Open Call Cartoons and Comics Competitions “Cartooning the ASEAN Way of Non-Interference and Consensus”
May 15 - June 15
SEA Junction, in collaboration with Asia Justice and Rights (AJAR), invites cartoonists, comics creators, artists and arts collectives from countries in Southeast Asia to reflect on the future of the role of ASEAN in addressing current and emerging issues in the region.
The COVID-19 pandemic, the coup in Myanmar and autocratic changes in other member states, unresolved geo-political tensions and recessionary pressures have brought attention towards ASEAN, prompting crucial questions on whether it is fulfilling or failing to fulfil its role, and have put a spotlight on regional development and interaction.[1] With growing questions on whether ASEAN is indeed people-oriented as it claims in its Charter and “for whom” and whose interests ASEAN is acting, there is an urgency to promote public discussion on the so-called “ASEAN Way” and particularly on the two core institutional principles of “Consensus” and “Non-Interference”.
Both concepts are today under discussion. Consensus has been seen as playing a positive role in fostering unity among the diverse members, yet it has often delayed response, with some arguing in favour of changing the rule to a majority one to enhance effectiveness. Likewise, the Non-Interference principle is deemed to have given a positive contribution to ensure unduly interferences and promote respect “for the independence, sovereignty, equality, territorial integrity, and national identity of all nations” as stated in ASEAN’s Treaty of Amenity. However, amid a worsening human rights crisis in the region especially in Myanmar and emerging transnational threats, ASEAN has failed to provide protection of its people and ensure the respect of their human rights by appealing to this same principle.
The here announced competition “Cartooning the ASEAN Way of Non-Interference and Consensus” aims to enlist the creativity of cartoonists and comics creators to promote a critical understanding of ASEAN and its Consensus and Non-Interference principles. Cartoons and comics combine textual and visual elements to express ideas and create narratives to communicate ideas, balancing humour with seriousness. We trust that in this way they can draw attention to regional governance and trigger a conversation on steps needed in realizing a people-oriented ASEAN.
Theme
- Reflect on the role of ASEAN in addressing current and emerging issues
- Discuss ASEAN principles of Consensus and/or Non-Interference
- Examine implications of the “ASEAN Way”
Requirements
- Cartoons and comics have to be original
- If in local language, translation in English ought to be provided
- For comics (storyboards) there is a 1-page minimum length
- Maximum submissions of 3 artworks per person
- No use of AI Generated Art is allowed and plagiarism of existing work is clearly prohibited.
Eligibility
Open to cartoonists, comics creators, artists and art collectives in Southeast Asia
Copyright
Copyright of all the content submitted for this competition remains with the respective entrants, with the organizers having the licence to use the content for their activities and social media.
Prizes
For each of the two categories (cartoons and comics or storyboards) the following prizes will be awarded, summing up to a total of six awards:
Comics (Storyboards) Cartoons
1st Prize: USD 450 1st Price: USD 325
2nd Price: USD 350 2nd Prize: USD 225
3rd Price: USD 250 3rd Price: USD 125
Selected artworks will be exhibited in a curated exhibition at the Bangkok Arts and Culture Center (BACC) in Bangkok in later 2024 and published on our website and across our social media platforms.
Evaluation Criteria
Entries will be judged based on the following criteria:
- Relevance to the theme
- Innovativeness
- Creativity
- Analytical clarity
- Aesthetic value
Submission:
Send your submissions to info@seajunction.org no later than 15 June 2024.
Alongside your submission, please provide your name, country, occupation/affiliation (if applicable) and contact details.
For more information or inquiries, please contact us at info@seajunction.org or via our social media channels.
Sketch poster by Asnar Zacky
Organizers:
SEA Junction, established under the Thai non-profit organization Foundation for Southeast Asia Studies (ForSEA), aims to foster understanding and appreciation of Southeast Asia in all its socio-cultural dimensions- from arts and lifestyles to economy and development. Conveniently located at Room 408 of the Bangkok Arts and Culture Center or BACC (across MBK, BTS National Stadium), SEA Junction facilitates public access to knowledge resources and exchanges among students, practitioners and Southeast Asia lovers. For more information see www.seajunction.org, join the Facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/groups/1693058870976440 and follow us on Twitter and Instagram @seajunction
In collaboration with:
Asia Justice and Rights (AJAR)
AJAR is a non-profit organization, based in Jakarta, Indonesia, whose aim is to contribute to the strengthening of human rights and the alleviation of entrenched impunity in the Asia-Pacific region. Its work focuses on countries involved in transition from a context of mass human rights violations to democracy, where it strives to build cultures based on accountability, justice and a willingness to learn from the root causes of mass human rights violations to help prevent the recurrence of state-sanctioned human rights violations. For more information, see www.asia-ajar.org.
