A discussion on access to justice in Southeast Asia was undertaken by a panel of women lawyers on 29 March 2017 at the Asia Centre. The session, jointly organised by Asia Centre and Akin Asia, offered the opportunity to understand some of the systemic problems with regards to rule of law and access to justice that affect women in the region. It was also an opportunity to better understand the roles that different players in the legal process play. The event was attended by over 30 participants, many with a legal background, keen to engage with the panel of top…

On the eve of the historic vote, Asia Centre convened a roundtable to discuss perspectives and predictions on the outcome of the US Presidential Elections. Entitled, “The 2016 US Elections: Change At Last?” the event was held in partnership with the Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA). The roundtable panel featured a former US ambassador, academics of various nationalities and disciplines and a journalist. All discussants provided their insight and analysis on the campaign period, what they saw as key determinants of the election and the impact the results would have on Asia. Margaret MacMillion, Former Ambassador of the United States…

A United Nations initiative reviewing human rights records of countries around the world is indirectly strengthening civil society organisations in Southeast Asia by allowing them to participate in the process. But the groups are still blocked from ensuring human rights are meaningfully protected in their countries. The UN General Assembly established its Human Rights Council and introduced the universal periodic review of the human rights situation in member countries in 2006. The ten Southeast Asian countries that make up ASEAN – Brunei Darussalam, Myanmar, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam – have now undergone two cycles of review,…

From October 14 to 17 2016, Asia Centre in partnership with International Forum for Inter-Media Art and Brack organised a cross-sector collaboration workshop. Conceptualised by Asia Centre Associate and iFima founder Dr Jay Koh, the 4 day conference cum workshop; explored how to stir civic consciousness and foster open social structures through public participation and engagement. The opening session on the 14th of October featured a discussion on Engaged Listening Across Fields of Practice with Dr Patama Satawedin (Som), Director of the Master of Communication Arts Programme at Bangkok University and Dr Jeremiah F. Morris, lecturer in Media and Communications at…