We promote informal, open and non-confrontational dialogue between civil society and government representatives on human rights issues of importance to Asia and Europe and provide tailored capacity-building training for diplomats engaged in public diplomacy efforts.
The Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) is an intergovernmental, not-for-profit organisation which brings together the people of Asia and Europe to address common global challenges. It is the only permanent institution of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) political dialogue Process and is publicly funded by voluntary contributions from 53 ASEM Partners.
Governance is one of ASEF’s seven key thematic areas. In this field, we promote informal, open and non-confrontational dialogue between civil society and government representatives, particularly in human rights. Furthermore, we strive to enhance mutual understanding and cooperation among ASEM Partners by providing a tailored capacity-building training for early-/mid-career diplomats and government officials engaged in public diplomacy efforts.
We organise annual Human Rights seminars, trainings and outreach activities covering issues of importance to Asia and Europe. Through the Informal ASEM Seminar on Human Rights Series (ASEMHRS), we provide a multistakeholder platform for an exchange of views and practices related to human rights across Asia and Europe. We add value to the dialogue on human rights between Asia and Europe by transforming the results of our projects into actionable inputs. The recommendations are made available to the public through the ASEMHRS publications and seminar reports. The outcomes are further presented to a wider audience through outreach events and utilised to train government officials and practitioners on human rights topics through the annual Human Rights Training Programme.
Since 1997, ASEF has co-organised 21 Informal ASEM Human Rights Seminars across Asia and Europe with over 2,000 participants from ASEM Partner countries.
The ASEF Public Diplomacy Training (ASEFPDT) combines participatory online learning and face-to-face interactions facilitated by public diplomacy experts and trainers. The modules are designed to keep participants abreast of new developments in the field through peer-to-peer learning, analysing case studies and designing strategic campaigns.
ASEFPDT Alumni are encouraged to apply the practical skills they acquired through the online course and the face-to-face training in their work to increase foreign and domestic publics’ awareness of the Asia-Europe cooperation and ASEF.
Since its inception in 2013, ASEF has co-organised 11 tutored online courses and 9 face-to-face collaborations across Asia and Europe, benefitting more than 400 junior diplomats and civil servants from ASEM Partner countries.
A Rights-Based Approach to Poverty Reduction: Experiences and Lessons from Asia and Europe
Published in 2024Executive Summary – Human Rights Education & Training (in plain English)
Published in 2020Executive Summary – Persons with Disabilities and Human Rights (in plain English)
Published in 2019A Triple Win in Migration: Ensuring Migrant Workers’ Rights to Protect All Workers
Published in 2014The Future of an Asia-Europe: Strategic Partnership in Conflict Transformation
Published in 2011Early Warning Systems in Minority Conflicts: A Framework for Developing Regional Responses
Published in 2011Special Report: Minority Conflicts – Towards an ASEM Framework for Conflict Management
Published in 2009Special Report Conflict Prevention: Actors, Institutions and Mechanisms
Published in 2006Democracy in Asia, Europe and the World: Towards a Universal Definition?
Published in 2006Paths to Regionalisation: Comparing Experiences in East Asia and Europe
Published in 2005Overcoming Vulnerability: Managing New Security Challenges in Asia and Europe
Published in 2005Peace and Reconciliation: Success Stories and Lessons from Asia and Europe
Published in 2004The Role of the Individual vis-Ã -vis The Family, Society and State in Asia and Europe
Published in 2001Developing A Political-Security Dimension in Asian-European Co-operation
Published in 2001A Gender Agenda: Asia-Europe Dialogue – New Visions and Perspectives for Women and Men
Published in 2001Labour Relations In Asia And Europe: Exchanging Experiences And Perspectives
Published in 2000The Inaugural Asia-Europe Lecture: Asia and Europe: The Road from Bangkok to London and Beyond
Published in 1998First ASEM Seminar on Human Rights and the Rule of Law: Administration of Justice
Published in 1998
Listen to the Informal ASEM Seminar on Human Rights podcast on Spotify or Soundcloud.
Check out our ASEF Public Diplomacy Webinar Series
Governance & Sustainable Development
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