Unfiltered Voices, Unstoppable Change: Oxfam Youth Assembly 2025 #Nofilter
Introduction Under the theme “#NoFilter: The Asian Youth and Emerging Realities of the 21st Century,” the Assembly provided a platform for young leaders to discuss and strategise around pressing social issues, including intersectional inequalities, climate change, civic space restrictions, and digital justice. The 2025 Oxfam Asia Youth Assembly, held on 6-7 March, 2025, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, brought together 47 in-person youth participants from Sri Lanka and 30 virtual attendees from across Asia. Co-organised by Oxfam, Asia Centre, and DevPro, the event marked the culmination of the 2024 Oxfam Asia Young Leaders Fellowship Programme. The event was structured over two days: Day 1 was a hybrid event, featuring an opening ceremony, three talk shows, and the drafting of a Youth Statement—a collective call to action reflecting participants’ concerns, aspirations, and policy recommendations for social development in Asia. Day 2 was an onsite workshop, bringing together the eight Oxfam Fellows and 25 in-person youth participants. The workshop focused on equipping youth with practical tools and techniques for effective advocacy and social change. Day One Opening Ceremony The first day of the Assembly, 6 of March, opened with a vibrant welcome ceremony, featuring a performance by the Sri Lanka Youth Performers Group. John Samuel, Oxfam Asia Regional Director, then welcomed participants, setting the stage for the discussions ahead. This was followed by a welcoming message from Dr. James Gomez, Asia Centre’s Regional Director, who congratulated the Oxfam Fellows on their amazing accomplishments while cautioning of the challenges that youth programmes may face in the future, especially with the halting of USAID. Tilak Karunaratne, Executive Director of DevPro, reflected on the longstanding partnership between DevPro and Oxfam, emphasising their shared commitment to fighting poverty and inequality. The highlight of the ceremony was a keynote address by the Guest of Honor, Hon. Dr. Kaushalya Ariyarathne, Member of Parliament, introduced by Vishnu Padmanabhan. As both a university lecturer and policymaker, she delivered a compelling speech on the crucial role of youth in leadership and decision-making. She emphasised the dangers of an apolitical mindset among young people, urging them to stay informed, engaged, and passionate about driving change. The opening also introduced the Oxfam Young Leaders Fellowship Programme, showcasing the journey of the eight Oxfam Young Leaders and unveiling a Youth Exhibit, where participants could engage with advocacy materials and projects. Talkshow Sessions: Engaging Dialogues on Key Youth Challenges- Day 1 The first talk show, “Intersectional Inequalities,” featured five regional speakers who discussed various forms of oppression, their complexities, and the crucial role of youth engagement in addressing these issues across different realms. Alanna Inserra, a Senior Social Development Specialist from the Asian Development Bank in the Philippines, kicked off the talkshow by emphasising the importance of youth engagement, and highlighting the need for skills development, mentorship, and financial support to strengthen youth programmes. Lance Dublin, a student from Mindanao State University, Philippines, reflected on what intersectionality means and the pathway to transformative change through the development of policies and programmes that recognise intersecting identities. Bhawana Ghimire, an Oxfam Fellow from Nepal, discussed the concept of gender as a social construct and highlighted the harmful implications of these norms and societal expectations, specifically on young women. Minh Ha Nguyen, an Oxfam Fellow from Vietnam, discussed the widespread issue of gender-based violence in the country, highlighting how the existing punitive system focuses on punishment rather than rehabilitation and fails to address the root causes of the problem. Achmad Zulfikar Luthfi, an Oxfam Fellow from Indonesia, stressed the importance of inclusive and responsible business practices in bridging not only economic inequality but other forms of inequality as well. This session reinforced the urgent need for institutional and financial support to empower young people in overcoming systemic barriers. Talkshow 2: Climate Change and Constrained Civic Space- Day 1 The second talkshow, “Challenges on Climate Change and Constrained Civic Space” featured five speakers who examined the impacts of climate change and shrinking civic space on youth activism. Dr. Thusitha Sugathapala, a Senior Technical Expert on Climate Change and Sustainable Development at SLYCAN Trust in Sri Lanka, emphasised climate change as a pressing issue, particularly for youth, who will bear the brunt of its impacts. He also highlighted the increasing inaction by governments and the challenges young people face in addressing climate change due to conventional top-down, government-centered approaches. Tan Darien, Co-Founder of a youth organisation that supports women and LGBT+ rights in Vietnam called Savour, spoke on his own experience as a youth leader. He noted three challenges for youth-led organisations: lack of funding, lack of mentorship and expertise, and administrative barriers. He advocated for increased funding, expanded capacity-building programmes to equip youth with essential skills, and greater networking opportunities to enhance youth leadership and engagement. Isaura Barros, an Oxfam Fellow from