Asia
Asia is a turbulent region with several ongoing or potential conflicts. Burma is still held in an iron grip by an intractable military regime, while China is a land in transformation, and the deficiencies there in human, labour, and political rights are still significant. Countries in the region are plagued by a number of problems which often arise in connection with poverty and conflicts, such as the drugs trade, trafficking, and corruption. Environmental destruction is a further threat and HIV/AIDS is a growing problem, which many regimes in the region refuse to acknowledge. The tsunami which struck several countries just after Christmas 2004 naturally affected work in the region profoundly.
The Palme Center’s projects are aimed at supporting civil society in the region. These projects concern popular education, developing cooperatives, and work for peace, as well as human, labour, and political rights. The Palme Center is the coordinating organisation for a major project to prepare for Burma’s transition to democracy. Another important area is to strengthen regional cooperation between labour and popular organisations. A network has been organised, including LEARN in the Philippines, the AMRC and HKCTU in Hong Kong, and the Labour Education Foundation in Pakistan.