Feudal Forces: Reform Delayed (2010)
From the Khyber Pass to the Burmese border, and from the Himalayas to the Pearl of the Orient, the state of policing throughout Commonwealth South Asia is abysmal. This publication by the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) examines the current state and pace of police reforms in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka and what concrete steps can be undertaken to transition policing in the region from a force to a service.
CHRI has found that even as some weak attempts have been made in South Asia to reduce the politicisation of police, increase its accountability, and improve its management, implementation has been poor because governments are reluctant to fully and urgently engage on desperately needed reform.
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Anatomy of the Autonomy (2010)
The conflict over, and within, Kashmir has a number of possible solutions. One of these is the use of ‘autonomy’, ‘self-rule’ or ‘shared sovereignty’ as a method to go beyond the already established positions of the governments of India and Pakistan or to modify them in a way that would allow for a greater amount of freedom for the people of Jammu & Kashmir without threatening the two countries. “Anatomy of the Autonomy” examines five such documents, comparing and contrasting their approach and content vis-à-vis each other.
A Line that Controls (2010)
A report on the cross-LOC trade
A key breakthrough in the tense India-Pakistan relations over the disputed region of Kashmir was the opening of trade across the Line of Control (LoC). The LoC has been the de facto border which divides the Indian administered areas of the former princely state of Jammu & Kashmir and the Pakistani administered areas. "A Line that Controls" examines the impact of this small opening at the LoC ever since trade commenced on 21 October 2008 on the Indian side of the LoC, and assess how it could function as the foundations for peace and prosperity.
Global Financial Crises and its Impact on South Asia (2009)
by Liberal Youth South Asia (LYSA)
South Asian countries have much in common and even more to share. How do young South Asians evaluate the effects of the global financial crisis for South Asia and what conclusions can be drawn from it? This publication gives liberal answers to the crisis and puts South Asian perspectives in the spotlight. These ideas are inspiring and thought-provoking and show the potential of the region, as well as of the young liberal thinkers in South Asia.
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There are 935 laws in Bangladesh that touch on the issue of policing in some way. Consequently, the system is highly irrational. The biggest stumbling block in achieving a reorganised and more effective police service has been the failure to pass legislation that updates the 1861 Police Act. But even in the absence of legislative action, there is a great deal of internal reform the Bangladesh Police can enact in order to update processes and procedures.
Beyond Borders
In Search of a Solution for Kashmir
In 2004, participants of a series of dialogue meetings and conferences within the state of Jammu & Kashmir voiced the need of meeting people across the Line of Control. The year had started with the launch of the Vajpayee-Musharraf peace process. This was a window of opportunity to facilitate a civil society dialogue parallel to meetings between the Governments of India and Pakistan. Finally in 2005, the first Intra-Jammu Kashmir Dialogue was held in Srinagar with participation from AJK and Gilgit and Baltistan. The conferences were held by the Centre for Dialogue and Reconciliation (CDR) and supported by FNF. 'Beyond Border, In Search of a Solution for Kashmir' reflects the discussions and agreements reached during these conferences.
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The latest publication brought out by the Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung für die Freiheit together with the Foundation Books (Cambridge University Press India Pvt. Ltd.) discusses the essentials of Liberal Philosophy, while also indicating how appropriate it is in the South Asian context.
Liberalism was the only ideology side-tracked by almost all political parties in the post-colonial period in South Asia. Recently, many political parties have implemented liberal policies on an adhoc basis and without a proper framework to guide them.
Transformation to Market Economy (2008)
In this handbook, Bibek Debroy argues in favour of market forces and economic freedom as the important ingredients of development, progress and prosperity. He compares and analyses the different Indices published by different institutions and their relevance in policy reforms, which are certainly critical to all countries to be competitive and economic growth.
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Our Common Future: South Asia (2008)
by Liberal Youth South Asia (LYSA)
Apart from all frictions, South Asian countries have much in common. Not only their millennia old traditions or a colonial history and subsequent forms of colonial legacy. But also an engaged youth which forms an important part of the vibrant South Asian civil societies, who we place so much hope upon. These young citizens can generate and introduce new ideas into old systems - if given the opportunity.
Here lies a great potential, so far almost untapped. How do young South Asians evaluate the common challenges of the region? Answers given in this publication – manifold and liberal, zooming in on certain issues or countries - are inspiring and thought-provoking.
Download the publication.