Timor-Leste, highlighted the country’s extreme vulnerability to climate change and that many young people remain unaware of its impacts, despite experiencing them daily. She emphasised the importance of youth-led initiatives—such as educational seminars, mangrove reforestation, and waste management projects—in raising awareness and fostering active engagement among young people. Seena Kimhohiching, an Oxfam Fellow from Manipur, India, shared her personal journey of resilience as a religious and ethnic minority. She delivered a powerful call for international action against the ongoing violence in Manipur, urging global attention and accountability for government officials. Jonathan Gelogo, an Oxfam Fellow from the Philippines, began his session with an interactive activity where participants had stickers placed on their foreheads and had to find their respective groups without speaking. Despite the lack of verbal communication, participants successfully identified their groups, demonstrating the power of nonverbal understanding. Jonathan linked this exercise to peacebuilding efforts, emphasising the importance of active listening, community engagement, and collaboration in fostering meaningful change. The session highlighted the critical role of youth in climate advocacy and the need for more inclusive civic spaces where young people can participate in advocacy and decision-making. Talkshow 3: Digital Security and Data Justice – Day 1 The final talkshow, “Digital Security, Data Justice, and Digital
Shaping Justice: How Media is Transforming Crime Investigations in Thailand
Download The article “Shaping Justice: How Media is Transforming Crime Investigations in Thailand” examines how growing public distrust in Thailand’s law enforcement has led media outlets to take on a more prominent role in investigating crime and exposing corruption. As confidence in the police diminishes, the media emerges as a critical platform for whistleblowers, citizen journalists, and independent experts. Yet, while this shift promotes transparency and accountability, it also raises concerns about sensationalism, misinformation and the risk of undermining formal investigative processes.
Bolstering Youth Engagement in Politics, Governance and Civil Society Needs Concrete Short-to-Long-term Action Plan
Strengthening youth engagement in politics, governance, and civil society requires a concrete action plan spanning short-, mid-, and long-term goals. This was the central message of the “Asia Global Democracy Coalition Regional Forum 2025: Youths, Democracy & Electoral Legitimacy in Asia”, co-hosted by Asia Centre and the Global Democracy Coalition. Held on 4 April 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand, the hybrid forum brought together 33 on-site participants and 62 online attendees, aged 18 to 65, from across Asia representing students, academics, CSOs, diplomatic representatives and research institutes. Sanjay Gathia, Programme Manager at Asia Centre, opened the event by reflecting on key insights from the Asia Centre-GDC forum held on 28 November 2024. He emphasised the importance of regional collaboration to strengthen democracy in the Asia-Pacific, highlighting the need for youth involvement and support systems to combat systemic corruption, address economic inequalities, and foster youth participation in democratic processes. Elisenda Balleste Buxo, Project Coordinator of the Global Democracy Coalition at International IDEA, followed with a recorded speech. She acknowledged the challenges of shrinking civic space and the disillusionment of younger generations. She stressed the importance of placing youth at the forefront of the Global Democracy Coalition, urging the event to serve as a catalyst for collective action. The first panel, “Youth, Democracy & Elections in Asia: Issues & Challenges”, explored barriers to youth engagement in politics across South Korea, India, Indonesia and Thailand. Chaehyun Kim of the Korea Democracy Foundation highlighted concerns stemming from South Korea’s December 2024 Martial Law declaration and subsequent protests seeing a high presence of women and younger generations. Her speech stressed how the South Korean political environment has been experiencing a long-time absence of youth participation due to generational hierarchy, party dominance, and lack of transparency as obstacles for young policymakers. Shelly Mahajan from the Association for Democratic Reforms (India) discussed the disillusionment of Indian youth with politics and advocated for reforms, including youth quotas. Chikita Edrini Marpaung of the Legal Aid Organization for the Press (Indonesia) examined the role of youth movements on social media, referencing the #GagalkanOmnibusLaw hashtag as an example of digital activism. Yosathorn Niamsaing of the Thai Lawyers for Human Rights addressed challenges faced by pro-democracy movements in Thailand, including the overuse of the Thai Criminal Code and concerns about the draft Law on Associations and Foundations. The second panel, “Breaking Barriers for Youth Participation in Politics”, focused on strategies to enhance youth participation, drawing on experiences from Malaysia, Myanmar, Taiwan, Thailand, and the Czech Republic. Jernell Tan of Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM) highlighted the history of student activism and its role in bridging social divides and driving social change, which the young generation in the current age can learn from and adapt. Liliane of Politics for Women, Myanmar, shared examples from the 2021 Spring