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Dylan Davis Appointed as The Asia Foundation¡¯s New Korea Country Representative
The Asia Foundation appointed Dylan Davis as the new Country Representative in Korea, effective March 2, 2015. Prior to this appointment, Mr. Davis was the Program Director for the Center for Korean Studies at the University of California, Berkeley and served in the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in Seoul.
Asia Foundation President David D. Arnold Visits Korea to Strengthen Partnerships, Signs MOU with KOICA
The Asia Foundation’s President David D. Arnold visited South Korea on June 15-16 and met with government officials and development partners to discuss opportunities and responsibilities arising from the nation’s growing role in the Asia-Pacific region. As part of his two-day visit, President Arnold met with First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yong and Minister of Unification Hong Yong-pyo to discuss the Foundation’s work in Korea.
In an official signing ceremony, President Arnold and Kim Young-mok, President of the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to extend an ongoing strategic partnership.
The Asia Foundation also signed an MOU with the Association of World Election Bodies (A-WEB), the world¡¯s largest international electoral organization supporting the progress of democracy in developing countries and emerging democracies. Drawing on the Foundation¡¯s expertise in democracy and governance programming, this partnership will comprise of a capacity-building program for electoral professionals, knowledge exchange, election observation programming, and seminars for public policy makers.
Asian Development Experts Convene to Examine the Future of South-South Cooperation in Asia
On May 27 and 28, development experts representing 10 countries convened in Phnom Penh for a fifth Asian Approaches to Development Cooperation (AADC) meeting; a dialogue series jointly hosted by the Korea Development Institute and The Asia Foundation.
The goal of the ongoing AADC series is to provide a forum for sharing perspectives and approaches among both emerging and traditional development actors on critical issues facing Asia.
The Phnom Penh conference, held under the theme “The Future of South-South Cooperation (SSC) in Asia: Partner Country Perspectives," highlighted partner country experiences with SSC, opportunities and strategies for Triangular Cooperation in Asia, the effectiveness and impact of SSC, provider perspectives on new modalities and themes for SSC, and concluded with a field visit to the Cambodia-Thai Skills Development Center.
2015 Asia Development Fellows Visit Vietnam
The Asia Foundation's Asia Development Fellows visited Vietnam to study climate change and development cooperation from June 6 – 14. Sponsored by the KDI School, the program provided a short-term, in-depth country orientation for a ten-member delegation composed of Korean government officials, researchers, NGOs, the private sector, and graduate students.
Fellows had the opportunity to examine the impact of climate change and implementation of climate change-related policies at the national and local level through visits to relevant government agencies, think tanks, NGOs (e.g., the Department of Meteorology, Hydrology and Climate Change (DMHCC), UN-HABITAT, USAID Vietnam, etc.). The study visit concluded with a field trip to a few climate change adaptation project sites in the City of Danang, including a storm shelter and dike system, led by the Danang Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (Danang DARD).
2015 Asia Development Fellows Visit the Philippines
From July 25 to August 2, a second delegation of twelve Korean development experts visited the Philippines to learn about labor migration and development cooperation from July 25 – August 2. This study tour was also sponsored by the KDI School, and included members from the Korean government, NGO community, and graduate students.
The fellows visited a number of government agencies in Manilla and Cebu, such as the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), to examine responses and actions taken to address the impact of labor migration by the Philippine government. The group also visited leading non-governmental organizations and multilateral agencies, including the Asian Development Bank, which has developed a comprehensive policy, research and operational program focusing on various development issues, including migration.
FOTAF Annual Reception and Board of Directors Meeting
On June 16th, the Friends of The Asia Foundation Korea hosted its Annual Reception, at which our new Country Representative, Dylan Davis, was formally introduced to partner organizations.
Han Sung-Joo, Chairman of Friends of the Asia Foundation, David D. Arnold, President of The Asia Foundation, Dylan Davis, Korea Representative of The Asia Foundation, Hong Seok-hyun, Chairman and CEO of JoongAng Media Network gave opening remarks at the reception.
About 60 people from the government, academia, research institutes, and NGOs attended the reception.
Prior to the Reception, The Friends of The Asia Foundation held its first Board of Directors Meeting of 2015. At the meeting, Dylan Davis, new Korea Representative of The Asia Foundation was elected to the Board. Dylan Davis, Lee Kyung-sook, Senior Program Officer, and Bang Min, External Relations Officer of The Asia Foundation Korea Office, reported on 2015 programs and fundraising activities, with a special focus on the progress on the Foundation's developing partnership with KOICA.
Asia Development Fellows Learn About the Korean Development Experience
The Asia Foundation hosted two development specialists from South and Southeast Asian countries to learn about Korea's development experience.
