Capacity-builder of Non-Governmental Organizations in Asia Expands and Announces Interim Director
“We thank Meg for founding Asia Catalyst, for her dedication to grow the organization, and for her steadfast advocacy for health rights in Asia,” said Yvonne Chan, Board Chair. “We look forward to continuing our work together to support the leadership of Asian advocates.”
“Leading Asia Catalyst has been a profound experience, allowing me to work with and learn from inspiring grassroots activists,” said Davis. “Joining The Global Fund is an opportunity to continue that work at a global level. I look forward to supporting Asia Catalyst as it grows and develops under new leadership.”
Andrea Worden is a respected expert, lawyer, and advocate focused on human rights and rule of law in China. She has worked with nonprofit organizations to provide training and support to Chinese rights activists and lawyers. In addition, Ms. Worden teaches Chinese law as an adjunct faculty member of American University Washington College of Law and St. John’s University School of Law. Fluent in Mandarin, she earned a J.D. and an M.A. from Stanford University, and her B.A. from Yale University. She is not related to Asia Catalyst board member Minky Worden.
“Asia Catalyst has strong internal systems and a gifted and enthusiastic management team that is making a difference across Asia,” said Chan. “Andrea Worden has shown great talent for leadership on human rights, and we look forward to welcoming her to the Asia Catalyst family.”
Asia Catalyst was founded in 2006 with an initial grant of $50,000. Since then, the organization has provided capacity-building training and support to dozens of grassroots groups in China and Southeast Asia, and has published eight human rights reports. Today the organization has an annual budget of nearly $1 million, five full-time staff and three part-time staff. Staff leadership includes Brian Bonci, the director of finance and operations, Gisa Hartmann, China program director, and Shen Tingting, the advocacy director. Key publications include Know It, Prove It, Change It: A Rights Curriculum for Grassroots Groups and several reports on HIV/AIDS and human rights in Asia.
Its mission is to work with grassroots groups from marginalized communities in East and Southeast Asia that promote the right to health, and to help those partners become leading advocates at the local, national and global levels. For more information, please see www.asiacatalyst.org.
