Dr. James Gomez: Civil Society-Political Party Partnership Will Strengthen Democratic Resilience
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 (CALD). The event brought together political party leaders, policymakers, and civil society actors, featured leadership engagements, thematic discussions, policy dialogues, and strategy planning aimed at strengthening democratic governance, resilience, and regional cooperation. Dr. Gomez noted that across Asia, democracy promoting-political parties and civil society networks often operate in isolation rather than in partnership. He said that efforts to bring them together are frequently met with hesitation and discomfort from both sides internally and dissuaded externally by others who do not want this partnership to emerge. He emphasised that both camps need to recognise these pressures and actively move beyond this divide to normalise democracy collaboration between civil society and political parties. Drawing on regional experiences, he highlighted that such interactions already occur in practice, with civil society actors joining political parties during periods of political change, including elections and politicians transitioning into civil society roles after public office. These transitions demonstrate that movement between both spheres is not uncommon. As such, he underscored the importance of recognising and reinforcing these “transitons” to establish civil society–political party collaboration as a regular and accepted feature of democratic systems in Asia. Among the key highlights of the roundtable were Dr. Gomez’s three policy recommendations. He suggested that CALD, as a network of political parties, should consider the following: Actively invite civil society organisations to become associate members. Expand its current regional base in East and Southeast Asia to include South and Central Asia. Evolve from a single-donor model to a multi-donor one to ensure organisational sustainability. Dr. Gomez’s suggestions were well received in the meeting and were referred to constantly over the next two days. On 28th March, during the strategy meeting, Dr. Gomez went further to propose a practical approach to advancing collaboration between political parties and civil society. He suggested that if CALD member parties are not yet ready to push forward with associate membership for civil society organisations, an initial step could be to organise a one-day conference or workshop that brings together representatives from both sectors. Such an event would enable open dialogue and exchange views on civil society–political party partnerships, help to build mutual understanding and reduce any existing hesitations. He noted that this type of engagement could serve as an entry point to gradually foster trust and, over time, contribute to normalising closer cooperation and potential institutional collaboration between political parties and civil society. Overall, Dr. Gomez’s key message was democratic resilience can be reinforced through stronger collaboration across sectors, in particular, between civil society and political parties to widen their networks and become a more broadbased movement. Asia Centre and CALD have been formally working together since 2019 since the signing of their first MoU. CALD’s participation in Asia Centre’s Annual International Conferences is well known. From 2019-2024, starting with the 4th International Conference (2019), CALD convened the opening panel on responses to disinformation, while in the 5th (2020), its speakers addressed political hate speech and regulatory challenges. This engagement continued in the 6th International Conference (2021), where CALD participated in discussions on COVID-19, communication, and the use of technology in governance. In the 7th International Conference (2022), CALD convened discussions on political persecution and democratic resilience, and in the 8th International Conference (2023), it further contributed as a panel partner, supporting regional dialogue on digital rights and democratic challenges. In the 9th International Conference (2024), it served as a panel partner on the criminalisation of civic actors. The 2024 conference also marked the renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between both organisations, originally signed in 2019, reaffirming their long-standing partnership and shared commitment to strengthening civic space across Asia. CALD has also actively engaged in Asia Centre’s broader programme activities, extending beyond conferences into research, training, and policy dialogue. In 2021, Asia Centre led the research and co-published with CALD the report “Defending Freedom of Expression: Fake News Laws in East and Southeast Asia”. The report examined legal frameworks affecting freedom of expression in the region and informed subsequent regional engagements. This was complemented by a series of regional workshops on disinformation (September-October 2021), organised by Asia Centre in partnership with CALD and supported by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, bringing together policymakers, legislators, legal experts, and civil society actors to explore both legal and non-legal responses to disinformation. In 2022, CALD joined Asia Centre’s Business and Human Rights training (2022), where CALD representatives joined lawmakers from across Asia to strengthen understanding of international standards and national implementation in the context of democratic governance. In 2024, CALD also participated in Asia Centre’s Digital Rights Programme Regional Meeting, which convened over 60 participants to address internet freedoms, disinformation, and democratic resilience. Together, these engagements reflect CALD’s sustained involvement in Asia Centre’s research-driven and capacity-building programmes. Asia Centre has likewise contributed to CALD’s activities, reflecting the reciprocal nature of the partnership. Asia Centre’s expertise was tapped by CALD to lead discussions on disinformation, AI, and civil society-political party partnerships. This form of engagement began in 2019, when Asia Centre presented its research on disinformation in Southeast Asia at the CALD 40th Executive Committee Meeting in Taipei, highlighting risks posed by fake news laws to democratic accountability. These knowledge contributions formed Asia Centre’s core inputs to CALD-led initiatives, including participation in election observation efforts linked to CALD Executive Committee Meetings, such as the Thailand election observation mission (11-15 May 2023), where Asia Centre’s Regional
Asia Centre’s Dr. Gomez Explains “Civic Power” at 2026 Yushan Forum
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 accountability, cooperation, and democratic engagement across the region. At that session, Dr. Gomez also welcomed Taiwan’s efforts to establish the INGO Hub announced by Charlie Chiang, head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ (MOFA) Department of NGO International Affairs, at the start of Session VII. This development builds on discussions from the 2025 Yushan Forum, where Taiwan introduced plans to strengthen its role as a hub for international NGOs. In this context, Dr. Gomez underscored the importance of Taiwan focusing on Asia to strengthen its Indo-Pacific partnerships through collaboration with civil society organisations based in the region. As a CSO stakeholder, from 16-17 March 2026, Asia Centre participated in the 2026 Yushan Forum, in Taipei, Taiwan, organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ and the Taiwan-Asia Exchange Foundation (TAEF). The ninth edition of the forum brought together thought leaders from 22 countries, focusing on Indo-Pacific cooperation, regional partnerships, and technological innovation. Representing the Asia Centre were Dr. James Gomez, Regional Director, and Kartini Sunityo, Partnerships Manager, marking the second consecutive year Asia Centre has been invited to contribute to the Forum. Asia Centre’s participation at the 2026 Yushan Forum builds on its engagement in 2025. During the 2025 Yushan Forum, Asia Centre contributed to the Think-Tank Forum–Building an NSP+ Think-Tank Corridor, where Dr. James Gomez delivered remarks on strengthening regional cooperation through a non-statist approach. He recommended that TAEF engage more actively with independent think-tanks and civil society organizations working on democracy and human rights, emphasising the importance of partnering with actors that share democratic values. Asia Centre also circulated a position paper supporting Taiwan’s initiative to establish an INGO Hub and expressed its willingness to explore the establishment of a liaison office to help connect Taiwan-based stakeholders with regional networks across Asia-Pacific. At the 2025 Yushan Forum, the Centre signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Taiwan-Asia Exchange Foundation to strengthen collaboration between think-tanks and civil society organisations. The 2026 Yushan Forum provided a platform to advance dialogue on democratic resilience, regional cooperation, and multi-stakeholder partnerships across the Indo-Pacific and beyond. The Centre’s continued engagement at the Yushan Forum reflects its growing role in regional dialogue and its commitment to advancing democratic cooperation, civil society engagement, and partnerships across Asia.