Mr. Md. Mahboob Murshed, presently an Advocate at the Supreme Court in Bangladesh, was placed at the Korea University Cyber Law Centre in July, where he pursued research on: “A Comparative Analysis between Bangladeshi and Korean Legal Frameworks for Combating Cybercrime to Ensure Cyber Security.” Mr. Murshed was actively engaged in his research project through visits to relevant organizations, such as the Korean National Police Agency (KNPA), Korea Internet and Security Agency (KISA) and National Assembly Research Service (NARS).
Mr. Souphy Norintha, presently serving as a Deputy Director in the Legal Affairs Department of the Lao PDR Ministry of Justice, was placed in August at the Korean Institute of Legislative Studies, Inc., where he will carry out his proposed research on the law making process of Korea.
The duration of the fellowship program is approximately two to three months and fellows are expected to produce a research paper at the end of their time in Korea. The research fellowships are sponsored by the KDI School as part of the International Development Cooperation Capacity Building Program.
2014-15 Harvard Nieman Fellow Kim Seung-ryun Completes Fellowship
2014-15 Nieman fellow Kim Seung-ryun completed his fellowship in June and returned to Korea to continue his work at Channel A. He received very positive feedback from Harvard, which commented on how his experience working in both print and broadcast media made him an especially valuable contributor to group discussions about multi-media journalism and the future of newsrooms. The Asia Foundation sponsorship of Korean journalists in the Nieman Fellowship is made possible through the generous support of the Sungkok Journalism Foundation and YBM, Inc.
The Asia Foundation’s Asian American Exchange (AAX) unit coordinated his program with Harvard University and also arranged a public presentation featuring Seung-ryun in San Fr ancisco along with meetings on the U.S. media. Through AAX-administered exchanges, the Foundation seeks to encourage greater understanding between Asians and Americans with the ultimate aim of contributing towards strengthened U.S.-Asia relations.
The Asia Foundation is now in the process of selecting a nominee for the 2016-17 Nieman program. The deadline for applications is Monday, October 12. Please see the following link for additional details.
http://www.asiafoundation.or.kr/html_e/events_view.php?num=221
Luce Scholars Begin Fellowships at Seoul Metropolitan Government and Merry Year Social Company
2015-16 Luce Scholars Amarynth Sichel and Diana Won recently began their professional placements at Seoul City Hall and Merry Year Social Company, respectively. They both arrived in Seoul in June and participated in intensive Korean language study before moving to their host organizations.
Previously, Amarynth served as Manager of Government Relations and Public Policy with ML Strategies, a political consulting group based in the United States. Prior to her Luce year, Diana Won graduated with a Master of Public Policy, focusing on innovative approaches to international development policy, from the University of Michigan's Ford School.
The Luce Scholars Program is a nationally competitive fellowship program that represents a major effort to provide an awareness of Asia among potential leaders in American society. The Asia Foundation is responsible for administering the Asian portion of the program, and supporting and advising the Luce Scholars while they are in Asia. The heart of the year-long program continues to lie in the organizational placements arranged by The Asia Foundation for each Scholar on the basis of their individual career interests and experience.
TAF Representatives Meet with U.S. Congressional Delegation and U.S. Ambassador Mark Lippert
Asia Foundation representatives met with members of a bipartisan Congressional delegation from the United States in Seoul, Korea. The delegation, headed by Minority Leader of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi, was on a multi-country tour of Asia including stops in Korea, Myanmar, Japan, Vietnam, and Cambodia, focusing on security cooperation, trade, and human rights issues.
Han Sung-Joo, Chairman of Friends of The Asia Foundation and former Korean Foreign Minister and Ambassador to the United States, and the Foundation’s Country Representative in Korea Dylan Davis met with Congresswoman Pelosi at an April 2 reception in honor of the delegation and discussed the role of the Foundation and its work in Korea. Han Sung-Joo noted that it was the Foundation that provided him with a grant to travel for the first time to the United States as a high school student to attend Camp Rising Sun in 1956, and how that experience shaped his career path.
Asia Foundation Senior Vice President of Programs Gordon Hein and Asia Foundation Korea Office leadership also met with United States Ambassador Mark Lippert to discuss the Foundation’s current work in Korea at his residence on March 27.
The Asia Foundation’s Sara L. Taylor Participates in 1st Seoul International Forum on Elections
On May 13 and 14, The Asia Foundation’s Deputy Country Representative in Bangladesh, Sara L. Taylor, participated in the 1st Seoul International Forum on Elections. Hosted by the National Election Commission (NEC) of the Republic of Korea and Association of World Election Bodies (A-WEB), the forum brought together global experts in the field of elections and democracy to discuss relevant issues that are at the center of today’s election management and democratization processes, as well as to promote international cooperation in election management.
