About ADRN

The Asia Democracy Research Network (ADRN) is an independent network of democracy research institutions across Asia. It was launched in 2013 to analyze challenges and tasks facing democracy in the Asian region and expand the scope of action-oriented, policy-driven research that supports the advocacy activities of Asian civil society organizations in promoting and consolidating democracy. The  Society for Participatory Research in Asia (India), the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (Indonesia), Genron NPO (Japan), the East Asia Institute (South Korea), the Political Education Academy (Mongolia), the Centre for Policy Alternatives (Sri Lanka), the Asian Barometer (Taiwan), and King Prajadhipok's Institute (Thailand) are current members of ADRN.

Activities

EAI Supports Civil Society Empowerment in Myanmar/Bruma

In efforts to strengthen the research and institutional capacity of think tanks in Myanmar/Bruma, East Asia Institute (EAI) along with four local organizations organized two workshop and an international conference, and conducted government monitoring research from April 2015 to April 2016. Related paper on the ongoing transition and prospects of democracy in Myanmar by Jae Hyeok Shin can be found here

Wording the Political Milieu: Trait of a President

Paving the way for more effective and efficient leadership in South Korea, EAI conducted its first roundtable for the "Keys to Successful Presidency 2018" Project on March 7, 2016. Former Blue House Secretary for Information and Policy Monitoring Kwang-jae Lee was invited was invited to share his insights on what makes a successful president. This memo is written in Korean.

Memorialization for Transnational Justice in Sri Lanka

After the end of a 25-year civil war in the country in 2009, there has been ongoing efforts for political reconcilliation in Sri Lanka. Center for Policy Alternative's (CPA) Thyagi Ruwanpathirana has suggested the role of memorialization as the key to the betterment of the government's transitional justice agenda.

Civic Spaces and Its Significance to Democracy: PRIA Responds

Highlighting the need to expand space for civic exchanges and the recent emergence of new actors in the development sector, the Society for Participatory Research in Asia(PRIA) hosted a one-day seminar attended by representatives of civil society organizations and donor agencies working in India on February 15, 2016.

“Creative and Contemporary Approaches” to Revitalize Democracy

An opinion piece by Rajesh Tandon emphasizes strengthening respect for diversity and democratic institutions demands more attention than scrutiny over funding sources of civil societies in order to achieve democratic progress in India.

Education on Governance: CSO Engagement with Local Government in Papua

With support from UNDEF, Medelina K. Hendityo of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) conducted research entitled “Empowering Civil Society Group to Promote Participatory Governance” between July to December 2015, mainly focusing on ensuring and supporting good governance in Papua by promoting education and social accountability of CSOs, local parliament and government.