Centre news
Asia Centre’s Japan Outreach
As part of Asia Centre’s regional outreach, Dr. James Gomez, Chair, Board of Directors, Asia Centre visited Tokyo, Japan during the first week of October
The Rohingya Crisis: A Long, Tortuous Road to Security and Justice
One year after the start of the latest mass exodus of Rohingya fleeing violence and persecution by the Myanmar Government and military, the prospects of
States have a duty to regulate businesses to protect human rights
Conference Report: The duty of the State to protect human rights and regulate the behaviour of business organizations was the focal point of discussions at
Dissecting the 2018 Election in Malaysia: The End of Cronyism?
The key challenge of undoing six decades of cronyism, patronage and money politics was a central point highlighted during Asia Centre’s roundtable discussion on the Malaysian
Asia Centre announces Malaysia branch
Asia Centre has initiated plans to establish a second branch in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. The new branch will complement and extend the reach of programmes currently
Asia Centre recruits new talent at Webster University’s Career and Internship Fair
Asia Centre had the opportunity to showcase its internship programme at the annual Webster University Thailand Career and Internship Fair on 4 April 2018.
The Rohingya Crisis: Asia Centre Deliberates Solutions to the Crisis at Conference in Bangladesh
Asia Centre contributed to the search for solutions to the humanitarian crisis in Myanmar and Bangaldesh during the International Conference on the Rohingya Refugee Crisis:
Third Annual Benedict Anderson Memorial Roundtable
In discussions on contemporary South-East Asian politics, a gap exists between the growing discourse on nationalism and national leadership and the gendered perspective on Benedict
Asia Centre and Monash University co-host Roundtable on the Rohingya Crisis
Asia Centre and Monash University co-hosted a roundtable on the Rohingya Crisis on 15 December 2017, which was held at the National Centre for South
Ambassador of Bangladesh Highlights Rohingya Crisis in Human Rights Dialogue at Asia Centre
The desperate plight of the Rohingya people in Myanmar was raised by the Ambassador of Bangladesh, H.E. Ms. Saida Muna Tasneem during an address at
Innovative Initiatives for Sustainable Development at UN SDG Week
On Thursday 30 November, Asia Centre participated in the SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) Week organized by UN’s Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the
Innovative Research on Display at Asia Centre’s 3rd IFC
Four speakers came forward to share their research interests in their respective fields at AsiaCentre’s third International Faculty Club (IFC) Night. They spoke on a variety of topics, including
Freedom of Religion and Belief in Southeast Asia: Evidence Based Research in Support of Regional Networks
The challenges to freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) emanating from analysis of the Universal Periodic Review of Southeast Asia were outlined by Asia Centre’s
Check out our new Meeting Space video. Hurry up, space available NOW!
Check out our new Meeting Space video: Asia Centre Meeting Space Posted by Asia Centre ให้เช่า ห้องประชุม อบรม สัมมนา Meeting Room Rental on Tuesday, 7
International Conference On Business and Human Rights (12-13 July 2018)
Registration is Now Open – Deadline for Abstract Submission Extended till 28 Feb 2018
Asia Centre Joins Anti-Death Penalty Asia Network (ADPAN)
Asia Centre is pleased to announce its membership in ADPAN, which works towards abolishing the death penalty in Southeast Asia and beyond, on the occasion
Impact of the UPR on the Protection of Human Rights in Southeast Asia
In its ongoing work on the impact of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of the Human Rights Council on the protection of human rights in
Freedom of Religion or Belief Threatened in Southeast Asia
Reports jointly produced by Asia Centre and International Panel of Parliamentarians for Freedom of Religion (IPPFoRB) reveal serious challenges to religious freedom in Southeast Asia.