Asia Centre Delivers Digital Security Training’s in Indonesia
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 comments indicate an improved awareness and understanding of both human-centred approaches and the practical application of protective measures, including the use of emerging technologies, when engaging within the digital sphere. During the 2025–2026 programme period, the first Digital Security Training – End Beneficiaries (DST-EB) was held in Jakarta. On 29 August 2025, Asia Centre, in collaboration with Jaringan GUSDURian, successfully organised a national-level onsite Digital Security Training for End Beneficiaries (DST-EB). The session was attended by over 50 young religious activists from across Indonesia who are members of the GUSDURian Network. The training aimed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills needed to identify digital threats and protect their online presence, providing practical insights into privacy, online safety mechanisms, and relevant digital tools. The first Digital Security Training – Training of Trainers (DST-ToT) was held on 30 October 2025 in Bali, in eastern Indonesia, organised by Asia Centre in collaboration with GUSDURian and Institut Sains dan Teknologi Nahdlatul Ulama, Bali. The session brought together 30 participants, including ICT, STEM, and fintech practitioners, youth activists, and indigenous community leaders, enhancing their capacity, including facilitation skills, to deliver inclusive digital security training within their communities. On the same day, a Digital Security Training – End Beneficiaries (DST-EB) was held in Bali, organised by Asia Centre in collaboration with GUSDURian Bali and Institut Sains dan Teknologi Nahdlatul Ulama. The session engaged 30 youth activists and STEM practitioners, equipping them with essential knowledge and practical skills to identify cyber threats and strengthen their online safety and digital resilience. These 2025 activities built on Asia Centre’s earlier efforts in Indonesia. Since 25th September 2024, the Centre has delivered Google-supported Digital Security Trainings to over 140 youth advocates, women’s groups, and civil society organisations both in district and national levels across Jakarta, Yogyakarta, and Bali, including a session incorporating Indonesian Sign Language to ensure accessibility. Partners included Indika Foundation, Law Faculty of Universitas YARSI, Social Movement Institute, SAFEnet, and Yayasan Wisnu. In early 2026, Asia Centre expanded its digital security initiatives in Jakarta. The first DST-ToT session of the year engaged 20 participants from diverse civil society, youth, and community-based organisations, further strengthening online resilience and the capacity to deliver inclusive digital security training. 21 January 2026, Asia Centre, in collaboration with joint partner networks, successfully organised an onsite Digital Security Training – Training of Trainers (DST-ToT) in Jakarta, Indonesia. The session was attended by 20 participants, comprising representatives from civil society organisations, advocates, and independent journalists. The training aimed to equip participants with the knowledge, practical, and facilitation skills required to identify digital threats and safeguard their online presence and accounts, while strengthening their understanding of privacy, online safety mechanisms, and relevant digital security tools, which they can subsequently share with their communities. On 23 January 2026, Asia Centre, in collaboration with Penabulu Foundation, successfully organised an onsite Digital Security Training for End Beneficiaries (DST-EB) in Jakarta, Indonesia. The hybrid session was attended by 26 participants from the Foundation and aimed to equip them with the knowledge and skills necessary to identify digital threats and protect their online presence and accounts. The training also provided practical insights into data privacy, online safety mechanisms, and relevant digital security tools In February 2026, Asia Centre delivered two online, Digital Security Training – Training of Trainers (DST-ToT) national sessions in collaboration with the Ladies in Tech Network. The first session, held on 3 February, brought together 21 participants, including advocates, members of the technology community, education enthusiasts, and representatives of the Indonesian diaspora living overseas. A second session followed on 6 February, engaging a further 25 participants from similar backgrounds. Both sessions were designed to strengthen participants’ digital competencies and enhance their capacity to promote online safety and digital resilience within their respective networks, while enabling them to cascade their newly acquired knowledge to wider communities. On 12 March 2026, a national-level Digital Security Training – End Beneficiaries (DST-EB) session was conducted virtually in partnership with Amnesty International Indonesia. The session was attended by 38 individuals, including Amnesty staff, civil society representatives, activists, and advocates, and focused on equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to identify digital threats, such as scams, and to protect their online presence and accounts. The training provided an exchange of best practices and practical insights into data privacy, online safety mechanisms at the institutional level through Project SHIELD, and relevant digital security tools, including the emerging use of AI. On 23 March 2026, a national-level Digital Security Training – End Beneficiaries (DST-EB) session was conducted in Indonesia in partnership with the Women Church networks, BPD PERUATI JABODETABEK. The session was organised as part of a digital wellbeing workshop in conjunction with International Women’s Day and was attended by 36 participants, including prominent priests, representatives from church networks, and youth activists. It focused on strengthening digital security awareness, with particular emphasis on scams, phishing, and doxing, and on enhancing online resilience through human-centred advocacy within their communities. On 31 March 2026, a hybrid Digital Security Training – End Beneficiaries (DST-EB) session was conducted in eastern Indonesia on Sumba Island in partnership with STT GKS, the Theological College of the Sumba Christian Church. The session, attended by over 90 people on-site and via zoom is 8 participants, including theological college educators, prominent priests, church members, youth, and ICT advocates, marking the first time they had received formal digital security training.
