Southeast Asia Regional Office

"For the times they-are-a-changin"  
(Bob Dylan)

Asia in 1999 presents a very different image from the preceding years. The roaring economic ‘tiger’ states have been reduced to house cats.  Some states have started to recover and are putting on new weight due to the medicine they were prescribed by the IMF.  India and Pakistan have tested atomic bombs, endangering the security of the region.  A military coup removed the Nawaz Sharif government of Pakistan in October 1999, promising economic and social reforms but no binding timetable has been set for a return to democracy.  Local wars are still raging in Sri Lanka and India. Sectarian killings are almost a normal event in Pakistan. Political upheavals have followed the economic decline in Indonesia and Malaysia.

However, this seemingly depressing scenario also provides a lot of hope and opportunities. Civic society in Asia is in turmoil. People are reclaiming their democratic rights and taking a close, critical look at their institutions. The crash of the ‘tiger’ economies have made them question the development models they have been following, as well as the much propagated ‘laissez faire market economy’. New debates are taking place, questions are being asked, new initiatives are being started, new social movements are being formed....

The Thais, for instance, have a new constitution, which, for the first time, was based on recommendations from all sections of society.  On the threshold of the 21st century Asia is ready for change.  Indonesia has had its first free elections and is now on the slippery path to democracy. East Timor became an independent state! China is to enter the WTO.  In Burma , time for change is yet to come!

The Heinrich-Böll-Foundation, as well, has not remained inactive during this period. In 1997, the three small foundations close to the Alliance 90/The Green Party, namely the Buntstift Foundation, the Women’s Association [loosely translated] and the old Heinrich-Böll-Foundation joined together to form a new, larger Heinrich-Böll-Foundation with its headquarters in Berlin.

More regional offices have also been established around the globe and we, in Asia, have opened a new office in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in February 2000, for the South East Asian region.

The new representative for South East Asia is Dr. Heike Löschmann, who was formerly the Head of Asia Desk in Berlin. She has been succeeded by Gregor Enste.

Moreover, after the German elections of 1998, the Alliance 90/The Green Party has become part of the government coalition. Does it mean that we have also become a government foundation? No, we certainly have not. The Heinrich-Böll-Foundation is close to the Green Party, but does not belong to it. We are critical allies and supporters of the ideas and principles that form the basis of the green political platform. We are as eager to contribute to change in Europe, as we are to support you, who are changing Asia.

The Heinrich-Böll-Foundation will continue its work in Asia supporting gender democracy (equality for women and men in the political process and the economy); the construction of civil society; politics based on people’s democracy and sound ecological and economic sustainability and, last but not least, we, in our work, will continue to respect and take into account the diverse cultures of the region.

Therefore, what this all means is that today we are all new partners of a new foundation. That is the exciting thing. The foundation is new and will become what we make of it. This is a chance for us all. Let us grasp the opportunity and start together on the long road that lies ahead.