The Zorig Foundation is a Mongolian non-profit, non-governmental organization which was established in October 1998 by close friends, collaborators and family members of Zorig Sanjaasuren

Sanjaasürengiin Zorig

Zorig Sanjaasuren was a prominent Mongolian politician and leader of the country's 1990 democratic revolution. He was called the "Golden Magpie of Democracy". His murder remains unsolved...

. Zorig Sanjaasuren was a prominent Mongolian pro-democracy politician who in 1998 became the Minister of Infrastructure. On 2 October 1998, Zorig Sanjaasuren was assassinated in his apartment. The foundation was established in his name to serve society. The principal objectives of the foundation include: spreading democratic values in Mongolian society, strengthening human rights, political freedoms and promotion of social justice. In addition, the Foundation strives to improve the system of transparency and accountability of the state and the government to the public.

Since its creation, the Zorig Foundation has been headed by Oyun Sanjaasuren

Sanjaasürengiin Oyuun

Sanjaasuren Oyun , also transcribed S. Oyun, is a prominent Mongolian politician. She is the leader of the Civil Will Party, and has been a Member of Parliament of Mongolia since 1998. She is also a former Minister of Foreign Affairs and is the current head of the Zorig Foundation...

, Zorig's younger sister.

Areas of Operation

The Foundation identifies three broad areas in which to focus in order to complete the principal objectives. The areas are: Good Governance, Youth and Education and Community Building. There are many initiatives and projects led by the Zorig Foundation to aid these areas of focus around Mongolia.

Youth and Education

The Zorig Foundation's projects in Youth and Education revolve around their provision of numerous scholarships and programs varying from full fee-paying scholarships to university students to education programs for young professionals and school age children.

Scholarships

The Zorig Foundation provides scholarships to Mongolian students studying both domestically and abroad. Each scholarship is provided through a partnership with the Foundation and various companies seeking to fund students. The Zorig Foundation will establish, manage and select students whilst the company will provide money and terms of the scholarship. Scholarships that the Zorig Foundation provides are in partnerships with companies such as Rio Tinto

Rio Tinto Group

The Rio Tinto Group is a diversified, British-Australian, multinational mining and resources group with headquarters in London and Melbourne. The company was founded in 1873, when a multinational consortium of investors purchased a mine complex on the Rio Tinto river, in Huelva, Spain from the...

, The Asia Foundation, LG International, amongst others. To date, the Zorig Foundation has provided over 1000 scholarships to Mongolian students.

Programs

In conjunction with the scholarship program, The Zorig Foundation also run development programs for young professionals and students. The two most notable of these programs is the Youth Leadership Program (YLP) and the Environmental Fellowship Program (EFP).

Corporate Structure

The Head of the Foundation is S. Oyun

Sanjaasürengiin Oyuun

Sanjaasuren Oyun , also transcribed S. Oyun, is a prominent Mongolian politician. She is the leader of the Civil Will Party, and has been a Member of Parliament of Mongolia since 1998. She is also a former Minister of Foreign Affairs and is the current head of the Zorig Foundation...

, a prominent Mongolian politician who is also the leader of the Civil Will Party. The organisation has 117 founding members.

Missions

• To demonstrate the powers of democracy to the Mongolian people
• To ensure human rights and encourage a more responsible society
• To respect differing opinions
• To work for a more transparent and accountable government.