National Convening on Climate Disinformation in the Philippines: Legitimising Attacks on Indigenous Peoples
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 University. Bringing together journalists, civil society actors, Indigenous rights advocates and policy experts, the event examined how climate disinformation operates in the Philippines, assessed its impact on Indigenous communities, and gathered expert and community feedback to strengthen the report prior to its finalisation and publication. The session opened with remarks by Dr Jowel Canuday, Director, Tagpuan Ateneo, who stressed that climate disinformation obstructs constructive dialogue and undermines inclusive engagement among stakeholders. In the context of digital democracy, he stressed the importance of constructive journalism in ensuring that Indigenous voices are heard. Vanessa Chong, Programme Manager from International Media Support went next to situate the initiative within broader efforts to strengthen journalistic capacity in digital democracy, highlighting climate disinformation as a critical but under-addressed issue. This was followed by the opening remarks of Dr James Gomez, Regional Director of Asia Centre, who emphasised that the Philippines’ intense securitisation makes the effects of climate disinformation particularly hazardous. He said, this form of disinformation acts as an intensifier of the deep-seated, structural violence already faced by IPs. The presentation of key findings was delivered by Ekmongkhon Puridej, Research Coordinator at Asia Centre. He identified three interrelated dynamics in the Philippines. First, narratives that credit the state and corporations with compliance to sustainability standards, while labelling IPs as “terrorists”, facilitate the exploitation of ancestral lands. Second, climate disinformation reinforces state-led violence against IPs, including militarisation, forced evictions, red-tagging and extrajudicial killings. Together, these dynamics pose severe risks to Indigenous rights, identity, security and survival. Following the presentation, the discussants reacted and offered comments to the report’s findings. Atty. Faydah M. Dumarpa, Commissioner of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), noted that these findings align with the CHR’s monitoring of disinformation targeting IPs, particularly where it undermines their right to Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC). She emphasised the state’s obligation to establish mechanisms to monitor and counter climate disinformation, alongside strengthening Media and Information Literacy (MIL) across sectors. Atty. Raymond Marvic (Ice) Baguilat of the University of the Philippines College of Law framed the report’s core concern as one of justice. He called for a deeper examination of what justice entails for IPs within a securitised environment, particularly in relation to the impacts of climate disinformation and the appropriate responses to it. Rossine Fallorina of the SIGLA Research Center analysed climate disinformation within broader structural attacks on IPs. He highlighted two areas requiring further scrutiny: the political economy of disinformation, including its role as a revenue-generating activity often sustained by public relations firms, and its operational dynamics, including the expanding role of AI. He argued that understanding the disinformation economy is essential for designing targeted interventions. Jefferson Chua of Greenpeace Philippines examined the increasing prominence of “green” initiatives, identifying the green transition and carbon markets as key sites of contestation. He warned that climate disinformation is likely to be deployed in these domains to undermine FPIC and misrepresent corporate and state actors as environmentally responsible. He also identified the framing of climate mitigation as primarily an individual responsibility as a form of misleading narrative that requires critical engagement. Paco Pangalangan of International Media Support observed that climate change discourse often remains highly technical, neglecting its intersection with human rights and the spread of disinformation. He argued that disinformation saturates the information environment, marginalising the perspectives of IPs and their advocates. He further noted the role of algorithmic amplification and coordinated networks in shaping the disinformation landscape in the Philippines. An open discussion with participants followed, during which critical issues were addressed, including village-level intimidation and violence and community incidents. The prevalence of deceptive consultations that participants experienced were also shared where approval of IPs were fabricated or presented as genuine. Participants also queried how the report findings into on-the-ground strategies to the media does not engage in disinformation. The convening concluded with remarks by Arthur Tanggara from Tagpuan Ateneo. He expressed his gratitude to the panellists and participants for their significant contributions and valuable insights. He emphasised that the event serves as an example of how the Tagpuan Ateneo facilitates conversation, expressing his hope that the discussion on the underreported impacts of climate disinformation will prove useful. For highlights of the National Convening on “Climate Disinformation in the Philippines: Legitimising Attacks on Indigenous Peoples”, visit Asia Centre’s TikTok channel. The published reports on this series thus far includes: Climate Disinformation in Cambodia: Undermining Indigenous Peoples’ Agency “Climate Disinformation in Thailand: Negating Indigenous Peoples’ Identity” “Climate Disinformation in India: Subverting Indigenous Peoples’ Rights” “Climate Disinformation in Malaysia: Appropriating Indigenous Peoples’ Entitlements” “Climate Disinformation in Indonesia: Prioritising Development Over Indigenous Peoples’ Vulnerability” Collectively, these reports examine how misleading narratives distort public understanding of climate issues, undermine Indigenous rights, and shape policy debates, highlighting the regional and cross-cutting nature of climate disinformation. Upcoming final report: “Climate Disinformation in Asia: Trends and Challenges” This report will draw from the findings of the country reports to shed light on the dynamics of climate disinformation at the regional level.
