From 8 to 10 September 2025, Asia Centre’s representative – Mr. Sanjay Gathia, the programme manager – conducted a series of Digital Security Trainings (DST) in collaboration with partner institutions in Kolkata, India.In total six DST sessions were conducted over three days. Five were DST End-Beneficiary (DST-EB)  engaging 446 participants, where 169 participants expressed interest in becoming master trainers. One was a DST Training of Trainers (DST-TOT) conducted with Digital Empowerment Foundation, where 46 participants were coached as trainers. The expectation is that each Master Trainer will then go one to  train 30 end-benificiaries fulfilling their requirement as master trainers.The…

In early September 2025, Delhi, India,  Asia Centre representatives - Dr. James Gomez, the regional director, and Mr. Sanjay Gathia, the programme manager, conducted a series of Digital Security Trainings  in collaboration with our partners. While in Delhi, meetings were also set up with new interested partners who are interested in collaboration for DST delivery for their networks in Delhi. Three DST End-Benificiary (DST-EB) sessions were conducted reaching over 150+ participants belonging to the high-risk, digitally vulnerable groups. With 67 participants expressing interest in becoming potential master trainers after completing the training.The participants were youths, educators, members of  youth networks, community leaders,…

Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to transform governance in Southeast Asia, but the uneven distribution of its benefits risks exacerbating inequality, disrupting labour markets and placing additional stress on the environment. To mitigate these risks, inclusive frameworks are crucial. The frameworks that protect digital labour, balance power between governments and technology companies and ground AI in local values and community-driven solutions. This was the core message delivered in a panel discussion hosted by The Asia Foundation (TAF) during Asia Centre’s 10th Annual International Conference “AI and Governance in Asia: Civil Society, Democracy and Media” in Bangkok from 21 to…

Artificial intelligence (AI)’s growing role in shaping elections, governance and civic participation presents both opportunities for democratic transparency, but at the same time, challenges of authoritarian misuse. To safeguard democratic resilience in Asia, governments, media and civil society groups must work together to ensure ethical frameworks and inclusive innovation that proves AI strengthens democracy rather than undermining it. This was the main message from a panel discussion hosted by International IDEA during Asia Centre’s 10th Annual International Conference, held in Bangkok from 21 to 22 August 2025 under the theme “AI and Governance in Asia: Civil Society, Democracy and Media”.In…

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…