Dear Partners and Friends of SEA Junction,
This month SEA Junction is expanding its programs aiming to soon return to a ‘better normal’. We are now restarting with English events —a panel discussion on public attitudes towards migrants in Asia and the screening of an award-winning Indonesian movie—in addition to the regular Bangkok Tribune’s Dialogue Forum on social and environmental issues in Thai language. In line with COVID-19 containment measures, events are blended with a limited number of participants on site and live broadcast.
SEA Junction is also partnering in a webinar on migrants precarity under COVID-19 and we continue our special initiatives namely the “Staying Resilient Amid the Pandemic in Southeast Asia” small-grant program to support local initiatives to address COVID-19 and its longer-term social and health impacts and the two story-telling series, the first focusing on our experiences in living amid the pandemic, and the second on the unremitting environmental degradation of the Mekong River.
Finally, I like to signal here also two of my articles on social aspects of COVID-19 in the region (to read them and other opinion articles click here) and for those who read Indonesian to learn about one of our supported activities in Nusa Tenggara Barat please click here.
We are aware that with this crisis there are many needs and we all are contributing to various efforts. Still, if you can, please consider supporting SEA Junction as we try to adjust to these uncertain times. To donate is easy, just click the box below and it will bring to our designated website page where you can transfer electronically with PayPal. If you prefer to transfer via bank our dedicated account for our Foundation for Southeast Asia Studies is TMB #043 -7-18114-2. For those in the US, we can provide tax-benefits through our institutional partner. No matter the amount you give, it will help us overcome this challenging time and reconfigure our activities in a way that conforms with the times.
Please continue to follow us and keep safe!
Best regards,
Lia Sciortino Sumaryono
Founder and Executive Director SEA Junction
Program Event
Public Attitudes Towards Migrant Workers in Asia
4 November 2020, 4:00 – 5:30 pm
The panel held in collaboration with Rapid Asia and ILO presents the results of a study conducted by Rapid Asia, which indicates that respondents in selected countries in Asia held unfavourable attitudes towards migrant workers and that support for migrants had been declining in 2019. It also discusses the findings’ implications for societies and migrants in the region. The event will be blended with a limited number of participants on site and live broadcast.
See further: http://seajunction.org/event/public-attitudes-towards-migrant-workers-in-asia/
Movie Screening “Kucumbu Tubuh Indahku” (Memories of My Body)
14-15 November 2020, 4:00 – 6:00 pm
Kucumbu Tubuh Indahku (Memories of My Body) is a 2019 Indonesian drama film directed and written by Garin Nugroho and produced by Ifa Isfansyah. The film, inspired by the life of dancer and actor Rianto, portrays the story of a male dancer who becomes a young performer of Lengger (traditional Indonesian dance), and explores his sexuality. Throughout the film, Garin articulates the concept of masculinity, the freedom of expression among LGBTQI+ and the reaction from the local communities in this particular case in Indonesia. Places are limited so reservations are needed.
See further: http://seajunction.org/event/screening-film-kucumbu-tubuh-indahku-memories-of-my-body-3/
Southeast Asia Mini Book and Craft Fair
21-22 November 2020, 11.00 am – 7.00 pm
Once a month, SEA Junction holds a mini book and craft fair focusing on Southeast Asia. Besides small craft from the region, three kinds of books are displayed: (1) New books given in consignment from recognized publishers; (2) New and used books, double to those in our library; (3) Few literature and development-related works from outside the region that have been donated to SEA Junction. All funds raised with the fair contribute to SEA Junction’s functioning and activities.
See further: http://seajunction.org/event/southeast-asia-mini-book-and-craft-fair-14/
Webinar “Migration, Logistics and Unequal Citizens
in Contemporary Global Context”
25 November 2020, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
The webinar will highlight the urgency of the issue of ASEAN migrant worker justice in Asia under the Covid-19 crisis. Many migrant workers are unemployed, have been forcibly repatriated, stuck in detention centers, contracted the virus without assistance, left without any or limited financial assistance from host countries. Broadcast will be available on our page.
SPECIAL INITIATIVES
Visual Storytelling of COVID-19 in Southeast Asia
This special initiative invites all to make an effort to collectively provide a different visual story of the pandemic in Southeast Asia that shows strength and hope. We are asking for short stories in the form of photo essays, short documentaries and illustrated art essays in any language of the region or in English that document the experiences and realities of COVID-19 in the region.
See further: http://seajunction.org/special-initiatives/#.X0z9qS1h3BI
The Mekong is Blue and Dried:
Visual Storytelling of the Mekong River’s Environmental Degradation
This initiative launched by SEA Junction with the support of the Samdhana Institute aims to contribute to the ongoing advocacy efforts to enhance the sustainability of the Mekong River through the creative use of visual documentation and art. The photos and art works accompanied by a short essay reflect on environmental degradation and its impacts of riparian communities.
Small Grant Program
“Staying Resilient Amid the Pandemic in Southeast Asia”
This initiative launched by SEA Junction with the support of China Medical Board (CMB) and WIEGO aims to provide funds to efforts working to build social capital, strengthen community resilience, improve the living and health conditions of local communities, and enhance their capacity to cope with the pandemic in Southeast Asia. We appreciated the proposals we have received in the first batch of application and are planning to open the second batch in February 2021. Stay tuned!
For information please email southeastasiajunction@gmail.com and phone/wa: +66970024140
About SEA Junction, OUR Venue on Southeast Asia
SEA Junction 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 Centre or BACC (across MBK, BTS National Stadium) SEA junction facilitates public access to knowledge resources and exchanges among students, practitioners and Southeast Asia lovers.
Please join the Facebook group and page & follow us on Twitter and Instagram!