Asia Centre hosts Korea Democracy Foundation’s Honorary Office
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 Alliance Team. The event was also honoured by the presence of His Excellency Mr. Park Yongmin – Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Thailand, and Mr. Seungho Han – Second Secretary, Embassy of the Republic of Korea. Dr. James Gomez – Regional Director of Asia Centre, welcomed guests and highlighted that the launch represents an important reciprocal step in strengthening the partnership between Asia Centre and the Korea Democracy Foundation. He noted that the long standing collaboration reflects shared efforts to promote democratic dialogue, research, and engagement across the region. In his remarks, KDF President Lee Jae-oh expressed his thanks to the Asia Centre and noted that Centre’s existing memberships in various democracy networks makes it a valued partner. He said Asia Centre, in partnership with KDF, could become part of a wider network of institutes working together to promote democratic values and cooperation across the region. Ambassador Park Yongmin congratulated both organisations and recognised Asia Centre’s democratic credentials accumulated over the years through its work. He conveyed the support of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Thailand to facilitate the partnership between the Asia Centre and the Korea Democracy Foundation. Reflecting the diverse partnerships and collaborative networks between Asia Centre and the Korea Democracy Foundation in advancing democratic dialogue and cooperation across the region, also present at the event were Dr. Pandit Chanrochanakit – International Democracy Goodwill Ambassador 2023/2024 of KDF and Associate Professor at Chulalongkorn University, Dr. Akiko Takayanagi – Japan NGO Center for International Cooperation (JANIC), and Patporn Phoothong – Researcher, Education for Peace in Violent Conflict, Salzburg Global, alongside members of Asia Centre’s Research Hub and AI Hub. The Bangkok launch builds on an earlier Seoul launch on 30 September 2025, when Asia Centre established its Honorary Office, at the KDF International Center at the National Museum of Democracy in South Korea. Following the launch, both organisations will be attending the Yushan Forum in Taipei, Taiwan from 16-17 March 2026. They will participate in panel discussions and meetings with the host Taiwan Asian Exchange Foundation. Later in the year, from 2-4 June 2026 both Asia Centre and KDF will be back to Taipei to participate in the East Asia Democracy hosted by the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy. Immediately thereafter, from 10-12 June 2026, Asia Centre will join the KDF Global Democracy Summit, where the Centre will host the Global Democracy Coalition’s Asia Forum on 11 June 2026. The reciprocal establishment of “Honorary Offices’ by both organisations speak to a long standing partnership between Asia Centre and the Korea Democracy Foundation. We can expect both organisations to strengthen and advance their joint cooperation and democratic engagement across Asia.
From Conference to Summit: The Evolution of Asia Centre’s Annual Conference
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 objective: to provide a credible forum to discuss Asia’s complex and intersecting challenges, while facilitating meaningful engagement among international non-governmental organisations (INGOs), civil society organisations (CSOs), the diplomatic community, parliamentarians and other key stakeholders. In ten years, the Asia Centre has convened 754 participants and speakers from INGOs, civil society organisations, political parties and parliaments, media and technology companies and other entities across its annual Conferences. They achieved close to gender parity with a nearly equal gender ratio of speakers, reflecting a strong commitment to gender inclusivity. Geographically, participants represented over 40 countries and regions worldwide. Today, as Asia Centre navigates an across-the-board reduction in development aid funding, it’s now a good opportunity to reflect and rethink the modalities of the annual Conference beyond its 10th year. To start off … How did we get here? Asia Centre’s annual Conferences can be traced across four distinct evolutionary phases, each reflecting shifts in scale, partnership models and focus. In the first phase, between 2016 and 2018, Asia Centre’s 1st (Universal Periodic Review in Southeast Asia: An Evidence-Based Regional Assessment), 2nd (National Human Rights Institutions in Southeast Asia: Challenges of Protection) and 3rd (Business and Human Rights: Holding Governments Accountable in Asia) annual Conferences were positioned as research-oriented convenings, bringing together scholars and civil society practitioners to strengthen analytical depth on democracy and human rights in the region. Conferences were designed to bridge evidence-based inquiry with policy-relevant dialogue. Given their modest scale, they were held entirely at Asia Centre’s Phayathai Building premises in Bangkok, Thailand. These early convenings gradually strengthened the Centre’s visibility and credibility within civil society, INGOs, diplomatic and donor communities. As Asia Centre’s regional profile expanded, the Conference entered a second phase, between 2019 and 2021, with the 4th (Fake News and Elections in Asia), 5th (Hate Speech in Asia: Challenges and Solutions) and 6th (COVID-19 in Asia: Communication, Nationalism and Technology) annual conferences – notable for their growth in size, diversity and partnership arrangements. The 5th and 6th conferences were held in a hybrid format as a result of the pandemic. Civil society-led panels gradually became a focus and a defining feature, enabling INGOs to support their CSO partners to curate discussions aligned with respective conference themes. Participation at the Conferences broadened to include representatives from the media, technology companies, national human rights institutions and parliaments. Across the first two phases, a major output was the publication of conference proceedings, which consolidated panel papers and articles. These publications remain among Asia Centre’s most accessed knowledge products, forming a lasting repository of regional analysis. The conference proceedings can be accessed here. Due to strong interest, selected contributions were further consolidated into standalone edited volumes and formally published. These include: The Universal Periodic Review of Southeast Asia: Civil Society Perspectives (2018), National Human Rights Institutions in Southeast Asia: Selected Case Studies (2020), Business and Human Rights in Asia: The Duty