Implementing Access to Information (2008)
The report sets out a step-by-step guide on how to overcome entrenched bureaucratic cultures of secrecy, inconsistent legislation, process and system constraints and a lack of understanding of the law by officials to ensure effective implementation of freedom of information laws in Commonwealth countries. The publication is divided into four parts setting out the four key areas of change required to ensure implementation in a correct and effective manner. You may access this publication online on CHRI’s website at http://www.humanrightsinitiative.org/publications/rti/implementing_ati.pdf
Right to Information Pamphlets (2008)
(in Urdu, also available in Tamil and Sinhala)
In an age where information is available at the click of a button, lack of information continues to frustrate people’s ability to make informed choices, participate in governance and hold their public authorities accountable for their actions. Governments need information to act on people's behalf. The information they gather using public funds are for public purposes and meant for the public's benefit. This information is a public good that we own collectively .
Feudal Forces
Feudal Forces: Democratic Nations - Police Accountability in Commonwealth South Asia
(2007)
CHRI’s 2007 report on policing explores the current police accountability in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, India, Maldives and Pakistan. The Report calls for the transformation of policing to a model of democratic policing in which the police are: subject to the rule of law and responsible to human rights; accountable to a variety of institutions; transparent about policies, decisions and actions taken in their work; and responsive to and representative of the people they serve.
For more information visit:
http://www.humanrightsinitiative.org/publications/police/
feudal_forces_democratic_nations_police_acctability_in_cw_south_asia.pdf
An Inclusive World (2007)
In which the West, Islam and the Rest have a stake
The greatest challenge of the 21st century is for us to come together to discover our common identity, reaffirm and restore core human values, to appreciate our common history and to create a shared future.
An Inclusive World: In which the West, Islam and the Rest have a stake, is an report deriving insight from a study of incidences of terror in all parts of the world and reviews why terrorism takes places in all parts of the world - Latin America, Africa, Asia and the Middle East. It exposes contradictions in self serving Eastern and Western discourse. It also envisages the framework for a sustainable global security architecture, where co-existence triumphs over discord and hope wins over fear. It proposes building blocs of an alternative future that are politically feasible as well as presents action plans for a series of initiatives for leaders, experts, and civilians to collaborate on.
Published by Strategic Foresight Group
For more details and download of this publication please visit www.strategicforesight.com
Constructing Peace – Deconstructing Terror (2006)
Outcome of the third International Roundtable, November 2006, European Parliament, Brussels
About 40 leaders from Europe, Asia and the Middle East participated in the Roundtable. They included serving cabinet ministers, former ministers, leaders of parliamentary groups, special envoys of the heads of multilateral organisations and directors of important institutions. The distinguished group recommended an Inclusive Semi Permanent Conference on Peace in the Middle East, a Western Islamic Dialogue and Engagement Initiative, a International Historical Study Group on Common Human Civilisation, an Arab Islamic Renaissance Initiative and the promotion of the Compact of Dialogue-Democracy-Development. The Roundtable welcomed the Report of the High Level Group of the Alliance of Civilizations of the United Nations.
Published by Strategic Foresight Group
For more details and download of this publication please visit www.strategicforesight.com
Cost of Conflict in Sri Lanka (2006)
Cost of Conflict in Sri Lanka report uses creative analytical tools developed by the Strategic Foresight Group to assess the impact of conflict on different sections of Sri Lankan economy and society as well as its comprehensive impact on the future of the nation. The report builds on and studies not only the direct costs of conflict such as human deaths, increased military expenditure, or economic losses in the form of lowered foreign direct investment or losses in tourism. But, it also studies the effects of a two decade plus conflict in promoting societal corrosion and segregation, political polarization and extremism and regional disparity. The report also provides 2005-2010 scenarios for Sri Lanka under the differing situations of peace, ceasefire and conflict.
Published by Strategic Foresight Group
Available at http://www.strategicforesight.com/ccinsrilanka.htm
Investments in Bhutan, India & Nepal (2006)
A stock-taking
The regional partner of the Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung für die Freiheit, SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) captured the investment scenario in the region through their three publications each featuring Bangladesh, Pakistan and India (along with Bhutan and Nepal). In the series on Bhutan, India and Nepal, the report identifies some major constraints on Investments in these three countries and comes out with opportunities and challenges in important sectors like Tourism, Airports and Aviation, Telecommunications, IT and outsourcing, Energy, Health, Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical and the SME sector.
