Learning how governments managed the COVID-19 is crucial for protecting civic spaces and enhancing resilience and preparedness for future emergencies in Asia. This central theme emerged from all three-panel discussions hosted by the International Center for Not-for-profit Law (ICNL) - a Tier 1 title partner - during Asia Centre’s 9th International Conference, “Shrinking Civic Space in Asia: Stories of Resistance and Pushback,” held from 21 to 23 August 202 in Bangkok, Thailand. During her opening remarks on 22 August 2024, Julie Hunter, ICNL’s Senior Legal Advisor for Asia & the Pacific, outlined how ICNL’s contribution to the conference is aimed…

Counterpart International (CI) was a new title partner in Asia Centre’s 9th International Conference, held from 21 to 23 August 2024 in Bangkok, Thailand, under the theme “Shrinking Civic Space in Asia: Stories of Resistance and Pushback”. CI’s contributions throughout the Conference centred on the need to develop a comprehensive blueprint to guide the reopening of civic spaces and safeguard democratic values. This message emphasised the importance of strategic planning and actionable approaches to counteract the restrictions on civic freedoms and to promote resilience within the region’s civil society. Through its involvement, CI underscored the critical need for coordinated efforts and…

Indigenous communities across Asia are denied equal treatment and face significant challenges related to rights, representation and safety. Despite official legal recognition, these communities often feel powerless as the civic space to advocate for their rights and needs is diminishing. This was the core message delivered via the panel titled “The Vanguards of Change and Opportunities for Indigenous Youth and Women" held by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) during Asia Centre’s 9th Conference “Shrinking Civic Space in Asia: Stories of Resistance and Pushback” in Bangkok from 21 to 23 August 2024. The panel served as a…

From 21 to 23 August 2024, Asia Centre convened its 9th International Conference on "Shrinking Civic Space in Asia: Stories of Resistance and Pushback". Held on-site at the Pullman G Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand, the event brought together 120 participants from 27 countries, including members of INGOs, civil society organisations (CSOs), policymakers, and academics. The conference provided a platform for these stakeholders to discuss the challenges to civic space across the region, focusing not only on the difficulties that many actors currently face but also on their stories of resilience and resistance. Against the backdrop of increasing restrictions on freedom…

Asia Centre hosted the 2024 Oxfam Young Leader Fellowship Programme from 1st to the 5th of July 2024 in Bangkok, Thailand. This is the second cohort (read about the first cohort here), in which the fellowship aims to equip eight youths from eight different countries in Asia with the tools, skills, knowledge and networks to drive positive change in their communities. Apart from a week of onsite induction, close mentorship and hands-on practice will be other ways in which the fellows will be supported throughout the fellowship.The eight fellows chosen for the 2024 cohort are Seena Kimhoihching from India, Achmad…

CSOs in the region are confronting significant surveillance and privacy threats, but there are actionable steps they can take to mitigate these risks. This consensus emerged from the Asia Centre’s event on 18 July 2024, titled “Surveillance & Privacy: Safeguarding CSOs in the Age of Digital Threats”. 32 attendees, including CSOs from across the region joined the event which was part of the Digital Rights Programme for Civil Society Organisations, jointly organised by Asia Centre and Google Asia Pacific. Commencing in December 2023, the year-long Digital Rights Programme includes thematic online and onsite activities aimed at bringing CSOs together to address…

On 17 June 2024, nearly 50 representatives from local civil society organisations (CSOs) in Cambodia participated in the event “Digital Technology in Cambodia: Challenges and Opportunities” held in Phnom Penh. During the event, panellists and participants highlighted that, given the importance of artificial intelligence (AI) in shaping Cambodia’s society, the voices of CSOs must be heard in relevant discussions to ensure technological developments contribute to creating a just society.During the event, five panellists shared their experiences of using digital technology in their work, reflecting on how the popularisation of these tools has transformed Cambodian society and discussing potential future changes…

Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in the region can play an important role to strengthen media literacy for underrepresented groups - this was the thrust of the online panel discussion held on 16 May 2024 convened by Asia Centre.The event is a part of the Digital Rights Programme for Civil Society Organisations, convened by Asia Centre with support from Google Asia Pacific, to engage CSOs and their partners that currently work on the issues facing digital rights in the Asia-Pacific region. The programme, which started in December 2023, spans a year-long run of thematic online and onsite activities to bring CSOs…

Around 50 individuals from CSOs, diplomatic missions, media, think tanks, and universities gathered at Taiwan National University on 16 April 2024 to discuss concerns related to disinformation—the biggest digital threat facing the country. During the session, seven panellists shared their observations that there is a need to go beyond fact-checking and media literacy and focus on shifting the narratives disrupted by disinformation.The event co-convened by Asia Centre and Office of International Affairs, National Taiwan University (NTU-OIA) with support from Google, is part of a year long Digital Rights Programme for Civil Society Organisations. This meeting in Taiwan is part of…

Asia Centre’s Training Hub will enhance capacity in Cambodia by undertaking research and implementing customised training programmes for community organisations, government agencies, media organisations, non-governmental organisations, and universities.The Centre will deliver its capacity-building activities by: undertaking evidence-based needs assessments; design training programmes and curriculum, provide trainers to deliver ‘train-the-trainer’ and end beneficiary sessions; track the delivery of training programmes; and produce training evaluation reports.In order to undertake these activities in March 2024, Asia Centre established its Training Hub at the Toul Kork district in Phnom Penh. This area was chosen to ensure the Centre’s operations are close to the community,…