of the State to Protect (2021) and Fake News and Elections in Southeast Asia: Impact on Democracy and Human Rights (2023). From 2022 to 2024, the Conference entered a third phase of consolidation, moving into a policy and practice trajectory, with a strategic emphasis on networking and a more structured partnership scheme. This phase encompassed the 7th (Freedom of Expression in Asia), 8th (Democracy and Elections in Asia), and 9th (Shrinking Civic Space in Asia: Stories of Resistance and Pushback) annual Conferences. During this period, Asia Centre introduced a title partner model, under which INGOs and development partners could support between one and three panels, in addition to other partners who convened their respective panels. This approach enabled deeper collaboration, clearer partner visibility and the production of dedicated partner write-ups capturing key discussions and outcomes. Following the pandemic, the Conferences also returned to in-person formats, reinforcing networking, coalition-building and cross-sector exchange. This period represented the high point in terms of scale, international reach, partnership density and the signing of several MoUs. It also included a growing number of side events, with partners convening their own meetings on the day before or immediately following a Conference, leveraging the concentration of regional and international participants already gathered in Bangkok. In this way, the Conferences evolved into both a platform for dialogue and a mechanism for INGOs to build activities and meetings around. In 2025, the Asia Centre’s annual conferences entered the fourth and current phase, marked by a sharp reduction in global funding for civil society and a hard technology shift. The 10th International Conference “AI and Governance in Asia: Civil Society, Democracy and Media”, held 22-23 August 2025, felt the brunt of the funding cuts with a drop in the number of title partners and participants. Although interest in the conference and topic remained strong, the financial limitations kept the number of title partners and participants small. Moving forward, the learnings suggest a need to adopt a more condensed and regionally grounded model, sourcing newer partners and in-kind support, and with a stronger emphasis on participant-driven dialogue and regional expertise.Taking into account the changing landscape, Asia Centre, as it convenes its 11th Asia Centre Summit “Religious Freedom in Asia: Representation, Restrictions, Rights” on 20-21 August 2026, will be mindful of the new environment as it engages with prospective partners. In ten years, the Asia Centre annual Conference has become a regional convening platform that brings together civil society, policymakers, diplomats, researchers and international partners to address democracy, human
National Convening on Climate Disinformation in Indonesia: Prioritising Development Over Indigenous Peoples’ Vulnerability
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 event examined how climate disinformation operates in Indonesia, assessed its impact on Indigenous communities, and gathered expert feedback to strengthen the report prior to its finalisation and publication. The session opened with welcoming remarks by Dr James Gomez, Regional Director of Asia Centre, who said the Indonesia report is the 5th in a series of 6 country and 1 regional report led by Asia Centre with the support of IMS. Vanessa Chong, Programme Manager from International Media Support went next and expressed thanks to everyone and introduced the work of IMS in the region. The session then moved on with Kartini Sunityo, Partnership Manager at Asia Centre, who presented the key findings from the draft Indonesia report. Her presentation highlighted three interlinked issues in Indonesia. First, the state’s official stance which does not recognise Indigenous Peoples as distinct rights holders, departing from the UN framework by treating all citizens as the same. Second, national development plans prioritise economic growth while overlooking the social, environmental, and rights-based costs to Indigenous communities. Crucially, these dynamics are amplified by climate disinformation, which frames development as inherently beneficial and casts Indigenous claims as obstacles. The discussion featured contributions from Nany Afrida, President of Aliansi Jurnalis Independen (AJI), who highlighted that Indigenous Peoples are often portrayed by journalists as victims, obstacles to development, or through cultural exoticism, and framings shaped by heavy reliance on official sources and limited understanding of Indigenous rights and laws. She pointed to structural challenges such as restricted access to Indigenous communities, language barriers, fear linked to criminalisation and past violence, shrinking newsroom resources, and declining public trust in the media. Sandra Winarsa, Climate and Energy Advisor at the Humanis Foundation, argued climate disinformation in Indonesia is deliberate, political, and structural, rather than accidental. She said, often developmental projects are “being presented as caring” while masking social and environmental harms. Sandra went on to emphasise that many so-called “green” projects, such as geothermal and renewable energy initiatives, are top-down, gender-blind, and rushed, resulting in misplaced blame on communities for project failures. Following that, Haeril Halim, Media Manager at Amnesty International Indonesia, shed light on the criminalization of Indigenous Peoples (IPs) and the role of disinformation in Indonesia. He noted that the report is timely amid deadly floods, rising attacks on human rights defenders, and growing threats to IPs. Haeril highlighted how government-led disinformation often labels NGOs and activists as foreign agents or anti-development, undermining human rights campaigns. He continued that media coverage is frequently one-sided, reporting arrests without civil society perspectives, which can mislead the public into seeing environmental defense as criminal activity. Finally, Devi Anggraini, President of PEREMPUAN AMAN (Association of Indigenous Women of The Archipelago) in Indonesia, said that the government recognition of Indigenous rights remains fragmented across ministries. She pointed out key legislation, including the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Bill, are yet to be fully implemented. She also highlighted challenges posed by climate disinformation, green energy projects, and language barriers, which often prevent Indigenous women from understanding or participating in decisions affecting their land. An open discussion with participants followed, during which