Revolution, showcasing the lesson learnt from the changing role of women and youth in Myanmar society, including being more active in ongoing resistance movements and applying an intersectional lens to address socio-political issues. Dr. Alan H. Yang of the Taiwan-Asia Exchange Foundation (TAEF) emphasised the learning from Taiwan’s youth activism, which was able to move beyond campus, leading to reforms and the election of young legislators. He also advocated for more comprehensive cross-regional cooperation between youth activists in Taiwan and their counterparts in Southeast Asia. Chompunut Chalieobun of the Westminster Foundation advocated for political parties to adopt affirmative actions to foster empowerment and inclusive policy development for young women MPs. Nadiia Ivanova of People in Need called for safe mechanisms to support, cross-regionally, youth engagement and safeguard activists from repression. In the afternoon, on-site participants formed three groups – those discussing the topic of Youth & Politics, Youth & Governance and Youth & Civil Society – to discuss challenges and propose solutions for enhancing youth engagement. Each group developed short-, mid-, and long-term action plans. The Youth & Politics group identified key issues such as access to education and resources, representation barriers, and political apathy. Their plans included leveraging social media and education reforms in the short term, forming youth groups within political parties in the medium term, and advocating for proportional representation in the long term. The Youth & Governance group highlighted restrictive legal structures, the need for leadership opportunities, and financial constraints. Their plans ranged from training programs for activists in the short term to policy reforms and international alliances in the long term. The Youth & Civil Society group focused on financial constraints, skill development and safety guarantees. Their plans included fundraising activities for self-sustainability in the short term, fostering youth-inclusive community environments in the medium term, and developing self-reliant social enterprises in the long term. During the plenary and future planning sessions, participants shared their action plans, aiming to create a roadmap for sustained youth engagement and democratic participation. The event concluded with a call for collaboration, resource-sharing and consistent efforts to overcome challenges and improve youth participation. View the video recording of the panel discussions here. Asia Centre is a civil society research institute in Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council. It serves as a knowledge partner and undertakes evidence-based research as well as provides capacity-building training for end beneficiaries. If you would like to collaborate with the Centre, please send an expression of interest to contact@asiacentre.org. Follow Asia Centre’s social media channels for more information.
Asia Centre Signs MoU with Taiwan-Asia Exchange Foundation
On 18th March 2025, during the 8th Yushan Forum, Asia Centre signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Taiwan-Asia Exchange Foundation (TAEF) in Taipei, Taiwan. The signatories were, for the Asia Centre, its Regional Director, Dr. James Gomez and for the Taiwan-Asia Exchange Foundation, its Chairman, Dr. Michael Hsiao Hsin-Huang. During the MoU signing, Prof Michael Hsiao announced that the Asia Centre, in collaboration with TAEF and the Advanced Research Center for Humanities and Social Sciences at National Chung Hsing University are jointly planning a conference entitled “The Evolving Crisis of Democracy in Asia: Challenges and Resolutions”. The planned conference will be held at National Chung Hsing University (NCHU) in Taichung, and is scheduled to take place on 28th-29th August 2025. The agreement represents a significant step between Asia Centre and TAEF to collaborate on the Think-Tank and NGO fronts. It also reflects a shared commitment to advancing research and dialogue for democratic solutions in Asia. Following the signing, Dr. Gomez spoke at the session entitled the Think Tank Forum—Building an NSP+ Think Tank Corridor. During this panel Dr. Gomez made two recommendations for TAEF to consider – which involves taking a non-statist approach. First, to engage with think-tanks, Dr. Gomez recommended that TAEF engage with independent entities with diverse sources of funding which tend to be progressive in outlook and are likely to share the same democratic values. Second, he recommended engagement with NGOs that work on democracy and human rights issues as there will be once again more values alignment with Taiwan. During the Yushan Forum, Asia Centre also circulated a Position Paper in which it pledged support for the move by Taiwan to establish an INGO Hub in the country. To that end, Asia Centre’s Dr. Gomez announced the Centre is willing to explore plans for a liaison office to assist the Taiwan government, INGOs, local Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to connect to relevant networks in the Asia-Pacific region. At the end of session 8 – “NGO Forum—Creating an NSP+ INGO Hub”, Dr. Gomez was invited up for a group photo with other NGOs representing the 2025 Yushan Initiative for INGO Cooperation. The signing of the MoU, participation in the 8th Yushan Forum, and future collaborative activities are key examples of the Asia Centre’s engagement with Taiwan. If you are interested in partnering with the Asia Centre, please contact us at info@asiacentre.org.
