AusAID and The Asia Foundation have expanded their strategic partnership to address poverty in the region through a new three-year $19.5 million agreement.
Why this is important
As Australia strives to close development gaps in places most affected by poverty, conflict and instability, the Asia-Pacific region remains its highest priority focus.
"Seventy per cent of Australian aid is directed to the Asia-Pacific region. The expansion of Australia's strategic relationship with The Asia Foundation will help to increase the effectiveness and impact of both organisations through project collaboration, joint research, information sharing, and strategic collaboration," said AusAID Director General Peter Baxter.
The relationship further unites AusAID's internationally recognised role in the Asia-Pacific in delivering effective development assistance and The Asia Foundation's nearly 60 years of on-the-ground experience through its network of 17 country offices.
"A cornerstone of the expanded Australia and Asia Foundation partnership is to pioneer more effective delivery of aid," said David D. Arnold, President of The Asia Foundation.
"Our hope is that this collaboration will generate innovative, high-impact development at the country and regional level in the Asia-Pacific–and will contribute to global efforts to improve not only aid effectiveness, but improve the quality of life for millions of people."
What it will do
The agreement reflects shared interests in priority areas, including:
- effective governance, law, and justice
- conflict, security, and state fragility
- women's empowerment and gender equity
It will focus on a number of innovative activities including supporting important democratic reforms in Burma, helping Afghanistan through its transition and increasing social justice for Muslim women in South Asia.
Building on success
This enhanced strategic partnership will build on previous successes to address critical development challenges.
AusAID and The Asia Foundation are currently working together in Indonesia to provide electoral support to the national, provincial and district elections. This involves working with civil society, government agencies and media on projects such as providing voter education services, election monitoring and election management.
In the Philippines and Sri Lanka we are working to strengthen private sector and local government cooperation to create a better business environment that will help support economic growth and employment.
More information
About the Asia Foundation
The Asia Foundation is a nonprofit, nongovernmental organization committed to the development of a peaceful, prosperous, just, and open Asia-Pacific region.
Useful links
- The Asia Foundation (external site)
- Media release about the partnership (external site)