- This event has passed.
Chased by Development
19 June, 2018 @ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
The model of economic growth applied in Southeast Asia has been centered on infrastructure expansion and maximization of natural resources. This in turn has implied –and condoned– the forced displacement and resettlement of (often minority or marginalized) local people who live in valuable lands or strategic places to satisfy development plans of local governments and state agencies and/or to serve the interests of private corporations.
This so-called development-induced displacement and resettlement (DIDR) is often presented as inevitable and the loss of home and livelihoods for the forced migrants has been dismissed as being ‘acceptable collateral damage’ or a ‘necessary evil’, a price to be paid if countries are to develop. Historically associated with the construction of dams for hydroelectric power and irrigation, DIDR increasingly occur for a wide range of projects from construction of railways and road developments and building of industrial complexes to urbanization, commercial agriculture and conservation efforts.
The panel discussion to be held at SEA Junction on 19 June at 6 PM -7.30 PM will present experiences of DIDR and their impacts in selected Southeast Asian countries as well as thrash out ongoing initiatives to mitigate negative consequences of DIDR and their shortcomings. Whether development alternatives are available to at least reduce occurrence of DIDR and minimize the number of displaced people and the criteria under which projects and associated resettlement should proceed are also points of debates.
The tentative program of the panel discussion is as follows:
Panel Discussion “Chased by Development”
Moderator:
Introduction to the panel
Rosalia Sciortino, Director SEA Junction & Assoc. Professor, IPSR, Mahidol University
Topics & Panelists:
- Can resettlement work for the disadvantaged population in the Philippines?
Melissa Quetulio-Navarra, Head, Relocation and Resettlement Monitoring and Development Division/ Concurrent National Project Manager for DOTR-PNR Southrails Project/Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor, Office of the President of the Philippines - IRD in the Greater Mekong Sub-region
Allan Beesey, Indipendent Researcher - Third speaker to be confirmed
This event is part of the “Displaced and Uprooted” Series, organized by SEA Junction in collaboration with the TIFA Foundation to raise awareness of the conditions and experiences of displaced persons, asylum seekers and refugees in Southeast Asia. The first event was a photographic exhibition on Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazaar by Mahmud Rahman, the second event focused on the securization of refugees and displaced persons in the region, the third on displacement caused by environmental degradation and this fourth one focuses on development-induced displacement and resettlement.
Painting by Jumaadi
For information/reservation for our events please email southeastasiajunction@gmail.com or phone/wa: +66970024140
NB: Events are free, but donation most welcome!
Organizers:
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. For more information see www.seajunction.org and join the Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/1693055870976440/
TIFA Foundation
TIFA Foundation is a grant making institution working for human rights and democracy in Indonesia and supporting civil society to work in key fields like access to information, community and independent media, legal aid, anti-corruption, and minority rights. In recognition of the importance of placing Indonesia within the broader regional context, since 2016 Tifa Foundation has started the Regional Hub program cooperating with the New Mandala and now with SEA Junction. For more information see http://www.tifafoundation.org/en/ (in Indonesian).
