Structural challenges to civic spaces caused by laws, policies and other hindrances, particularly the critical role of media in fostering information integrity, must be examined to ensure civic spaces in Asia remain well-functioning. Towards that end, the civil society sector must build and sustain a cross-sector coalition to support one another. This was the main message across the two panel discussions hosted by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) during Asia Centre’s 9th Annual International Conference, held in Bangkok from 21 to 23 August 2024 under the theme “Shrinking Civic Space in Asia: Stories of Resistance and Pushback.”  In her opening…

Radio Taiwan International (Rti) served as a new title partner for Asia Centre’s 9th Annual International Conference, “Shrinking Civic Space in Asia: Stories of Resistance and Pushback,” held in Bangkok, Thailand, from 21 to 23 August 2024. Through its participation in the conference, Rti underscored the importance of fostering global collaboration in a unified effort to defend democracy; they also stressed that indigenous voices must be heard and represented to protect and expand civic spaces across Asia. On 21 August 2024, the evening before the main conference days, Rti hosted the opening panel of the conference titled “Borders and Ethnicities…

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…

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…