“Asia Centre’s AI Hub: Advancing Democracy and Human Rights“
On August 28, 2025, The Diplomat published an article by Asia Centre’s Regional Director, Dr. James Gomez, titled “Asia Centre’s AI Hub: Advancing Democracy and Human Rights.”
In this article, the authors introduce the newly launched AI Hub for Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), which aims to address the lack of AI literacy among human rights groups. The article argues that while AI can be used to strengthen advocacy and make electoral processes more transparent, it also poses immense dangers like deepfakes and mass surveillance. The AI Hub is presented as a crucial platform for CSOs to conduct research, build capacity, and engage in advocacy, ensuring they have a genuine seat at the table in debates that will shape the future of democracy and human rights.
“Restoring Indigenous Agency: Why Cambodia Must Tackle Climate Disinformation“
On August 19, 2025, The Diplomat published an article by Asia Centre’s Regional Director, Dr. James Gomez, titled “Restoring Indigenous Agency: Why Cambodia Must Tackle Climate Disinformation.”
In this article, the authors argue that climate disinformation in Cambodia is a deliberate strategy that harms Indigenous communities and undermines their ability to address climate change and deforestation. The article outlines how false narratives and corporate “greenwashing” lead to the exclusion and displacement of Indigenous peoples. It calls for urgent action from the government, civil society, and tech companies to counter these narratives and restore the agency of Indigenous communities, which is crucial for achieving just and sustainable climate solutions.
“Retreating Is Not Safety: How Cambodia Drives Women Out of Civic Spaces“
On July 1, 2025, The Diplomat published an article by Asia Centre’s Regional Director, Dr. James Gomez, titled “Retreating Is Not Safety: How Cambodia Drives Women Out of Civic Spaces.”
In this article, the authors explain how technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) is forcing women journalists and human rights defenders in Cambodia to withdraw from public life. The article, which is based on an Asia Centre study, argues that this retreat is not a form of safety but rather the intended outcome of the violence. It highlights the insufficient legal frameworks, lack of trust in the justice system, and the culture of impunity that reinforce this silencing of women, ultimately leading to a loss of valuable voices in civic spaces.
“Impact of US Foreign Aid Cut in Asia to be Minimal“
On June 28, 2025, the Bangkok Post published an article by Asia Centre’s Regional Director, Dr. James Gomez, titled “Impact of US foreign aid cut in Asia to be minimal.”
In this article, Dr. Gomez argues that the recent cuts to US foreign aid for democracy promotion in Asia will have a limited effect. He contends that the aid was often ineffective, as most of the funds were directed to large Western NGOs rather than local civil society organisations. The article suggests that this reduction in funding serves as a wake-up call for local actors to find alternative sources of support and for donors to adopt more direct, grassroots-focused funding models, emphasizing that democracy must ultimately be built from within.
“Halting democratic backsliding in Asia“
On January 1, 2025, The Annapurna Express published an article by Asia Centre’s Regional Director, Dr. James Gomez, titled “Halting democratic backsliding in Asia.”
In this article, Dr. Gomez highlights a troubling trend of democratic backsliding in the Asia-Pacific region. He argues that strengthening political participation among the youth can serve as a crucial defense against the erosion of democratic norms. The article presents a summary of key issues raised by youth leaders from countries including Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Malaysia during a regional dialogue, and outlines solutions to encourage their political engagement and address the barriers that prevent them from taking on leadership roles.