Dear Partners and Friends of SEA Junction,
In the midst of many other global concerns, we continue to advocate to keep Myanmar on the public agenda through our events. In the beginning of this month, our regular #WhatsHappeninginMyanmar Monthly Updates provide important insights for informed action in support of the democratic movement in the country and beyond. We also have an ongoing photo exhibition that highlights the cross-over of Myanmar people to Thailand in the wake of the coup (read the article on Nikkei Asia here). Toward the end of November, we are partnering with Asia Research News in support of the International Development Research Centre for an exhibition and event series “Knowledge Marketplace” to exchange ideas for a democratic Myanmar. Moreover, we will commemorate International Women’s Human Rights Defenders Day with a book launch “Burma Spring” in collaboration with the Embassy of Luxembourg and Intersections Gallery.
We also maintain our interest for other regional issues. We will host the gathering of participants and live broadcast some panels of the ALTERSEA Conference on social movements in Southeast Asia exploring collaborations between researchers, activists and citizens in the region. There are also events in Thai in our packed schedule. First, addressing environmental challenges in Thailand, we continue our partnership with the Bangkok Tribune News for monthly forums, which will focus this month on the purchase of electricity from Mekong dam projects and the implications of COP27 on Thailand’s climate policies. Second, in face of threats to artistic freedom, we will discuss how to defend the rights and freedom of artists and creative workers in the context of Thailand. Finally, we will wrap up this month and begin December with Erica Hestu Wahyuni’s colorful exhibition.
More information about each event can be found below, where you can also read about our special initiatives. The most recent one is “Living the Coup: Collective Diary of Daily Life in Myanmar,” in collaboration with AJAR. Born out of solidarity with the uprising movement in Myanmar, with the aim to document the personal stories of people and mold them into a collective diary—a history not to be dismissed nor forgotten, we invite anyone to submit a written, photo or art essay of 1 day to 1 week of their lives in today Myanmar. You may read about a railroad worker who joined the Civil Disobedience Movement in the most recently published story here.
We hope you will continue to find our 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. Your support is especially needed now that we expanded our space and are particularly active!
Best regards,
Lia Sciortino Sumaryono
Founder and Executive Director, SEA Junction
EVENT PROGRAM
Photo Exhibition “Endless Escape: Fleeing Myanmar to Thailand”
4 October – 6 November 2022, 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
The on-going exhibition on the 4th floor of BACC captures the cross-over into Thailand and the settling along the 1500 km porous borders at times when fighting and airstrikes became particularly intense such as in December 2021 and March 2022. Few photos also show Mae La, the largest refugee camp of the nine along the Thai-Myanmar border that was established in 1984 to remind us of the “endless escape” of Myanmar people. Organized in collaboration with Asia Democracy Network, the exhibition features the photos by Aung Naing Soe, Visual Rebellion, Yan Naing Aung and Zin Koko.
See further: http://seajunction.org/event/photo-exhibition-endless-escape-fleeing-myanmar-to-thailand/
ALTERSEA Conference 2022: Panel 1B & Panel 2
3 November 2022, 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
SEA Junction will host the gathering of participants and live broadcast the Panel 1B and Panel 2 of the conference “Engaging Research – Exploring Collaborations between Researchers, Activists and Citizens”. The panels are “Trejectories through a gender lens: Navigating across a plurality of sectors of research on social mobilizations” and “Method: Articulating different goals and approaches” respectively.
See further: http://seajunction.org/event/altersea-conference-2022-panel-1b-panel-2/
Dialogue Forum 3 I Year 3 (in Thai)
“Mekong Dams and Electricity Bills; Who really wants electricity?”
4 November 2022, 10:00 am – 12:30 pm
After a long delay, the Thai government through the National Energy Policy Committee has recently decided to endorse consecutively power purchase from three Mekong dam projects. Its decisions were taken in a short period of time over the past few months, renewing concerns over the impacts they may have caused, including those on the Thai-Lao borderline. The Dialogue Forum (held in Thai) would cordially like to invite you to discuss and find the best way out of our energy situation at the third forum of this year.
25th #WhatsHappeninginMyanmar Monthly Updates
5 November 2022, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
This update series was started soon after the coup d’état in Myanmar with the aim to contribute to a greater understanding of the crisis situation there for informed action in support of the democratic movement in the country and beyond. In collaboration with Asia Justice and Rights, we are continuing the series with Khin Ohmar. The updates consisting of 20-minute analysis and 40-minute Q&A are held via Zoom and livestreamed on our Facebook Page. To join via Zoom, just click on this link.