Bandung Revisited: Africa-Asia Relations in the 21st Century
The opportunities for greater engagement and exchange between Africa and Asia are numerous and can lead to mutual benefit for the regions. This was key-takeaway
Engaging the Vietnamese Diaspora on Human Rights Issues
Asia Centre, a neutral and independent think-tank, participated in the “International Youth Conference, Vietnam: Pathway to Humanity”, held in Sydney, Australia from 7 to 10
International Faculty Club Gathers Momentum
Asia Centre’s International Faculty Club gained momentum as people gathered for the second installment dedicated to interdisciplinary discourse and networking. Held on 1 Sep at
Business and Human Rights in Japan-ASEAN Relations in the 21st Century
After the Second World War, Japan’s search for a guiding framework for renewed relations with Southeast Asia led to the adoption, 32 years after the
China’s One Belt, One Road Initiative: What Role for Southeast Asia?
The role of Southeast Asia in China’s one belt, one road vision for its relations with Asia, Africa and Europe was the topic of discussion
Conference Report – International Conference on National Human Rights Institutions in Southeast Asia: Challenges of Protection
An effective national human rights institution(NHRI) requires a creative, purposive interpretation of the mandate, and a proactive approach to implementation, this was one of the
ASIA Centre Lectures on Business and Human Rights in ASEAN at Rajamangala University of Technology Phra Nakhon (RMUTP)
Asia Centre’s Dr. Robin Ramcharan delivered a course to students at RMUTP on the political economy of human rights in the ASEAN area, from 3
Asia Centre delivers lectures on Women’s Rights in China
Asia Centre’s Dr James Gomez, delivered several key lectures at a one week course on the Study of Gender and Women’s Rights in China in Shanghai from 3-7
Nite for Rights: A Human Rights Open Mic Platform
Asia Centre’s first human rights open mic night was held on the 30 June 2017 with an audience of about 35 from various backgrounds including
Asia Centre’s Second Anniversary
After two years of operations, Asia Centre cast a confident gaze at its steady growth, program development, outreach and presence in Bangkok. As a testament
Asia Centre Leads Discussion on Human Rights and Conflict Prevention at ICIRD 2017
Applying human rights principles in the development of early warning systems and indicators can bolster internal – conflict prevention processes and mechanisms. This was the
Violations by Businesses Against Human Rights Defenders An Emerging Trend
In addition to States, increasingly the office of the UN Special Rapporteur for the situation of human rights defenders (HRDs) is using its mandate to
Asia Centre Human Rights Briefing for Georgia Tech, USA
Asia Centre held a briefing session on 22 May 2017, in Bangkok, for visitors from the Southeast Asia Study Abroad Program of the Sam
Asia Centre Launches International Faculty Club
On 12 May 2017, Asia Centre launched the International Faculty Club (IFC) with some 40 academics, researchers and graduate students in attendance. The
Civil Society Needs to Innovate to Combat Shrinking Space in Southeast Asia
Civil society needs to innovate if it wants to step up to the challenges of shrinking space, this was the crux of Dr James Gomez’s vision for the
Russia’s Grand Strategy in the Asia-Pacific revealed at Asia Centre
A rare public articulation of Russia’s grand strategy in the Asia-Pacific was expounded at Asia Centre by H.E. Kirill Barsky, Ambassador of the Russian Federation
Asia Centre at Webster University’s Career Fair
Asia Centre promoted its internship opportunities at Webster University’s Career Fair held on 29th March 2017. Asia Centre’s internships, which have been popular, attracted a
Celebrating Women in Law: Discussions on Access to Justice
A discussion on access to justice in Southeast Asia was undertaken by a panel of women lawyers on 29 March 2017 at the Asia Centre.
Asia Centre at FCCT discussion on Human Rights in Southeast Asia
Asia Centre’s Dr Robin Ramcharan was part of panel discussion on the topic
Asia Centre at the Asia Pacific Youth Exchange Career Fair 2017
Asia Centre’s operations as a social enterprise and its programmatic focus on education and human rights attracted considerable attention at the Asia Pacific Youth Exchange
Briefing on ASEAN to Korea University Students
Students from Korea University received a briefing at Asia Centre on Tuesday, 17 January 2017, on contemporary challenges facing ASEAN. Dr. Robin Ramcharan lectured the undergraduates
Benedict Anderson 1st Anniversary Memorial Roundtable
The Benedict Anderson 1st Anniversary Memorial Roundtable was a tribute to the life and legacy of the late professor. Centring on the topic Nationalism, Citizenship
Asia Centre partners with Stenden University to teach ASEAN Studies
Asia Centre delivered a series of lectures on ASEAN and its international relations as the teaching partner of Stenden University’s, Thailand campus. Known as Stenden
Spark Sessions #1
Spark Sessions: An Alternative Networking Event proved to be Asia Centre’s most popular event to date with over 70 participants taking part. This is the
The 2016 US Elections: Change At Last?