Social Media: A Double-Edged Sword in Thailand’s Cyber Scam Crisis
Download The article “Social Media: A Double-Edged Sword in Thailand’s Cyber Scam Crisis” examines the role of social media in cyber scams in Thailand through two high-profile cases: the iCON Group case, a pyramid-based investment and sales scam, and the case of Chinese actor Wang Xing, who was trafficked to a scam compound in Myanmar, along the Thai border. These two cases show the complex relationship between fraud operations and digital platforms, where social media facilitates exploitation to lure victims while, at the same time, being used for scrutiny and public accountability.
Asia Centre’s Internship Programme
Recruitment From 2016 to January 2025, Asia Centre’s Internship Programme has hosted 56 interns, with a 1:2 male to female ratio for a total of 187 months. The interns were either undergraduates or postgraduates enrolled at universities in Australia, East Africa, Europe, Southeast Asia, South Asia, East Asia, Southern Africa, and North America. There are three locations that the Asia Centre offers for internships: Phnom Penh (Cambodia), Johor Bahru (Malaysia), and Bangkok (Thailand). Interns will be placed in various locations according to their skills and the project needs of the Centre. Interns applying to Asia Centre begin the process by filling in the online Google application form on the website and attaching copies of a CV, an official letter of university enrollment, and photo page of passport or national ID (for citizens of Cambodia, Malaysia, or Thailand). Following a review of the submitted documents, shortlisted applicants will be invited for up to two rounds of interviews and successful applicants will sign a letter of agreement. Commitment Internships are onsite and full-time, running Monday to Friday (8:30 AM – 5:30 PM) and alternate Saturdays (8:30 AM – 12:30 PM). Interns are expected to arrive 15 minutes before and leave 15 minutes after working hours. The minimum internship duration is 3 months, however, priority is given to applicants committing to 6 months and/or applying exclusively to Asia Centre. Successful candidates must be onsite, fully available, not engaged in other activities, and committed for the entire internship period. Once start and end dates are agreed upon, the duration is non-negotiable. Visas Foreign students enrolled in universities based in Cambodia, Malaysia, or Thailand who are on an Education Visa, have to ensure that their visa covers the duration of the internship if they are applying for an in-country internship. Foreign students who are studying abroad need to acquire a relevant visa prior to being able to undertake an internship at Asia Centre in Cambodia, Malaysia, or Thailand. To facilitate the visa process, successful applicants will receive a letter of appointment, which then can be used to apply for the relevant visa at the embassy or consulate office nearest to them. Onboarding When interns arrive at Asia Centre, they will begin their internship with an orientation of the office and a detailed onboarding process. The onboarding process involves induction conversations with key staff, reading and understanding the details of a number of important Asia Centre working documents. The documents to be reviewed are the following: Induction Guide, Internship Guidelines, Asia Centre Standards, and Workflow Procedures. Interns will receive handover notes to help them settle in and take over previous intern tasks. Onsite Following the onboarding, interns will undertake tasks that cover media, partnerships, programmes, and research. These tasks are connected to the implementation of ongoing projects such as events, publications, media, and social media engagements, and partnerships between external organisations and the Centre. Due to the dynamic nature of the projects, interns must be able to adapt and be flexible in their assigned tasks and responsibilities. In turn, interns have the opportunity to be involved in a number of ongoing real-time projects and through it all, interns will be mentored and coached on the execution of tasks. During the internship, interns will undergo evaluations of their performance. These will be in the form of performance review discussions, which involve feedback from supervisors. The aim is to help interns identify areas of behaviors and skills that need improvement and strengthening. Exit Interns will go through an exit process towards the end of their internship. A good exit process is essential to ensure the smooth and efficient completion and handover of tasks. Abrupt and sudden departures put projects at risk and must be avoided. If such departures occur, the Centre reserves the right to annul the internship, the approved visa, and levy an administrative fee. Under normal circumstances, the exit process begins with drafting a handover document, attending a final interview, completing any required documentation, and returning company property. The handover document’s purpose is to capture ongoing tasks to ensure a smooth transition and continuity across all Asia Centre projects. The final interview with the supervisor(s) includes reflections on the intern’s experience at the Centre and their key learning points. Any documentation needed by an intern’s university will also be discussed and addressed during this period. Conclusion Asia Centre’s Internship Programme offers a well-rounded experience in human rights. Interns are assured of good mentorship and guidance in the implementation of projects and exposed to diverse tasks in media, partnership, programming, and research, providing them with a strong professional foundation. Every office is professionally set up with the latest IT equipment, modern furnishings and good ambience. Applicants with strong English research and drafting skills, social media management experience, and proficiency in design, photography, and video editing are highly encouraged to apply. We are looking for individuals who are committed, understand volunteerism, are dedicated to human rights work, are willing to take on project management responsibilities, and will adhere to their signed agreement with Asia Centre. If you fit the bill, apply for an internship at Asia Centre. Visit our page for the application details: https://asiacentre.org/internship-programme/
