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

An Inflation Tale in Two Countries

Analysis

At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, the global community anticipated a recession as a result of industry closures. However, COVID-19 has only been one of many factors contributing to a wider economic slowdown of late. Thailand and the Philippines have both recorded rising inflation, but are on divergent paths in managing it for their populations.

By Eunice Barbara C. Novio

On Martial Law at 50: Fact-Checking the Marcos Story, Countering the EDSA History

Analysis

To fact-check and counter the historical denialism of the Marcos family, there is need for a counterfactual history analysis of the failings of the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution.

By Bonn Juego

Ein Mann fährt mit seinem Fahrrad auf einer Straße.

One year into the Taliban’s second rule

Interview

It has been one year since the Taliban took over in Afghanistan in August 2021. Following the announcement of the final withdrawal of international forces, the Taliban’s fast expanse from the provinces to the capital took everyone by surprise. Twelve months after the traumatic events, the situation on the ground has further deteriorated.

By Sarah Weiss

"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

Coal, Capital and Conflicts

Series on Ecology

The study by Asia expert Dieter Reinhardt shows why the construction of this coal-fired power plant is an exemplary anachronism: it prevents the expansion of renewable energies, which is necessary because of climate change and for which Bangladesh has the potential; and it weakens coastal protection, which should have priority in view of rising sea levels.

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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.

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Understanding Southeast Asia

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

Refugees and Maritime Movement in Southeast Asia 2015

Labour Migration in the ASEAN Region

Movement of People in the ASEAN Region: Nomenclature and Concepts

Southeast Asia: Regionalism of the Commons

ASEAN Economic Integration and Sustainable Urbanisation

Environmental Protection in the Post-2015 ASEAN Economic Community

The Political Economy of the ASEAN Regionalisation Process

An Inflation Tale in Two Countries

On Martial Law at 50: Fact-Checking the Marcos Story, Countering the EDSA History

One year into the Taliban’s second rule

Russia-Ukraine conflict could derail the Climate Agenda

The Ukraine War: Perspectives and Reactions in Asia

Coal, Capital and Conflicts

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

Perspectives Asia #10: Fabrics of Society