As Asian economies have emerged from the “Global South” in marked contrast with the African and Latin American experiences, so has their presence as development planners and donors on the international stage. This conference will explore Asian approaches to addressing human needs in the context of international political and economic linkages. Particular attention will be given to Asian foreign aid policies, the role of civil society in relation to development, and the impact of grassroots health care initiatives on development. The final aim will be to identify and assess the impact, significance and lessons learned from differing development strategies in Asia.