Understanding Southeast Asia

The implementation of the ASEAN Economic Community in 2015/2016 will have drastic impacts on the socio-economic development and democratization of the ten member countries. This dossier and the lecture series seek to explain current political developments, societal changes and economic trends in the region. Our next focus will be on gender politics.

"If you improve the situation of women, everyone will benefit"

Thida Khus is the Executive Director of SILAKA, a Cambodian NGO that has been working since 1997 to increase the participation of women in Cambodia. Thida will be speaking at the Heinrich Böll Foundation about the situation of women in Southeast Asia.

Refugees and Maritime Movement in Southeast Asia 2015

Refugees in Southeast Asia live in legal limbo and are subject to harassment, arrest, and detention. Especially Rohingya refugees are in indefinite detention and have been forgotten by the international media.

By Julia Mayerhofer and Lilianne Fan

Migration in Southeast Asia

Burmese migrant working on a Thai boat, Samut Sakhon, Thailand

Labour Migration in the ASEAN Region

Migrant workers in the Asean Region live and work under inhumane conditions. To improve this situation policies, the migration industry and the accountability of employers must all get a lot more attention.

By Ashley William Gois

Movement of People in the ASEAN Region: Nomenclature and Concepts

In times of increased ASEAN economic integration the official rhetoric around migration is one of free labour markets, opportunities and exchange. However, there are indications that ASEAN's migration management is in fact a "politics of return".

By Sverre Molland

ASEAN and the AEC

More articles and publications about Asia

"System change not climate change" is written on a sign.

Russia-Ukraine conflict could derail the Climate Agenda

Analysis

The world cannot afford another arms race that will divert resources from poverty, pandemic and climate crisis to defence.

By Chandra Bhushan

Proteste in Tokyo gegen Russlands Ukraine-Krieg.

The Ukraine War: Perspectives and Reactions in Asia

Introduction

This article provides an overview of how Russia's war of aggression on Ukraine is being viewed and assessed in various regions and countries in Asia, and how the governments there are positioning themselves and reacting: in the Southeast Asian ASEAN countries, in Northeast Asia, and in India, China, and Myanmar.

By Shalini Yog Shah and Jost Pachaly

India’s balancing act in the Ukraine war

Commentary

New Delhi's indirect support to the Russian position is not a product of Russian pressure. Neither is it about its genuine belief about Russia’s legitimate interests in Ukraine. Rather, it is the result of a desire to safeguard its own interests, strategic vulnerability and 'non-alignment'- a cultural foreign policy ethos that prevails in Indian thinking.

By Dr. Happymon Jacob

Mitglieder von Peace Boat vor dem Hiroshima Dome

„There are two quite different stories about war and peace in Japan“

Interview

The invasion of Ukraine has shocked Japan. The country participates in the sanctions against Russia. Still, people in Japan look at the war in Europe against the backdrop of security threats in their Northeast Asian region, says Akira Kawasaki, a peace activist with the Japanese NGO Peace Boat. He sees opportunities for civil society action even under current war conditions.

By Axel Harneit-Sievers

G20 Under Siege

Analysis

This year, Indonesia holds the presidency of the G20. During the preparations for the upcoming summit in November 2022 in Bali, how does Indonesia navigate growing controversies amongst the G20 member states concerning the Russian aggression towards Ukraine?

By Yulius P Hermawan

In the wake of the coup: how Myanmar youth arose to fight for the nation

E-paper

Based on 34 individual interviews with youth activists involved in the peaceful anti-coup resistance movement in Myanmar, this paper asks: What are the conceptualisations, motivations and expectations held by youth activists participating in the peaceful 2021 anti-coup movement, and what challenges do they face?

pdf

Perspectives Asia #10: Fabrics of Society

The 10th issue of Perspectives Asia takes a look at how the pandemic is reshaping state/society relationships in different Asian countries; it also shares down-to-earth Covid-19 experiences from different regions and cultures, on issues as diverse as trust in government institutions, the situation of migrant workers, and gender relationships.

Add to cart pdf

Sharing life. The Ecopolitics of Reciprocity

Book/E-Book

Evolving around the main essay “Sharing life. The Ecopolitics of Reciprocity”, all contributions to this assemblage reflect a common understanding that ecology and biodiversity needs to be reclaimed – and constantly generated – as a process of lived and living realities in a system of reciprocal relationships.