Dear Partners and Friends of SEA Junction,
Last month, we successfully held the photo exhibition “The Mekong is Blue and Dried” to advocate for the Mekong River’s deteriorating ecosystem. It was accompanied with the panel discussion during the launch and Media Talk (in Thai) during the weekend. For those who missed it, you can find the executive summary of the first event on Bangkok Tribune News and both events are available to watch on our Facebook.
We also launched the first online event of the series #WhatsHappeninginMyanmar Bi-Weekly Updates in collaboration with The Irrawaddy to contribute to greater understanding of the current situation in Myanmar for informed action in support of the democratic movement in Myanmar and beyond. The discussion is available on our website and the next update will be on 8 April 2021, as you can find more information below.
To start this month, on 3 April, we are partnering with Human Rights Watch to discuss on Thailand’s most recent draft laws to ramp up oversight of non-government organizations and its serious implications on civil society. We will also run our monthly Southeast Asia Mini Book and Craft Fair at the end of the month.
We hope you will find our monthly program of interest. We count on your participation and help in sharing the information about our events with your network. And, if you would like to support us, please click on the donation box below. Lastly, as Songkran in Thailand and solar New Year in many Southeast Asia cultures are approaching, we wish you all good health and abundant happiness!
Best regards,
Lia Sciortino Sumaryono
Founder and Executive Director SEA Junction
EVENT PROGRAM
Regulating — or Ruling — Civil Society in Thailand?
3 April 2021, 05:00 pm – 06:30 pm
Co-organized by Human Rights Watch, the panel discussion will provide an overview on on the ‘Operation of Not-for-Profit Organisations’ and ‘Promotion and Development of Civil Society Organisations’ including the potential impacts on civic space. The blended event, part of a series of events initiated in 2019 on the role of civil society in Southeast Asia, will be broadcast on FB live. On site there is place for a limited number of participants on a first come, first served basis.
See further: http://seajunction.org/event/regulating-or-ruling-civil-society-in-thailand/
2nd #WhatsHappeninginMyanmar Bi-Weekly Updates
8 April 2021, 03:00 pm – 04:00 pm
The Irrawaddy and SEA Junction have joined together to provide bi-weekly updates on the latest developments in Myanmar. Every two weeks over the next three months, The Irrawaddy’s Founder and Editor-in-Chief Aung Zaw will provide an analysis of the latest events for about 20 minutes before opening the floor for questions and answers. The 1-hour-long Updates will be moderated by our Founder and Director Rosalia Sciortino and will be held via Zoom and livestreamed on our Facebook Page.
See further: http://seajunction.org/event/2nd-whatshappeninginmyanmar-bi-weekly-updates-by-aung-zaw-of-the-irrawaddy
Southeast Asia Mini Book and Craft Fair
27-28 April 2021, 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-17/
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
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. After careful review we have selected and provided grants for 13 grantees from 5 countries. The next opportunity for a second batch of application is planned for February 2021.
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!