Do Thais Enjoy Social Media Just For Fun? Evolving Social Media Trends and Thai Digital Citizenship
Download The policy paper “Moving Beyond COVID-19 Restrictions in Southeast Asia: Pushing Back Against Authoritarian Pandemic Governance” explores how the use of powers by Southeast Asian governments during the COVID-19 pandemic derogated rights. Emergency and temporary laws, as well as special provisions in infectious disease laws, impacted fundamental rights beyond what was necessary to keep the virus at bay. Consequently, control over the population was tightened and democracy backtracked. The paper demonstrates that governments used COVID-laws to amass disproportionate power and over-restrict civic freedoms on four ends. First, strict lockdowns were used to stifle freedom of assembly and protest. Second, anti-COVID measures were used by ruling political elites to limit campaigning activities and ensure that the status quo remained unchanged, partially disenfranchising voters from electoral processes. Third, fake-news laws were implemented to contain the spread of false information regarding the pandemic. Still, such laws were also used to silence political dissent. Fourth, online and physical surveillance increased to track the spread of the virus and, more generally, to track people’s actions beyond the essential to ensure public health. Given these developments, this paper includes a set of recommendations directed at governments, international organisations, and civil society organisations to improve governance in the post-pandemic era so that anti-COVID measures do not derogate people’s fundamental rights. Implementing these recommendations can help prevent and push back against the implications of authoritarian pandemic governance in Southeast Asia.
Youth Movements Need Momentum Building, Support, Say Young Leaders
Providing a platform for 28 youth representatives to share their insights and challenges surrounding young people’s representation in democratic systems across the Asia-Pacific region was the key achievement of the Asia Centre-led regional dialogue “Youth Voices, Strong Choices: Political Participation in the Asia-Pacific”. Co-convened with the Global Democracy Coalition and Club de Madrid on 26 November 2024, the event brought together two youth networks: speakers from the Oxfam Young Leaders Fellowship Programme and the Women and Youth in Democracy Initiative (WYDE) Network of Young Decision-makers, who joined in a hybrid manner. Additionally, representatives from IGOs, INGOs, and CSOs based in Thailand were also present. Having total participation of 41 representatives, the event offered an opportunity for all present to share their views, present their activities, and engage with youth beneficiaries. The event began with opening remarks from Elisenda Balleste Buxo, Project Coordinator of the Global Democracy Coalition at International IDEA, emphasising the significant role the coalition plays in advancing democracy in the Asia region, which, as the most populous part of the world, is grappling with challenges related to democracy backsliding at the same time with youth disengagement from politics. This was followed by remarks from Kartini Sunityo, Programme Manager at the Asia Centre, who discussed the Asia Centre’s work in the region, and briefly updated the participants on the publication of podcasts, social media posts for advocacy and awareness under the #ThankYouDemocracy Campaign, she also emphasised on the need to hear from the youths about their concerns for democracy and democratic participation in the region, and expressed her gratitude to all the participants. The first panel “Youth Voices, Strong Choices: Political Participation in the Asia-Pacific – Perspectives from Thailand”, featured four speakers from Thailand who discussed efforts to encourage youth participation in political and social causes, it was moderated by Fatin Arwaeputeh, the Programme Coordinator at Asia Centre. Prim Maneechot, a Community Organizer from the Daybreaker Network, emphasised the importance of empowering young people with the freedom to initiate and determine their activism. Akarachai Chaimaneekarakate, a Thai Lawyer specialising in human rights, stressed the need to equip youth with legal knowledge and skills to protect them from potential rights violations. Don Tajaroensuk from the People Empowerment Foundation addressed the impact of systemic corruption on marginalised youth, highlighting how the legal system often fails to offer protection due to the way their situations are defined under the law. Omar Nunarnun from We Watch Thailand discussed the challenges young people face in volunteering for political participation. Together, the panellists stressed the need for social activists to reorganise the democratic movement from within and address obstacles to hinder greater youth involvement in present-day politics. The second panel “Youth Voices, Strong Choices: Political Participation in the Asia-Pacific – Perspectives from Young Leaders in the Region”, featured three speakers from South Asia, it was moderated by Ekmongkhon Puridej, Researcher at Asia Centre. Young leaders from across the region reflected on the similarities and differences between their communities and Thailand. Vishnuvardhanan Padmanabhan, a Young Leader from Sri Lanka, reflected on the recent surge in youth mobilization through protests, which led to unprecedented youth engagement in the elections earlier in November. This movement