A Political Utopia Called Singapore

A Political Utopia called Singapore: Will the PAP stay in power another 50 years? Since its independence in 1965, Singapore has been continuously governed by the People's Action Party (PAP) as it won every General Election. In the 2011 General Election, the PAP won 60.1% of the valid votes the lowest in its entire election history fueling discussion of political change in the city-state.  But in the 2015 General Election, the PAP dramatically improved their mandate to govern by winning 69.9% of the valid votes surprising even some of its own party candidates. Is the PAP's landslide victory at the recent…

Continue ReadingA Political Utopia Called Singapore

1st Benedict Anderson Memorial Roundtable: Debating Imagined Communities

  • Post author:
  • Post category:News

Debating Imagined Communities: A Tribute To Benedict Anderson celebrated the life and work of the late Professor Anderson. Held on 30 January 2016 at Asia Centre in Bangkok, Thailand; the event attracted a diverse audience of about 40 people including friends and colleagues of Anderson, as well as students and members of public who were keen to learn more about the scholar and his work.   Professor James Gomez, Associate Dean (International Affairs) at the School of Communication Arts, Bangkok University and co-founder of the Asia Centre, opened the event by discussing how Anderson’s work sits in relation to his contemporaries.…

Continue Reading1st Benedict Anderson Memorial Roundtable: Debating Imagined Communities

Irregular Foreigners’ Right to Health in Japan

  • Post author:
  • Post category:News

Asia Centre hosted Institute of Human Rights and Peace Studies, Mahidol University student Yasuyuki Kato on 19th October 2015. Kato presented his thesis; "Irregular Foreigners' Right to Health in Japan: An Analysis from the Perspectives of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights". Kato's research provided insight into some of the challenges that irregular migrants in Japan face when accessing healthcare services. The seminar also discussed the duties of the Japanese government with regards to the provision of adequate healthcare services as well as their differentiated obligations towards citizens and non-citizens.

Continue ReadingIrregular Foreigners’ Right to Health in Japan