Open Society Foundations WHO WE ARE HOW WE WORK WHAT WE DO ASIA PACIFIC The Open Society Foundations have been expanding and deepening its work in Asia—engaging on pressing local and regional issues, from ensuring protections for migrant workers to supporting independent journalism and human rights advocates. Overview Our History Our Work Offices and Foundations JavaScript chart by amCharts 3.21.15 1 2 3 4 Kabul, Afghanistan Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia Yangon, Myanmar Islamabad, Pakistan Foundation offices By the Numbers $56.0M 2020 EXPENDITURES FOR ASIA PACIFIC 4.1% PERCENTAGE OF GLOBAL EXPENDITURES 16.9% AVERAGE ANNUAL CHANGE IN EXPENDITURES SINCE 2016 Expenditures by Year 88 66 44 22 0 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Explore our full expenditures by theme and region OUR HISTORY The Open Society Foundations’ work in Asia has expanded in a way that reflects the diversity of political development across the region. After an unsuccessful effort to work in Beijing that ended just before the 1989 Tiananmen crackdown, we established our first foundation in the region in Mongolia in 1996. Elsewhere, moves from military to civilian rule allowed us to open foundations in Indonesia in 2000, in Pakistan in 2008, and in Myanmar in 2015. Our involvement in Myanmar followed many years providing scholarships and support for Myanmar students who had fled into exile after the military refused to cede power after elections in 1990. Highlights of Our Work in Asia Pacific Supporting Democracy in China 1986 Building a Brighter Future in Pakistan 2005 Advocating for the Rohingya 2015 Explore our history and timeline People walk through the streets of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. © Bryan Denton/The New York Times/Redux OUR WORK Our Asia Pacific Regional Office coordinates our work, which ranges from ensuring protections to migrant laborers to supporting human rights and a independent media. Access to Justice An elected official from Nepal who represents members of the Dalit community, which has historically been considered “untouchable.” © Kishor Sharma/Majority World for the Open Society Foundations In many parts of Asia, a lack of access to the protection of the law serves to perpetuate poverty and discrimination against women, ethnic minorities, and others. Open Society has worked in Nepal, Pakistan, Indonesia, the Philippines, Myanmar, and elsewhere to support the provision of free legal advice that helps people resolve everyday problems. In Pakistan, we have worked with the largest network of NGOs to train women as community-based paralegal advisors in remote villages. Supporting Citizen Engagement Pakistani university students use their mobile phones to record video of a protest in Islamabad, Pakistan, Friday, Jan. 7, 2011. © Muhammed Muheisen/AP/Shutterstock From the beginning, Open Society has supported democratic development in Asia, particularly in countries where democratic ideals remains contested. In Nepal, for instance, we have supported efforts to ensure that women and Dalits are included as candidates for local authority positions. Migration Workers take a lunch break in Doha, Qatar on February 25, 2009. © Matilde Gattoni/Redux Migrant workers from across Asia leave their homes in search of work, often supporting their families with jobs both elsewhere in the region, and further afield, such as the Arab Gulf, East Asia, and Europe. Our International Migration Initiative works with actors across the public, private and nonprofit sectors to promote fair and equitable working conditions for migrants and refugees, and to ensure that they are protected from all forms of abuse. Education In Pakistan, our Early Childhood Program joined our Pakistan foundation to assist in the creation of a national center of excellence for early childhood care and education, while our Education Support Program helped with the introduction of a professional development program for teachers that links curriculum reform, textbook development, and the assessment system. Children gather around their teacher in a classroom in Karachi, Pakistan on February 24, 2014. © Shakil Adil/AP READ MORE THE K-QUARANTINE Care Workers Deserve Credit for South Korea’s COVID-19 Response South Korea’s response to the coronavirus pandemic has been cited as a model in the international press. While their technology has been celebrated, the essential role care workers played in avoiding a larger crisis continues to be ignored. OCTOBER 8, 2020 | HYUNA MOON A CRISIS AVERTED Fighting the Pandemic in Pakistan’s Prisons Thanks to the heroic efforts of civil society groups, prisoners in Pakistan did not suffer a mass outbreak of COVID-19. What the near miss underlined, however, is the country’s urgent need for criminal justice reform. SEPTEMBER 9, 2020 | PARVEEN AZAM KHAN EXPLAINER What Is Harm Reduction? Harm reduction refers to a range of services and policies that lessen the adverse consequences of drug use and protect public health. The Open Society Foundations support efforts to advance harm reduction around the globe. JUNE 2021 Read more from this region: Asia Pacific Subscribe to updates about Open Society’s work around the world By entering your email address and clicking “Submit,” you agree to receive updates from the Open Society Foundations about our work. To learn more about how we use and protect your personal data, please view our privacy policy. VOICES Read the latest from our staff, grantees, and partners about how we’re working around the world to build vibrant and inclusive democracies whose governments are accountable and open to the participation of all people. Learn more HOW WE FUND Every year the Open Society Foundations give thousands of grants to groups and individuals that work on the issues we focus on—promoting tolerance, transparency, and open debate. Learn more WHO WE ARE Our History George Soros Leadership Financials Policies Programs Offices and Foundations HOW WE WORK How We Fund Grants, Scholarships, and Fellowships Awarded Grants WHAT WE DO Where We Work Themes Events Newsroom Publications Employment Contact Us © 2021 Open Society Foundations, some rights reserved. 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