mirrors the power of youth seen in Thai youth movements. However, sustaining this momentum remains a challenge. He advocated for inclusive initiatives that reach rural communities and economically disadvantaged groups. Bhawana Ghimire, a legal activist from Nepal, highlighted the lack of representation from working-class and marginalized communities. She also emphasised on the structural economic and political barriers that hinder youth participation in Nepal’s economic and political spheres. This issue, similar to those discussed by the first panelist, resonates with the challenges faced by Thai activists. Seena Kimhoiching, a young ethnic tribal advocate from northeast India, focuses on vulnerable rights. She emphasised on the critical role of student movements and civil society collaborations in fostering collective action. She highlighted a growing shift in youth engagement, driven by dissatisfaction with governance, and emphasized the critical role of student movements and civil society collaborations in fostering collective action. Lastly, the third panel “Building the Capacity of Youth Programmes by Understanding their Concerns”, featured three regional speakers, it was moderated by Kartini Sunityo, Programme Manager at Asia Centre. The panel brought together organisations those who have initiated and implemented youth capacity-building programs for the participants to hear how such programs can be further improved to foster youth political participation. Kewalin Sa-ngapet from the Friedrich Naumann Foundation in Thailand stressed the importance of making youth programs inclusive, ensuring access for all young people, regardless of their economic background, gender, or education level, and fostering equal opportunities Jo-Anna Henley from the Women and Youth in Democracy Initiative (WYDE) Network of Young Decision-makers in Malaysia highlighted the challenges of youth activism, particularly burnout, and emphasised the need for sustainable programs with long-term support to maintain momentum in political movements. Tyler Esch from the International Republican Institute in Thailand reflected on the success of capacity-building programs, noting how networks among youth advocates have facilitated collaboration and sustained political engagement, underscoring the importance of nurturing these connections for continued advocacy and action. All in all, the regional dialogue “Youth Voices, Strong Choices: Political Participation in the Asia-Pacific” provided an invaluable platform for young people to engage in discussions about enhancing youth political participation across the Asia-Pacific region. The event highlighted critical issues such as the need for inclusivity in youth programs, ensuring equal opportunities for all young people regardless of their background, and fostering long-term, sustainable support for youth movements to prevent burnout. Participants emphasised the importance of regional collaboration, with young leaders sharing their diverse experiences and challenges while working to influence political processes in their respective communities. This exchange of ideas underscored the shared commitment to strengthening youth involvement in decision-making and promoting democratic processes in the region. The regional dialogue also demonstrated the importance of building strong networks and capacity-building programs to sustain youth engagement in political action, including empowering young people with knowledge, skills, and support systems
From Chiang Mai, Thailand to Empowering Women & Girls in ASEAN: How One Pair of Youth Volunteers Inspires Youth-Led Cross-Border Collaboration for an Empathetic Social Inclusion Movement
The JUSTYouth Programme, an initiative designed by Asia Centre with support from the ASEAN Foundation in partnership with Maybank Foundation, brought together nine passionate young volunteers from across Southeast Asia between July and October 2024. These volunteers collaborated with community-based organisations in Chiang Mai, Thailand, addressing critical social issues such as gender inequality in education and child rights. The programme provides an experiential learning platform that empowers youth to engage in social volunteerism, build leadership skills, and foster cross-cultural collaboration. In the programme’s fourth cohort, nine volunteers from nine ASEAN countries each contributed to local development and social change in their unique ways. Situated in the vibrant city of Chiang Mai, a regional hub for many CSOs and INGOs due to its proximity to neighbouring countries, two exceptional young volunteers, Pran Kittivirapat from Thailand and Alya Nur Azizah from Indonesia, embarked on transformative journeys through the JUSTYouth Programme during their two-week field residence from August 6-20, 2024. Their mission was not only to deepen their understanding of complex social issues but also to inspire their peers to advocate for justice and equality. Through their work, Pran and Alya embodied the essence of the EYAA Programme, demonstrating leadership, collaboration, and a commitment to social inclusion. A Shared Vision for Impact Pran, an engineering student from Bangkok, Thailand, joined the programme with a deep desire to connect with local communities and gain hands-on experience addressing the challenges they face. His particular focus was on women’s empowerment, and he hoped to contribute meaningfully to initiatives that uplift marginalised voices. “I wanted to be part of something meaningful,” Pran shared, reflecting on his motivation to make a tangible difference. Alya, a final-year Business Management student from East Java, Indonesia, was inspired by her family’s cooperative background and her passion for social entrepreneurship. Her goal was to explore how cooperative models could be used to address gender equality at the grassroots level. “I wanted to dive deeper into social issues, especially