 |
 |
 |
Who is behind
Heinrich-Boell-Foundation?
Heinrich-Boell-Foundation (HBF) is one of the six public funded
foundations affiliated to those political parties represented in the
German Parliament.
The Foundation is closely
linked to the
Alliance 90/The Greens party. The Greens have been in government
since 1998 as the coalition partner of the
Social Democratic Party of Germany.
Although
Heinrich-Boell-Foundation stands close to the Green Party and represents
their interests and aims, it is an independent organization committed to
the ‘Green Project’. At the same time, the Foundation critically
monitors the green participation in the government and acts as a bridge to
the basis of the green party.
Back to top
|
|
Why a Heinrich-Boell-Foundation?
Heinrich Böll
(1917-1985) is still considered one of the most important writers and
social critics of the Federal Republic of Germany. In 1972 he received
the Nobel Prize for Literature. His novels and stories have been
translated into many languages, including short stories and essays in
Thai.
The name and works of
Heinrich Böll are a synonym for the political and social involvement of
the citizen, protection and development of his rights and his democratic
participation and commitment to civil courage and truth. The foundation,
named after him, feels indebted to his courageous and uncompromising
civil spirit.
Back to top
|
|
What is the ‘Green Project’?
The ‘Green
Project’ comprises the following essential aspects of the political work
of the Green Party, NGOs and civil organizations closely linked to the
green cause:
1. Building majorities at different
political levels for a society based on:
|
ecologically sustainable
economics, generation and social justice accompanied by the questioning
of a prevalent economic model of unfettered growth, |
|
equal chances for minorities and
migrants, |
|
gender equality/justice, |
|
a civil democracy enabling large
selections of the population to participate in the basic political
decision-making of the government. |
2. Fair distribution of world
resources between northern and southern hemispheres as well as equal voice
for developing countries within international negotiations.
3. Creation and installation of
mechanisms for 'good global governance' in the interest of the majority of
the global population
Back to top
|
|
Which are the challenges for Heinrich-Boell-Foundation in Asia?
‘Shift to Asia’ or ‘Asia –
the continent of the 21st century’ is a choice of slogans
symbolizing the economic and social changes in many parts of Asia and
their deep-rooted political importance. At the same time, attention has
been drawn to Asia’s world-wide impact in the intellectual and technical
fields. The malice displayed by some European media with headlines such as
‘Breakdown of the Asian economic miracle’ or ‘End of the Asian century’
and a dependence (though decreasing) on the financial drip of the IMF, do
not alter this fact. On the contrary, the management of the crisis has
made contradictions apparent and released a potential, which in the long
run, promotes democracy and social justice as a necessity for stability
and economic recovery. This process has been decisively influenced by
critical pressure of national and international NGOs.
Asia is highly varied in
cultural terms as well as regarding its economic power and democratic
history. In Europe, the perception of this fact has often been
inadequately differentiated. With South Asia on the one side and South
East Asia and parts of East Asia on the other, a visible economic and
social divide exists. The reciprocal perception of East and South East
Asia on the one and South Asia on the other side is blurred and the
intra-continental exchange has so far been insufficiently developed. One
must also keep in mind that China’s creative and economic power does not
only point the way to Asia’s future, but will also have a decisive effect
on the dynamics of geopolitical developments in the area.
This outlines the
challenges of the Heinrich Boell Foundation for years to come.
Back to top
|
|
Who are the Heinrich-Boell-Foundation’s partners in Asia and where is it
represented by an office?
Currently, there are
partner cooperation in India (especially with Exile-Tibetan community),
Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, the
Philippines, China, South Korea and Mongolia. In Lahore/ Pakistan,
the HBF is represented by a regional office for South Asia, and in New
Dehli/India with a country office. In
Phnom Penh/Cambodia there is a country office that cooperates
closely with the Thailand and Southeast Asia regional office in
Chiang Mai/North Thailand.
Beyond Asia, the
foundation is represented at 11 other locations, with lobby houses in
Brussels and Washington among them, and regional offices in Johannesburg,
Sarajevo, Rio de Janeiro, San Salvador, Tel Aviv and Ramallah.
Back to top
|
|
What are the project intervention themes and levels of the
Heinrich-Böll-Foundation in South East Asia?
1. Ecology and Sustainable
Development,
2. Empowerment of women and promotion of Gender Democracy,
3. Cultural Heritage and Development,
4. Promotion of Art and Culture as media for a
critical analysis of society,
5. Protection of Human Rights and promotion of
the rule of law and good governance.
Back to top
|
|
Which type of projects supports the Foundation at various levels?
Rural
development projects and the empowerment of civil people for self-help,
representation of interests and participation in the development process,
Lobbying for the implementation of political intervention at national
level,
Regional
networking,
Critiques and
advocacy at international level such as the UN and its organizations and
committees, or in the area of international finance and trade
organizations.
A booklet with
information on the individual projects supported by the Foundation is
available on request. ('The Long Road Ahead', journalistic essays by
Naurin Ahmad-Zaki, published by the Heinrich Boell Foundation, Lahore and
Chiang Mai)
Back to top
|
|
To reach for the stars and yet remain on the ground with both feet?
In the past few years,
there was an ongoing discussion within the Heinrich Böll Foundation,
regarding the concept and objectives of the projects to be supported by
the Foundation. The major question was the balance between projects
promoted on the international lobby level, supporting the creation of good
global governance structures as opposed to projects that were aimed at
poverty alleviation and gender justice through political and economic
grassroots empowerment.
As a result of this
discussion, the Foundation now tries to maintain different partnerships
through networking and exchange to link micro with macro and local with
global.
Back to top |
|
| Site Map |
| Please use the site map to see an overview of our web site. |
|