questions were raised about the research methodology, media responsibility, platform governance, and the need for stronger collaboration between Indigenous communities, journalists, and policy actors. Among the questions, Intan Febriani, Director International Education and Outreach Pulitzer Center, raised a query about examples of effective collaborations between Indigenous communities and journalists, seeking insight into what an ideal partnership looks like. The question was answered by Devi, who said that the collaboration between Indigenous Peoples and journalists has been ongoing since the beginning when the PEREMPUAN AMAN was set up. By way of example, she shared that PEREMPUAN AMAN has worked with media platforms such as Tempo, Kompas, and Antara to train Indigenous youth, particularly women, to act as credible sources and report directly from their communities. As part of this initiative, mainstream journalists have also been invited to visit Indigenous communities, conduct interviews, and produce feature stories, thereby ensuring that Indigenous voices are represented accurately in the news. The convening concluded with closing remarks by Dr James Gomez, who expressed his gratitude to the panellists and participants for their valuable insights and contributions. He added that the feedback collected during the convening would help strengthen the upcoming report and foster ongoing collaboration among research institutions, civil society, and media actors both in Indonesia and in the region. He invited the participants to review the reports published thus far in the series. For highlights of the National Convening on Climate Disinformation in Indonesia: Prioritising Development Over Indigenous Peoples’ Vulnerability, visit Asia Centre’s TikTok channel. The published reports on this series thus far includes: Climate Disinformation in Cambodia: Undermining Indigenous Peoples’ Agency “Climate Disinformation in Thailand: Negating Indigenous Peoples’ Identity” “Climate Disinformation in India: Subverting Indigenous Peoples’ Rights” “Climate Disinformation in Malaysia: Appropriating Indigenous Peoples’ Entitlements” Collectively, these reports examine how misleading narratives distort public understanding of climate issues, undermine Indigenous rights, and shape policy debates, highlighting the regional and cross-cutting nature of climate disinformation. Upcoming reports include: “Climate Disinformation in the Philippines: Legitimising Attacks on Indigenous Peoples” “Climate Disinformation in Asia: Trends and Challenges” These reports will continue this focus, highlighting the challenges faced by Indigenous communities and further shedding light on the dynamics of climate disinformation.
National Convening on Climate Disinformation in Malaysia: Appropriating Indigenous Peoples’ Entitlements
Misleading climate narratives that support the appropriation of Indigenous Peoples entitlements and distort public understanding of land rights have become a growing concern in Malaysia. These dynamics are captured in the initial findings of “Climate Disinformation in Malaysia: Appropriating Indigenous Peoples’ Rights”, which were shared during a national convening held on 7 January 2026 in Asia Centre Media Hub, Iskandar Puteri. The convening brought together approximately 30 Indigenous representatives, civil society groups, journalists, and academics to unpack how climate disinformation is affecting Indigenous communities in Malaysia and to explore collective strategies for addressing its impact. The event began with opening remarks by Dr. James Gomez, Regional Director, Asia Centre, where he explained that the Malaysia research is part of a wider regional series spanning multiple Asian countries. He said the findings disseminated through reports, media coverage, public events, and policy engagement, allows the research to reach the ground in local contexts while contributing to broader regional and international human rights discussions. IMS Disinformation & Tech Policy Adviser, Paco Pangalangan was next, he emphasised that the research on climate disinformation provides language to identify and interrogate the systems behind false climate narratives. He said this enables deeper reflections about how technology, accountability, participation, and power interact between indigenous people and climate change. The opening remarks set the background for the presentation of the report’s key findings. Asia Centre’s Azieqa Aiin, highlighted indigenous people’s exclusion from decision-making, how they experience forced conversions, displacement, land rights violations, as well as suffer the criminalisation of their resistance to climate change. All of which exacerbate structural inequalities and leave communities vulnerable to climate disinformation. Thereafter she presented some targeted recommendations for governments, NGOs, media, technology companies, and Indigenous communities, focusing on the recognition of customary lands, integration of traditional ecological knowledge, and meaningful participation in climate governance. An active roundtable discussion and Q&A session, moderated by Paco Pangalangan, followed. The panel featured 4 speakers: Shakila Zen, Environmental Activist from KUASA, highlighted the ongoing challenges facing indigenous people such as superficial public hearings, limited access for Indigenous participants, and misleading government claims climate, which mask the true extent of misinformation. Wan Khuzairey, researcher and postgraduate at Universitas Indonesia explained that land grabbing and development projects, often justified as modernization, erase Indigenous history, collective identity, and cultural continuity, while greenwashing and misleading narratives obscure the social and environmental costs. He added that these impacts are rarely reflected in public discourse or media coverage. Rhema from the Orang Asli Welfare Ministry of Rhema City Church Johor, drew attention to the real-life social and economic costs of climate misinformation and development projects. She described how landfilling and relocation of villages disrupted traditional livelihoods and drastically reduced income and eroded cultural practices, with little media coverage or public awareness of their struggles. Prof. Dr. Andrew Harding, University of Reading Malaysia, outlined Malaysia’s legal framework, particularly the National Land Code and the Bumiputera classification, which creates blind spots that allow climate disinformation to persist without accountability. The panel then explored key issues and engaged participants in an interactive question answering session. Among the questions raised were, “Where does