gender equality,” she explained, recognising the urgency of tackling these challenges directly within communities. Despite having no prior formal training in social sciences, their time in Chiang Mai proved to be a steep yet rewarding learning curve for both Pran and Alya. They navigated the complexities of community engagement, social inclusion advocacy, and collaboration with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs). Pran, as the only Thai member in a diverse international team, faced logistical challenges, especially when coordinating with local partners like Greenhouse, a community space supporting media allies, including female journalists from minority communities. “We had to adapt quickly, but that taught me valuable problem-solving skills,” Pran noted. Alya, who was new to gender advocacy, was inspired by the work of local NGOs already tackling pressing gender-related issues. “Seeing their impact made me realise how crucial advocacy is,” she remarked. Their shared commitment to social inclusion deepened as they recognised the power of community-led efforts in driving systemic change. Contributing to the Community As part of their work, Pran and Alya collaborated with Greenhouse to organise the onsite “JUSTYouth Sharing Session“ — a youth-led forum focused on addressing issues affecting women and girls within the ASEAN region. The session featured stories and case studies drawn from Thailand, Myanmar, Malaysia, Brunei, and other ASEAN countries, with participants based in Chiang Mai. This platform enabled local voices to discuss key social issues alongside all youth volunteers involved in the project, as well as other collaborators and supporters from diverse organisations. The volunteers also made connections and formed friendships with local leaders and individuals they met during their field residency. Topics discussed included gender inequality, youth empowerment, and other pressing regional concerns. In their roles, Pran and Alya were deeply involved in managing logistics, engaging with local communities, and inviting expert speakers, which helped facilitate meaningful dialogue. Before the event, the volunteers also engaged with two representatives from Maybank Thailand, gaining insights into the corporate sector’s role in supporting community initiatives. Social media played a crucial role in amplifying the programme’s impact. The volunteers shared powerful videos on platforms like Instagram (@justyouth_eyaa), showcasing the empowerment journeys of women and youth leaders from organisations such as the BEAM Education Foundation. These videos garnered attention on International Youth Day, inspiring others to embrace volunteerism and advocate for social inclusion. The JUSTYouth Sharing Session brought together prominent speakers and local participants, fostering in-depth discussions on issues such as gender equality and youth leadership. Pran took charge of event logistics, ensuring smooth operations, while Alya focused on outreach, encouraging local leaders to share their experiences. “It was incredible to see how these young leaders were shaping the future of their communities,” Alya reflected on the forum’s success. Engaging with Local Leaders A critical aspect of their journey was connecting with influential local leaders who are already driving social change. One such leader was Wirawan (Boom) Mosby, founder of The HUG Project Thailand, an organisation focused on child protection and the fight against sexual exploitation. Pran, Alya, and other YVs were so inspired that during the regional workshop in Bangkok, prior to the field programme, they decided to use Khun Boom’s work as an aspiration for their project and integrated it into their pitch with Asia Centre’s team during the regional workshop. Boom’s dedication to empowering women and youth, particularly through trauma-informed approaches, left a lasting impact on both Pran and Alya. During an online forum, Boom shared powerful insights into women’s leadership and the need to address the root causes of inequality. “Boom’s story exemplifies how empathy and sincerity can drive social inclusion,” Pran noted, highlighting the importance of community-based leadership in addressing complex societal issues. The Empowering “She Speaks” Forum Another significant milestone in their journey was their involvement in organising the “She Speaks: A Collective for Empowering Youths Across Southeast Asia” online forum, held on October 26, 2024. The event focused on amplifying the voices of women leaders and showcasing their achievements across the region. Pran once again led logistical coordination, while Alya took the opportunity to emphasise the importance of empowering young women to take on leadership roles. “It
Asia Centre Hosts Digital Rights Programme for Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) Regional End-of-Programme Meeting
Spanning a day and a half, the End-of-Programme Meeting for the “Digital Rights Programme for Civil Society Organisations” was held from 25 to 26 October 2024 in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. It marked the culmination of a year-long initiative focused on enhancing the understanding and advocacy of digital rights among Civil Society Organisations (CSO)s. The meeting brought together over 60 participants and included CSO representatives from European Values Center for Security Policy, Japan NGO Center for International Cooperation (JANIC), Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD), Hashtag Generation, Digital Rights Nepal, Southeast Asia Freedom of Expression Network(SAFEnet), Cambodian Centre for Independent Media (CCIM), ENGAGE Malaysia, Karyasama, The Independent Singapore and academics working online regulation issues from University of Reading Malaysia, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Universiti Utara Malaysia, University of