See further: http://seajunction.org/event/25th-whatshappeninginmyanmar-monthly-updates-2/
Artistic Freedom in Thailand (in Thai)
12 November 2022, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Artistic freedom includes the freedom to create diverse cultural expressions free of governmental censorship or political interference and the rights to the protection of social and economic rights. Organized in collaboration with Mekong Cultural Hub, in this event, the speakers from UNESCO Bangkok, iLaw and Creative Workers Union will discuss the overview concept and situation in Thailand as well as mechanism to protect and promote artistic freedom among artists and creative workers. The entire discussion will be in Thai.
See further: http://seajunction.org/event/artistic-freedom-in-thailand/
Southeast Asia Mini Book and Craft Fair
19-20 November 2022, 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-27/
Exhibition and Event Series “Knowledge Marketplace: Exchanging of Ideas for a Democratic Myanmar”
22 November – 4 December 2022, 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
The project “Knowledge for Democracy Myanmar Initiative: Protecting the Gains in Myanmar’s Democracy” aims to support the development of a strong and well-informed civil society that will contribute to an inclusive and pro-democratic vision of a Myanmar federation, and preserve the democratic gains achieved prior to the 2021 coup. In partnership with Asia Research News, with support of the International Development Research Centre, the exhibition and event series “Knowledge Marketplace” will be held respectively on 22 November – 4 December and 25-30 November. More details will be announced soon.
Dialogue Forum 4 I Year 3 (in Thai)
“From Glasgow to Egypt, COP 27 and Implications on Thailand’s Climate Policies and Actions?”
24 November 2022, 10:30 am – 1:00 pm
Following the UN Climate Change Conference (COP27) to be held in Egypt from 6-18 November, the Parties of the Conference are going to make another attempt to fulfil what promised in Glasgow last year including the net-zero emission while curtaining climate impacts through various initiatives. We will update the progress made at the conference as well as learn its implication on the future climate policies and actions at the fourth forum of this year.
Burma Spring: Poetry & Photography in Resistance
29 November 2022, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Burma Spring presents 14 poets and 7 photographers from Myanmar and Rohingya ethnic group, in exile, imprisoned or killed by the army during the military coup in February 2021. Others are forced to hide their identity. Their works are testimonies of shock, anger and determination. Organized in collaboration with the Embassy of Luxembourg and Intersections Gallery, the book will be launched with a discussion with the editor Mayco Naing. Some photographs from the book will also be on display at SEA Junction from 22-29 November 2022.
See further: http://seajunction.org/event/burma-spring-poetry-photography-in-resistance/
Painting Exhibition “Universe of Colors”
29 November – 11 December 2022, 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
The exhibition by Erica Hestu Wahyuni on the 4th floor of BACC will include her newly created pieces as well as her recently exhibited pieces as part of the Bridge of Colors: Indonesian Painting Exhibition at the National Gallery of Thailand. Typically, Erica depicts her experiences in scenes with main characters in extremely busy environments. The theme of her painting is about a happy journey to enjoy the universe and how the harmony of the universe.
See further: http://seajunction.org/event/painting-exhibition-universe-of-colors/
SPECIAL INITIATIVES
Living the Coup: Collective Diary of Daily Life in Myanmar
How people in Myanmar are facing these hardships and coping with the junta control and wide-spread conflict is the focus of this project in collaboration with Asia Justice and Rights (AJAR). “Living the Coup” aims to document the personal stories of people of different faith, class, gender and ethnic backgrounds and mold them into a collective diary—a history not to be dismissed nor forgotten. The call for written, photo and art stories remain open and some stories have been already published on our page.
See further: http://seajunction.org/living-the-coup-collective-diary-of-daily-life-in-myanmar/
Small Grants Program
“Staying Resilient Amid the Pandemic in Southeast Asia”
This 3-year program, with support of the China Medical Board Foundation, provides funds to efforts working to build social capital, strengthen community resilience, improve the living and health conditions of local communities (geographical as well as functional) and enhance their capacity to cope with the current situation of COVID-19 and its longer-term socio-economic and health impacts.
From Fear to Resilience:
Visual Storytelling of COVID-19 in Southeast Asia
With the current surges in COVID-19 infection across Southeast Asia, the fear of contracting the disease remains and is even escalated when the vaccine is in shortage and not accessible to many. Many also suffer from socio-economic hardship. At the same time, people are displaying strength in coping with the continuing uncertainties. SEA Junction invites all to make an effort to collectively provide a visual story of the pandemic in Southeast Asia that shows the worries as well as the resilience and hope in our experience. We are calling for short photo essays or illustrated art essays in any language of the region (to be later translated into English) or in English and shared on our platforms.
See further: http://seajunction.org/special-initiatives/
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.
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