The Challenges and Promise of Democratic Governance in Asia

The Office of External Affairs Presents

The Challenges and Promise of Democratic Governance in Asia

David D. Arnold, President, The Asia Foundation

Despite Asia’s dramatic growth, the region still faces daunting development challenges. Democracy remains fragile in many countries due to poverty and inequality coupled with political instability. Long-standing ethnic and religious conflicts drain national resources and women’s rights are threatened throughout much of the region. Access to justice is non-existent for large segments of the population and environmental degradation and poor natural resource management are growing, sometimes life-threatening, concerns. Underlying these challenges is a lack of good governance—effective state institutions, functioning legal systems, and mechanisms to ensure political accountability. Drawing on The Asia Foundation’s six decades of experience in promoting democratic governance in Asia, President Arnold will examine these key issues in four countries where the Foundation works: Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and Myanmar.

David D. Arnold, The Asia Foundation’s sixth president, is a highly-respected international development veteran with years of experience in the Asia-Pacific and the Middle East. He leads all aspects of the foundation, including its San Francisco headquarters, Washington D.C. office, and 18 country offices in Asia. Before joining the foundation, Arnold served as president of the American University in Cairo, executive vice president of the Institute of International Education, and India country representative at the Ford Foundation. He holds a master's degree in Public Administration from Michigan State University and a bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan.

Please RSVP: 808-944-7111 or EWCInfo@EastWestCenter.org

Event Sponsor
East-West Center, Mānoa Campus

More Information
(808) 944-7111, EWCInfo@EastWestCenter.org

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