On the eve of the historic vote, Asia Centre convened a roundtable to discuss perspectives and predictions on the outcome of the US Presidential Elections.
UN human rights review is largely toothless – but it’s giving a boost to Asian civil society groups
A United Nations initiative reviewing human rights records of countries around the world is indirectly strengthening civil society organisations in Southeast Asia by allowing them
Working with People-Centred Processes: Art, Education & Cross-Sector Collaboration
From October 14 to 17 2016, Asia Centre in partnership with International Forum for Inter-Media Art and Brack organised a cross-sector collaboration workshop. Conceptualised by Asia
Asia Centre Facilitates Focus On Life Discussion
New York-based Japanese photographer and anti-death penalty activist Toshi Kazama held a photo exhibition and discussion of his work on 11 October 2016 at The
Media & Communications Workshop 2016
From 19 to 30 September 2016, Asia Centre held a Media & Communications Workshop for students from the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh. The two
UPR Conference Report
The UPR has been an effective mechanism for putting human rights issues on the agenda and engaging States in conversation about critical issues. However, systemic
Southeast Asian Studies Series – Call for Manuscripts
GerakBudaya and Asia Centre are pleased to announce the launch of a joint regional publications series which aims to focus upon the politics, history and
Brexit: A Failure to Promote the European Union
UK voters were not properly informed by political leaders about the functions, institutions and powers of the EU, which has made a great contribution to
Asia Centre to Focus on Human Rights Policy Analysis
Having established a presence and network in Bangkok in its first year, in its second year Asia Centre turns to its programmatic focus. This will
Impunity waters down accountability in Southeast Asia
The provision of impunity to human rights violators is the biggest challenge for ensuring accountability. This was the general conclusion of the panelists at the
Asia Centre: Regional Representative for Malaysian Publisher Gerakbudaya
Asia Centre has signed a partnership with Malaysian Publisher Gerakbudaya to be its regional representative in Thailand. Moving forward, Asia Centre will commission, edit, launch
Cause Lawyering: Advocating For Justice
Cause lawyers set themselves apart in their profession by using the law as tool for social justice. They protect the rights of marginalised communities and
Entering Femininity: Reporting Rituals and Violations
Entering Femininity: Reporting Rituals and Violations seminar at Asia Centre attempted to open the topic of female genital mutilation (FGM) for a Bangkok audience. Organised by
Authoritarian Instituitions Help Najib Weather 1MDB Storm
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib has survived the fallout from the 1MDB scandal and is likely to continue in power despite the widespread feeling that it
Singapore: A Political Dystopia for Democracy
Singapore is not the political utopia that it projects itself to be. Beneath the veneer, lies a dystopia of political repression, self-censorship and culture of
The Politics Of Conflict
The “Kachin conflict” at its heart is a political one. Even though the term “Kachin conflict” invariably leads to it being framed and discussed as an ethnic
Futures Planning: Charting Asia Centre’s Course
On 17 Feb 2016, the Asia Centre team sat down with Marianne Dutkiewicz, an Asia Pacific Leadership Program Fellow with the the East-West Center in
Debating Imagined Communities: A Tribute To Benedict Anderson
Debating Imagined Communities: A Tribute To Benedict Anderson celebrated the life and work of the late Professor Anderson. Held on 30 January 2016 at Asia Centre
Irregular Foreigners’ Right to Health in Japan
Asia Centre hosted Institute of Human Rights and Peace Studies, Mahidol University student Yasuyuki Kato on 19th October 2015. Kato presented his thesis; “Irregular Foreigners’ Right to