: government officials, businessmen, academics, and civil societies which significantly influence youth's participation in climate change.
-
Business and Human Rights Training for Parliamentarians and Political Party Leaders
The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom and the Asia Center held a two-day Business and Human Rights Training (BHR) in Bangkok, Thailand. This workshop aimed to bridge the gap between politicians and political parties in order to drive agendas for corporate sustainability in line with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
-
Tackling the EU's dependency on raw materials from China
China has established itself as the main provider of numerous critical raw materials, the disruption of which, if used a political instrument to impose pressure in an age of increasing geopolitical divergence, could seriously endanger economic stability in Europe. This study investigates Europe’s options to diversify raw material sourcing and takes a close look at one of its major strategic resource autonomy projects: the circular economy.
-
Thinking about Europe: Photography Competition
Europe is more than 8000 kilometers away from Thailand. Despite this, globalization has made us feel more interconnected than ever before. The influence of Europeans can be seen integrated through Thai culture, economy, society, politics and in our way of life. Thus, FNF and our partners invited interested parties to seek out what are the European traces in Thailand; and to reflect on the relationship between Europe and Thailand.
-
HYBRID EVENT: Countering Threats from Russia and China.
On the 22th of November 2022, The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom Global Innovation Hub hosted a hybrid event on “Countering Threats from Russia and China: The Role of Cyber Warfare in National Security Strategy.” This event aimed to raise awareness of think tanks, politicians, and civil society on cyberwarfare, and encourage more discussion on defense strategies in the face of disinformation.
-
ASEAN Integration Report 2022
As part of the ASEAN Prosperity Initiative (API) for 2022, FNF and IDEAs are proud to present our ASEAN Integration Report 2022, consisting of a study that tracks and monitors the progress of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Blueprint 2025 implementation among its member states since 2015.
-
STOP: Crimes against Female Journalists
The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom Southeast and East Asia, Asia Center, Engage Media, and Taiwan Foundation for Democracy have collaborated to organize a hybrid event entitled “STOP: Crimes against Female Journalists” on November 2nd, the International Day to end Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists . The event featured international speakers from Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines and Cambodia.
-
Next Normal Innovators
On the 29th of October 2022, The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom along with our alumni Samantha Kapunan and Pattrarat Tangnisaitrong co-hosted the Next Normal Innovators event at The Great Room, Gaysorn Tower. The one day face-to-face event was attended by 80 participants overall.
-
Indo-Pacific Threats, Security and Cooperation
The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom Southeast and East Asia and Dr. Alix Valenti have collaborated to produce “Indo-pacific threats, security and cooperation” a policy paper based on the findings of the INDOPAC (Indo-Pacific) Security Conference on the 5th of September 2022