The forum focused on the current status of ODA dedicated to democracy and elections; promoting the political rights of minorities; and the role of political parties in resolving social conflicts. Participants included representatives from the Election Commission of Bhutan; the International Foundation for Electoral Systems; Yonsei University; and the International Republican Institute, among other organizations.
Drawing on her expertise on elections, political processes, and governance, Ms. Taylor spoke on the role of political parties in resolving social conflicts. In Bangladesh, The Asia Foundation’s programs promote fair elections through civil society initiatives, support women entrepreneurs, remove constraints affecting the growth of the leather industry and the ICT and renewable energy sectors, build trust between police and communities, and engage religious and secular leaders to advance national development efforts and women’s rights.
TAF Korea Reaches Out
- July 15: Korean Film Archive Lecture
Dylan Davis gave a talk on the history of the Foundation’s work in Korea at the Korean Film Archive co-sponsored by Inha University Center for Korean Studies and the Korean Film Archive.
- July 16: MBC 70th Independence Day Documentary and Interviews
MBC held interviews with Dylan Davis in Seoul and former country rep David Steinberg in Washington, DC. for a special documentary on the 70th anniversary of Korea’s independence from Japan. The documentary aired on August 10th under the title of “Together with the World, Korea: From Aid Recipient to Donor”.
- August 21: Talk on TAF Environmental Programs at the U.S. Embassy
Dylan Davis presented on The Asia Foundation’s environmental programming in Asia to a group of Korean environmental organizations. The talk was part of a workshop for academic engagement on environmental issues organized by U.S. Embassy Seoul and the Korean Society for Marine Environment and Energy.
[Feature] Han, Sung-joo, “The Need for Strategic Dialogue between Korea and the U.S.,” Donga Ilbo, June 15, 2015
http://news.donga.com/List/ColumnSiron/3/040111/20150615/71862918/1
Han, Sung-joo, “Berating a Crisis would Backlash Diplomatic Fluidity,” Yonhap, May 07, 2015
http://www.yonhapnews.co.kr/bulletin/2015/05/07/0200000000AKR20150507169100001.HTML
Hong, Seok-hyun, “Entrepreneurship has to be Done by the Best. Government Should Create an Environment for Entrepreneurship,” Joongang Ilbo, May 28, 2015
http://article.joins.com/news/article/article.asp?total_id=17906807&ctg=1200
Hong, Seok-hyun, “Korea Needs a Third Establishment of the Broadcasting System,” Korea Daily, May 28, 2015
http://www.koreadaily.com/news/read.asp?art_id=3415089
Kim, Jin-hyun, “A Talk with Kim Byung joon: Kim Jin Hyun, Chairman of World Peace Forum,” Maeil News, August 10, 2015
http://www.imaeil.com/sub_news/sub_news_view.php?news_id=44540&yy=2015
Kim, Jin-hyun, “70 Years after Independence: how to Achieve Unity,” YTN, August 13, 2015
http://www.ytn.co.kr/_ln/0103_201508131352475154
Kim, Jin-hyun, “To save Korea, stop idolizing Park Jung-hee and Kim Dae-joong,” SinDongA, July 2015, 607
http://shindonga.donga.com/docs/magazine/shin/2015/06/23/201506230500006/201506230500006_1.html
Kim, Ki-Hwan, “The Restriction on Foreigners’ use of Korean Won Should be Deregulated Decisively,” Chosun Ilbo, June 19, 2015
http://news.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2015/06/18/2015061803853.html
Lee, Hong-koo, “Putting Democracy Back on Track,” Korea Joongang Daily, July 14, 2015
http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=3006595
Lee, Hong-koo, “Ideals and Realities,” Korea Joongang Daily, August 04, 2015
http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=3007473
Lee, Hong-koo, “Lessons from King Sejong,” Korea Joongang Daily, May 06, 2015
http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=3004875
Lee, Hong-koo, “Legacy of the April Revolution,” Korea Joongang Daily, April 20, 2015
http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=3003342
Lee, Hong-koo, “Reforms to Believe In,” Korea Joongang Daily, May 11, 2015
http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=3004066
Lee, Hong-koo, “The Neighborly Way,” Korea Joongang Daily, June 22, 2015
http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=3005787
Park, Jin, “Government Should Support Foreign Language Education,” Chosun Ilbo, May 26, 2015
http://news.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2015/05/25/2015052501966.html
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