The Asia Foundation carries out a range of important activities in Singapore, with special focus on exchange programs, the Partners in Asian Development program, and conferences on key regional and international issues. The Southeast Asia sessions of the Foundation's quadrennial America's Role in Asia program are held in Singapore. The country has also been a destination for fellows and exchange participants, including emerging American leaders from government, civil society, and the private sector. Since 1979, The Asia Foundation has placed 19 young Americans in Singapore as part of the Luce Scholars program.
There is also growing interest within Asia on Singapore as a place for learning and capacity-building. Through cooperation with Singapore organizations such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, the Foundation has facilitated activities ranging from training for Director-level officials from Afghanistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to a study visit for officials from Vietnamese government policy planning offices.
The Foundation also hosts regional workshops in Singapore, such as the June 2008 International Workshop on Autonomy and Armed Separatism in South and Southeast Asia, held in partnership with the Asia Research Institute at the National University of Singapore.
Singapore
The Asia Foundation operates a non-resident program in Singapore that cooperates with local organizations, the private sector, and government institutions to carry out and host exchange programs and conferences, strengthen international relations, and support economic and social development through Asian philanthropy. The Foundation maintained a Singapore office from 1954 to 1977; current activities are coordinated through a local consultant.