Malaysia’s legal and policy framework fall short in protecting indigenous entitlements from being overridden by climate related agendas?”, “Why do the authorities provide basic necessities to the majority population, yet withhold them from Indigenous communities?” along with several other questions were addressed by the panelists. Overall, the discussion highlighted the consistent absence of Indigenous peoples in Malaysia’s historical narrative, from the colonial period to the present day. They are not recognized with a special category, instead they are lumped together under the broad label of ‘others’ (lain-lain), and the speakers agreed that Indigenous communities continue to have very little visibility in Malaysian history. This to some extent explains their marginalised nature in Malaysian society and how any discussion of indigenous peoples rights is often considered “sensitive”. In closing, Dr. James Gomez expressed the gratitude to the panellists and participants for their valuable insights and contributions. He added that the feedback collected during the convening would help strengthen the upcoming report and foster ongoing collaboration among research institutions, civil society, and media actors both in Malaysia and in the region. He invited the participants to review the reports published thus far in the series. The published reports is this series published to date includes: Climate Disinformation in Cambodia: Undermining Indigenous Peoples’ Agency “Climate Disinformation in Thailand: Negating Indigenous Peoples’ Identity” “Climate Disinformation in India: Subverting Indigenous Peoples’ Rights”. Collectively, these reports examine how misleading narratives distort public understanding of climate issues, undermine Indigenous rights, and shape policy debates, highlighting the regional and cross-cutting nature of climate disinformation. Upcoming reports include: “Climate Disinformation in Malaysia: Appropriating Indigenous Peoples’ Entitlements” “Climate Disinformation in the Philippines: Legitimising Attacks on Indigenous Peoples” “Climate Disinformation in Indonesia: Prioritising Development Over Indigenous Peoples’ Vulnerability” These reports will continue this focus, highlighting the challenges faced by Indigenous communities and further shedding light on the dynamics of climate disinformation. Coverage of the event and the report by various media outlets are available here: “When Progress Speaks Loudest, Indigenous Voices Fade”, Apa Khabar TV, January 8, 2026 “Asia Centre Report Warns Climate Disinformation In Malaysia Undermines Indigenous Peoples’ Rights”, TNS News, January 15, 2026 “Privilege over Rights: Appropriating Indigenous Peoples’ Entitlements in Malaysia”, The Diplomat, January 16, 2026
M Ravi: A Decade of Regional Human Rights Advocacy
When Asia Centre announced its opening in 2015, M Ravi was one of the very first people from Singapore to reach out. He said the Centre’s human rights mission aligned with his own, and wanted to engage with the Asia Centre’s regional approach to democracy and human rights. At the time, Ravi was facing intense legal pressure, negative media publicity, internal tensions within the local death penalty movement and challenges to his law practice – all contributing to mixed public opinion on the death penalty in Singapore. In Asia Centre, he sought a respite, an opportunity to extend his networks to the regional level and regain the self-esteem he saw being denied to him in Singapore. Here is a list of his contributions to commemorate his work through the Centre. On 14 May 2016, he spoke at Asia Centre’s seminar “Cause Lawyering: Advocating for Justice”. He urged young lawyers to see legal practice not as technical work alone, but as a public responsibility rooted in ethics and courage. The event also marked the Bangkok launch of his book “Kampong Boy”, a personal account that connected his lived experience with the pursuit of justice in Singapore. Later in the same year, he returned on 15 September 2016, to Bangkok to speak at Asia Centre’s 1st International Conference “UPR in Southeast Asia”. There, he argued for the need to strengthen regional engagement with international human rights mechanisms such as the Universal Periodic Review (UPR). Using the arguments of his presentation at the conference, he contributed a chapter, “The Abolition of the Death Penalty in Southeast Asia: The Arduous March Forward”, in Asia Centre’s edited volume “Universal Periodic Review of Southeast Asia: Civil Society Perspectives” (2018). The chapter provides a comparative analysis of death penalty laws and practices across five Southeast Asian countries through the lens of the Universal Periodic Review, highlighting legal frameworks, state justifications and reform trajectories. It examines how international human rights mechanisms, civil society engagement and domestic legal reforms shape the arduous path toward abolition in the region. M Ravi returned for Asia Centre’s 5th International Conference “Hate Speech in Asia”, 7 October 2020, where he moderated a panel on hate speech regulation and moderation. He noted how laws in the region are often used to suppress expression rather than protect communities. His engagement with Asia Centre continued, this time as a trainer for the 2022 regional programme for parliamentarians entitled “Business and Human Rights in Southeast Asia”. During his session, Ravi worked to equip parliamentarians with practical tools to align national policies with international standards on Business and Human Rights, believing structural change required informed lawmakers. 21 August 2025 was to be M Ravi’s last formal engagement with Asia Centre. He spoke on the panel “Rethinking Technology for Collective Impact: AI in Society and the Path Ahead” during the Centre’s 10th International Conference “AI and Governance in Asia”. He presented his paper, “Southeast Asia’s AI Boom: A Human Rights Perspective”, which called for technology to serve and push the cause of human rights rather than deepen inequality. Before his sudden demise, Ravi had registered to attend Asia Centre’s National Convening on “Climate Disinformation in Malaysia: Appropriating Indigenous Peoples’ Entitlements”, at Asia Centre Media Hub, Iskandar Puteri, Malaysia, 7 January 2026. Over a period of nearly ten years and through his different engagements with Asia Centre, Ravi sought to share his expertise in a regional setting – an opportunity that was not available to him in Singapore. Even with his death, controversy continues to surround his anti-death penalty legacy. Nevertheless, Asia Centre is proud to have supported M Ravi in a small way and recognises his contributions.
