Fragmentation in collaboration and uneven access to digital knowledge continue to shape how civil society organisations (CSOs) in the Southern Region engage with issues of digital democracy and civic space. Despite a diverse ecosystem of grassroots organisations, indigenous groups, independent media, and youth initiatives, limited coordination and knowledge-sharing mechanisms have constrained sustained and collective engagement. These dynamics were explored during the convening “Establishing a Southern Region CSO Network’, held on 23 May 2026 at the Asia Centre Media Hub in Iskandar Puteri, Johor, Malaysia. The convening brought together approximately 40 participants from civil society organisations, community-based groups, independent media, advocacy…

Asia Centre has played an active role in advancing digital security and online resilience across East Asia for 91 participants, working in close collaboration with a diverse range of partners, including democracy foundations, universities, media institutions, and regional learning platforms. The aim of the digital security initiative was to strengthen the capacity of activists, youth leaders, journalists, and emerging advocates to navigate digital spaces safely. At the end, all participants were able to enhance their awareness of online risks including those linked to artificial intelligence, and promote secure and informed digital participation across diverse communities.Digital Security Training (DST) sessions were…

Building and sustaining civic space requires more than advocacy, it depends on how civil society tells its stories. In an era shaped by information overload, misinformation, digital risk, and shrinking freedoms, narratives play a critical role in shaping public understanding and strengthening collective action. These ideas were explored during the CIVICUS-Asia Centre’s co-convening of  Building Pro-Civic Space Narratives: Communicators for Civic Action, held from 21 to 24 April 2026 in Ibis Riverside Hotel Bangkok, Thailand. The convening brought together 14 representatives from the Asian civil society organisations, communicators, and activists to strengthen their narrative strategies and amplify grassroots voices, drawn from…

In his remarks on “Sources of Democratic Resilience in Asia,” Asia Centre’s Regional Director, Dr. James Gomez, underscored the role of civil society as a key pillar in sustaining democratic systems and said this is best done in partnership with democracy supporting political parties. He made this point during the Policy Roundtable on Democratic Resilience in Southeast and East Asia, as a speaker in Panel I: “Analyzing Democratic Resilience: Sources and Challenges,” on 27 March 2026. From 26 to 28 March 2026 in Manila, Philippines, Dr. Gomez participated in a multi-day programme convened by the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats…

On 17 March at the 2026 Yushan Forum, Asia Centre’s Regional Director, Dr. James Gomez expounded on the concept of “civic power” (view the TikTok video) as the critical voice of civil society that speaks out when democratic processes are challenged during Session VII: NGO Corridor-Mobilizing Civic Power to Connect Free Societies.He further elaborated that civil society has a central role as the “heartbeat of democracy” and serves as an important barometer of democratic resilience. Hence, from the Asia Centre’s perspective, there is a need to strengthen regional networks and support civil society organisations (CSOs) as key actors in advancing…

Asia Centre has played an active role in advancing digital security and online resilience in Indonesia, working in close collaboration with a diverse range of partners, including civil society organisations, non-governmental organisations, learning centres, community-based platforms, and underrepresented groups. Its initiatives seek to empower youth advocates, women’s groups, and other stakeholders to navigate digital spaces safely, promote online safety, and counter cyber threats, thereby fostering inclusive and secure digital participation across communities.These activities, initiated in 2024 in partnership with Google Asia and the Pacific and sustained throughout 2025 into early 2026, have received encouraging feedback from partners and participants. Key…

In the Philippines, attacks against Indigenous Peoples (IPs) are increasingly legitimised by climate disinformation which falsely labels their environmental defence as terrorism, enabling the continued use of ancestral lands for industrial expansion.This was the central finding presented at a national convening reviewing the preliminary outcomes of Asia Centre’s forthcoming report Climate Disinformation in the Philippines: Legitimising Attacks on Indigenous Peoples. Attended by over 70 people, the convening took place on 24 March 2026 and was organised by Asia Centre, in partnership with International Media Support (IMS) and the Center for Dialogue, Research and Collaboration (Tagpuan Ateneo) at Ateneo de Manila…

On 13 March 2026, Asia Centre hosted the launch of the Honorary Office of the Korea Democracy Foundation (KDF) at its Research Hub in Bangkok, Thailand. It completed the reciprocal establishment of honorary offices by the Asia Centre and the Korea Democracy Foundation as both organisations mark a new phase in their cooperation to advance democratic dialogue and regional collaboration across Asia. In attendance was the delegation from KDF, which included Mr. Lee Jae-oh – President of KDF, Mr. Lee Young-je – Director of the Exchange and Cooperation Office at KDF, and Mr. Kim Chanho – Team Leader of the Global…

Over the past decade, from 2016 to 2025, Asia Centre’s annual conferences have evolved from a modest gathering of researchers and civil society actors into one of the region’s regular convening platforms on democracy and human rights.Having completed 10 impactful years of conference convening, the Asia Centre annual conference now enters a new chapter. Beginning with its 11th edition, the annual Conference will be rebranded as the Asia Centre Summit – marking a significant step forward in institutionalising the annual Conference as a leading regional forum for dialogue and collaboration.Needless to say, the Summit will remain guided by a consistent…

Indigenous Peoples’ (IPs) vulnerabilities in Indonesia are being exacerbated by climate disinformation that prioritises national development narratives over Indigenous rights and knowledge systems. This was the central finding presented at a national convening reviewing the preliminary outcomes of Asia Centre’s forthcoming report, “Climate Disinformation in Indonesia: Prioritising Development Over Indigenous Peoples’ Vulnerability”. Attended by nearly 40 people, the event took place on 21 January 2026 at Aloft Jakarta Wahid Hasyim Hotel, Jakarta. The convening was organised by Asia Centre in partnership with International Media Support (IMS) and brought together journalists, civil society actors, Indigenous rights advocates, and policy experts. The…