The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) is a network of 85 member organisations across 23 countries, mainly in Asia. Founded in 1991, FORUM-ASIA works to strengthen movements for human rights and sustainable development through research, advocacy, capacity development and solidarity actions in Asia and beyond. It has consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council, and consultative relationship with the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights. The FORUM-ASIA Secretariat is based in Bangkok, with offices in Jakarta, Geneva and Kathmandu.
FORUM-ASIA is committed to empowering civil society and marginalised communities by promoting and protecting human rights, civic space and democracy in the region and building a resilient Asian civil society and marginalised communities continuing their work for human rights, civic space and democracy safely and sustainably. FORUM-ASIA will implement the following cross-cutting and overarching strategic interventions to achieve the desired outcomes serving as pre-conditions in the theory of change:
- Collect and synthesize credible and verifiable evidence.
- Conduct evidence-based advocacy on human rights, civic space and democracy.
- Needs-based capacity building to equip civil society and marginalised communities ,
- Protection and institutional/operational strengthening of civil society and marginalised communities in both preventive and responsive manner.
- Strategic communication and engaging with media and audiences who can influence change.
Learn more about FORUM-ASIA work in 2021, check out its Annual Report 2021 here.
For more information on the history of FORUM-ASIA, check out the chapter in our anniversary publication, ’30 Years of Striving for Human Rights in Asia’
Our Core Values
Everything we do in the pursuit of FORUM-ASIA’s purpose, vision and mission are guided by our core values and principles that reflect who we are and what we stand for. Our core values are:
- Transparency & Accountability
- Inclusion
- Relevance & Impact
- Creativity & Learning
- Safeguarding Wellbeing
- Empathy & Compassion
About the Secretariat
The Regional Secretariat of FORUM-ASIA has been based in Bangkok since 1992.
The Secretariat is headed by the Executive Director, who is responsible for assuring that the Secretariat implements the decisions of the Executive Committee. The Secretariat is composed of an international team of professionals. Their work is structured through programmes that reflect the strategies and priorities of FORUM-ASIA.
About the Executive Committee
The Executive Committee is the policy-making body that supervises the work of the Secretariat. Members are elected by the General Assembly, which convenes once every three years.
The current members of the Executive Committee for the period 2022-2025 are:
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Jerald Joseph, Pusat KOMAS, Malaysia, Chairperson
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Taskin Fahmina, Odhikar, Bangladesh – Vice-chairperson
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Ritz Lee, Balay Alternative Legal Advocates for Development in Mindanaw (BALAOD Mindanaw) – Treasurer
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Tolekan Ismailova, Bir Duino, Kyrgyzstan
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Kirity Roy, Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha (MASUM), India
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Julius Ibrani, Indonesian Legal Aid and Human Rights Association (PBHI), Indonesia
- Dr Renu Rajbhandari, Women’s Rehabilitation Centre (WOREC), Nepal.