SEAFORB Emerges As A Key Platform for Rights-based Religious Freedom Advocates
With the 9th Southeast Asia Freedom of Religion or Belief (SEAFORB) Conference, which took place from 27 – 28 November 2025 in Jakarta, Indonesia, the Network continues to serve as a key regional mechanism for coordination, knowledge-sharing and joint advocacy. Guided by its 2024–2026 Strategic Plan, the SEAFORB Conference brought together 48 members and partners from across the Southeast Asian region and also from certain countries beyond the region to examine emerging FoRB challenges, develop collective strategies, and reinforce solidarity in an increasingly restrictive environment. The SEAFORB Conference is the annual regional gathering of the SEAFORB Network, a civil society–led platform established to promote and protect freedom of religion or belief across Southeast Asia. Since its inception in 2017, the SEAFORB Network have served as a platform to strengthen the capacity of human rights defenders, document FoRB violations, and build cross-border alliances to address rising threats to religious and civic freedoms. The conference program commenced with welcome remarks by Dr. James Gomez of Asia Centre, who also serves as a member of the SEAFORB Network Steering Committee (SC) and Head of Secretariat. During his remarks, Dr Gomez informed that Asia Centre began participating in SEAFORB conferences in 2016, became a Steering Committee member in 2020 and was appointed as SEAFORB’s first Secretariat in 2024. As the Secretariat, Asia Centre supports the Steering Committee to realise the SEAFORB Network’s mission across Southeast Asia and beyond. This was followed by the opening remarks by other SC members, Dr. Nguyen Dinh Thang and Eugene Yap, who both set the FORB context and scene in the region. Dr. Nguyen Dinh Thang reflected on the origin of the SEAFORB Conference, recalling its first convening in Bangkok a decade ago that concluded with the Bangkok Declaration committing advocates to defend individuals and communities facing discrimination or persecution based on religion or belief. Eugene Yap traced SEAFORB’s evolution from a fully sponsored conference in 2015 to an established regional network by 2018, and eventually to a Secretariat structure to ensure better coordination, information-sharing, and support for members, noting that a network cannot function effectively without a dedicated coordinating body, which led to the appointment of Asia Centre as the Secretariat. Prof. Nazila Ghanea, UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, emphasized the vital role of civil society in supporting the UN FoRB mandate, noting that it relies on civil society for reality checks, reporting, and submitting allegations. She stressed that freedom of religion or belief is a core human right, saying it “gives meaning; it’s worth sacrificing everything else for it,” and highlighted the importance of coordination among UN agencies, governments, and civil society, as well as recognizing and accommodating diversity in religious practices. The opening session set the tone and shaped the momentum for the two-day discussions. The first day of the conference featured two panel discussions, two workshops, and group sessions addressing key FoRB issues in Southeast Asia. The day began with the “Reality Check for 2025 & Beyond” workshop, where participants mapped trends and identified the top five thematic priorities. The first panel discussion focused on constitutional, legal frameworks, and extra-judicial measures in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam, followed by a second panel covering Brunei, Indonesia, and Malaysia, with open Q&A sessions highlighting national and regional FoRB concerns. After lunch, the “People on the Move & Transnational Repression” session examined vulnerabilities of displaced persons, refugees, and diaspora communities, while the “National ID Cards and FoRB Restrictions” session explored exclusion and discrimination arising from national ID systems. In the afternoon, participants engaged in group discussions on thematic issues at country and regional levels, followed by consolidations presenting national trends, regional challenges, and strategic priorities. On the second day of the conference, 28 November 2025, participants engaged in four main sessions addressing key FoRB issues and strategic actions. The day began with a Recap and Guidance session, followed by the first session, “How do Blasphemy Laws Implicate FoRB and Freedom of Expression? An Indonesian Case Study,” which examined blasphemy laws, proselytisation, hate speech, and digital restrictions on FoRB. After the tea break, the “Intersectoral Engagements: Building Partnerships for Advancing FoRB” session explored practical approaches to engage religious leaders, media, political representatives, academia, students, and technology partners, identifying opportunities for collaboration and sustainable advocacy. Following lunch, “Action Planning: Identifying Future Actions in the Region” involved group discussions to review past FoRB actions, address gaps, and develop action plans for national, regional, and international advocacy, networking, and capacity building. After a short tea break, the Open Plenary on International & Regional Advocacy Engagements focused on leveraging international and regional mechanisms to inform SEAFORB’s future programming. The Conference concluded with a Summary delivered by Birgitte Moe Olsen, Steering Committee Member. She highlighted key insights, outcomes, and next steps for advancing FoRB in the region. Birgitte reflected on the need to balance universal rights language with local contexts, noting, “Those who are mostly in need of FoRB are those who will kind of lose out if we divert away from using FoRB and the rights language.” She also emphasized that adopting a human rights–based approach is essential to effectively protect the rights of minorities, ensuring that advocacy for freedom of religion or belief remains inclusive, equitable, and grounded in internationally recognized standards. The point being, “if we do not stand for the human rights, the first victims are the minorities”. In the Closing Remarks Dr. James Gomez of Asia Centre, Steering Committee Member and Head of Secretariat, thanked everyone for making the 9th SEAFROB conference productive. He then proceeded to have a conversation with UN Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Religion or Belief, Prof. Nazila Ghanea, asking for her key takeaways. She highlighted that this year’s SEAFORB Conference was energetic, realistic, and creative, with participants proposing imaginative ways to mainstream freedom of religion or belief across society. She added that the discussions left her feeling highly energised. Watch the conversation between Prof. Nazila Ghanea and Dr James Gomez about the 9th SEAFORB Conference 2025 here. Attendees