The discourse on AI governance has been dominated by governments and the private sector, leaving civil society sidelined. To build genuine AI Public–Private–People Partnerships, civil society organisations need to be accorded a seat at the table. But to do this, they need meaningful cross-sector support to develop the capacities and resources necessary to safeguard democracy and human rights in the era of AI.This was the main message from Asia Centre’s 10th International Conference, “AI and Governance in Asia: Civil Society, Democracy and Media”, held 21 to 22 August 2025 at the VIE Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand. The Conference convened 50 participants from…

Initial findings from “Climate Disinformation in Cambodia: Undermining Indigenous Peoples’ Agency”, the first of seven reports, was discussed on 8 August 2025, with approximately 40 representatives from civil society organisations (CSOs), INGOs and the media sector. The event was held a day before the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. The discussion underscored the urgency of the findings and the need for a collaborative approach to protecting Indigenous rights ahead of this important day. Asia Centre, in partnership with the International Media Support (IMS), convened a national meeting where the key finding shows that in Cambodia, climate disinformation hinders Indigenous…

In April 2022, Asia Centre launched its Research Hub in Bangkok to consolidate its role as a civil society research institute and publisher of all the Centre’s knowledge products in the Asia-Pacific region. The establishment of the Hub reflects the Centre’s commitment to strengthening its role as a producer of evidence-based knowledge, particularly in the areas of democracy and human rights. The Research Hub focuses on delivering a range of knowledge outputs, including baseline studies, policy briefs, needs assessments, strategic plans, perception studies, programme evaluations and submissions to UN human rights mechanisms, among others. The Research Hub undertakes one-off research…

On 10 December 2024, the Asia Centre hosted the online launch of its latest report, Digital Security for High-Risk Users in the Asia-Pacific: Needs Assessment Report. The event attracted about 50 participants and featured insights from experts in digital security, citizen participation, and technology. Dr James Gomez, Regional Director of the Asia Centre, delivered the opening remarks, highlighting the crucial importance of digital security for rights defenders. He also addressed the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) in human rights advocacy, noting its potential to enhance the digital knowledge and operations of civil society organisations (CSOs).  To this end, he…

Launched in 2018, the Asia Centre Media Hub was established to enhance the visibility of the Centre and its partners’ work by producing and disseminating digital content that highlights their activities and research outputs. As a dedicated media unit, the Media Hub plays a vital role in amplifying the voices of civil society, particularly amid limited mainstream media coverage and an increasingly crowded digital landscape. The Media Hub's wide range of digital content includes podcasts, videos, infographics, and written commentaries, as well as tools that not only support the Asia Centre’s advocacy work but also empower CSOs to promote their…