For more information contact :
SAARC Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Email : info@saarcchamber.com
Website : www.saarchamber.com
Investments in Bangladesh (2006)
A stock-taking
The report 'Investments in Bangladesh: A stock taking' recognizes the growing potential of the country and its strategic location connecting South Asia to the South East Asia and ASEAN markets, it suggests that Bangladesh has the potential to be an entry port to the region, a potential small scale Singapore, for the region covering Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and eight north eastern Indian states.
The report suggests that Bangladesh is poised to become a regional hub where activities relating to assembling, manufacturing, trading and services, would be some of the areas that are picking up over the years. This geopolitico-economic location of Bangladesh indicates a promising future.
For more information contact :
SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Email : info@saarcchamber.com
Website : www.saarchamber.com
Cost of Conflict between India and Pakistan (2004)
For the first time in the 57 years of hostility between India and Pakistan a comprehensive assessment of the cost of conflict between the two countries has been made by Strategic Foresight Group in this report. The past assessment of the cost of conflict has been limited to military expenditure and opportunity cost of trade. The Cost of Conflict between India and Pakistan, takes into account comprehensive economic costs, socio-political damage, military costs, diplomatic costs, human costs and even the implications of the nuking of Mumbai and Karachi. The report has also estimated Gross Terror-economy Product (GTP) of Kashmir and Pakistan and likely financial and human costs that the two countries will incur in the next five years if they do not consolidate the gains made at the SAARC Summit at Islamabad in January 2004. It is a rare document, presented in graphical form for easy and quick comprehension by decision makers.
Published by International Centre for Peace Initiatives
Available at http://www.strategicforesight.com/costofconflict.htm
WTO Membership: Opportunities and Challenges for SMEs in Nepal (2004)
National Seminar on "WTO Membership: Opportunities and Challenges for SMEs in Nepal"
A National Seminar on "WTO Membership: Opportunities and Challenges for SMEs in Nepal" was organised on 21-22 December 2003 in Kathmandu by Small and Medium Enterprise Development Project (SMEDP) and Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), in joint collaboration with South Asia Watch on Trade, Economics & Environment (SAWTEE), Kathmandu and federation of Nepalese Cottage and Small Industries (FNCSI), Kathmandu.
This timely seminar provided a meaningful platform to the Nepalese SMEs, government authorities, policymakers, civil society organisations, development workers, and media to understand and discuss various vital issues emanating from Nepal's accession to the WTO. The seminar helped develop a common agenda on SMEs.
For more information contact:
Small and Medium Enterprise Development Project
P. O. Box: 20294, FNCCI Building,
Shahid Shukra Milan Marg
Teku, Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel.: +9771 1 4261750
Fax: +9771 1 4258535
Email: smedp@wlink.com.np
Political Strategies (2004)
Strategic planning and thinking has traditionally been commonplace in economic and military planning. In politics it has been an exception. However, the political arena also requires strategic planning and thinking. Strategic planning can form the basis for the implementation of successful campaigns.
The publication draws on the practical experience of the author Peter Schroeder, who is one of the most experienced consultants for Strategic Planning with FNF. The book contains, in a clear and concise manner, strategies politicians could follow to be successful in politics. The intention is to provide politicians a set of tools to look beyond tactics, and encourage them instead to employ a long-term, strategic approach to politics for the betterment of people’s lives.
However, this book is not strictly targeted at politicians in political parties. The book can also be useful for political managers working in NGOs.
The German original by Mr. Peter Schroeder has been translated and printed by the FNF New Delhi office.
ISBN number 81-902945-0-4
For more information contact the FNF New Delhi office.
WTO: Where to go from Cancun? (2004)
Liberal Digest
This is the 1st publication in the Liberal Digest Series. The issue of WTO is being discussed for sometime now. Cancun meeting is the 5th in the series of WTO's ministerial meetings.
The former Chairman of the board of the Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung, Dr. Otto Count Lambsdorff, in his speech in December 2003 at Bangkok dealt with the question: Where to go from Cancun? In his speech Dr. Lambsdorff indicates that rule making, accompanied by improved market access should help to sustain higher rates of global economic growth and poverty reduction in addition to helping developing countries to integrate better into the world economy.
The book discusses where the WTO is heading following the Cancun meet. Although Nepal has become the 148th country to join the World Trade Organization (WTO), there are only a few people who know all about what the WTO means and how it is going help or affect them in the years ahead.
The Indian perspective has been dealt with by Dr. Veena Jha. An introduction to the issue has also been included in this booklet.
For more information contact the FNF New Delhi office.
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