Dhaka, Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology and students from the School of Law, University of Reading Malaysia. Day 1 was held at the School of Law, University of Reading Malaysia (UoRM) and featured an MoU signing ceremony with CSO partners, three-panel discussions and one workshop on digital security in the Asia Pacific. Dr James Gomez, Regional Director of Asia Centre opened the event by highlighting Asia Centre’s partnership with Google through the years. He noted the partnership has helped improve the digital literacy of users in the region, with outputs such as the publication of the report on youth and disinformation in Malaysia in 2022 to the delivery of the ASEAN Digital Literacy Programme Training of Trainers in 2022 to 2023 in Malaysia and Thailand, and the current Digital Rights Programme for CSOs in 2024, as well as the ongoing Digital Security Training which is currently being delivered right through to February 2025. Dr. Gomez’s remarks were followed by a short speech from Associate Professor Anne Vergis, Head of Law, UoRM. Prof Vergis emphasised the importance of convening such gatherings in bringing together participants from various backgrounds and expertise to learn from one another and gather insights on how grassroots advocacy is impacted by laws to regulate developments in digital technology. The opening session was followed by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony between Asia Centre and four CSO partners; Digital Rights Nepal, Hashtag Generation, Southeast Asia Freedom of Expression Network (SAFEnet) and European Values Center for Security Policy. The MoUs are part of eight MoUs the Centre has signed with key partners throughout the Google supported programme to strengthen CSO partnership to advance digital rights in the region. The first session, titled “A Year in Review: The Digital Landscape in 2024”, examined how various Asian governments have used new and existing laws to regulate criticism of public policies. In Singapore, the use of POFMA was noted as a tool to restrict dissent, while Sri Lanka has faced public outcry over its internet shutdowns and restrictive digital laws. Cambodia’s low digital literacy and increasing notoriety for online scams complicate citizens’ awareness of government censorship, which targets grassroots activists and journalists. Japan’s new cyber laws aim to curb cybercrime and improve the effective handling of cyber threats but raise concerns about potential misuse against critics, and Taiwan uniquely contends with Chinese interference through disinformation and cyberattacks. Across these countries, the panellists noted that digital advancements have opened public discourse, however governments have acted to control and monitor online spaces. The second session “The Key Developments in Online Regulation in the Region” was an opportunity for panellists to recount how civil society organisations (CSOs) in Asia, with limited digital literacy, data vulnerabilities, and technical ability are being subjected to state manipulation. It was noted that governments across the region are increasingly enacting restrictive digital laws, leveraging social media to shape public opinion, and employing harassment tactics against critics. Despite these pressures, grassroots activists have effectively used online platforms to amplify their voices, while some platforms resist demands to compromise user privacy. Panellists’ recommendations focused on enhancing CSOs’ digital literacy and cybersecurity, promoting balanced regulations that protect both security and freedom of expression, and encouraging platforms to uphold user privacy amidst regulatory pressures. The third session of Day 1 was used to deliver a Digital Security Training, starting with an overview of digital threats facing CSOs in the Asia Pacific region. This was followed by an interactive discussion on identifying various ways of protecting individuals and organisations through different tools and digital hygiene practices. Participants shared personal and organisational experiences as victims of scams and phishing, and they expressed concerns about how to enhance digital resilience among the general public as technology evolves rapidly. The last session of Day 1 was a panel on Malaysia on the theme “Holding Tech Companies Accountable”. The panellists emphasised that while tech companies should be accountable for the digital harm on their platforms, responsibility must be shared among users, creators, legislators, and enforcers to maintain a balanced digital ecosystem and avoid over-regulation that could restrict free expression. There was a strong consensus in the room on the need for comprehensive digital literacy and education, especially for young users, as blanket bans on underage access are ineffective. Finally, the panel highlighted challenges in regulating international actors who spread disinformation and navigating vague state laws that grant broad investigative powers, often restricting dissent and enforcing compliance in digital spaces. Day 2 was convened at the Asia Centre Media Hub with two sessions reflecting on the outcomes of the year-long initiative. Session 1, “Revisiting the Project’s Impact”, reflected on the programme’s efforts to establish a regional network and enable resource creation, joint UN report submissions and capacity building. Participants agreed that the network established by the programme now forms a solid foundation of trust to engage in joint advocacy efforts and encourages CSOs from this network to undertake joint future activities. In the final session, “What’s Next?”, participants reflected on the future challenges and directions for digital rights advocacy. Four major issues were identified: misinformation; AI deepfakes; excessive regulation in digital spaces; and foreign interference through coordinated inauthentic behaviour, as critical challenges to address in the digital rights