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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for SEA Junction
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DTSTART:20200101T000000
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID="Asia/Krasnoyarsk":20200617T220000
DTEND;TZID="Asia/Krasnoyarsk":20201231T200000
DTSTAMP:20260808T074928
CREATED:20200616T114830Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200818T044413Z
UID:16522-1592431200-1609444800@seajunction.org
SUMMARY:The Mekong is Blue and Dried: Visual Storytelling of the Mekong River’s Environmental Degradation Open Call for Photo & Art Essays
DESCRIPTION: \nThe Mekong River is the most diverse in fresh water fishery in the world with the greatest biodiversity after the Amazon. It originates in the Tibetan plateau and flows through mainland Southeast Asia before emptying in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta into the South China sea. The Mekong feeds more than 60 million people who live along its entire route. Among them there are indigenous communities that depend on the Mekong for their natural resource-based livelihoods and as a source of income. Their way of life is today threatened by the ongoing dam-building race since the first dam was built on the Mekong mainstream 20 years ago. \nToday\, eleven dams are planned for the lower mainstream Mekong\, and 300 more are in the waiting on feeder waterways. Cumulative impacts have been felt by the riparian communities living downstream. The first lower Mekong dam Xayaburi in Laos operated for a test run in July 2019 exacerbated the drought in the region. The Mekong water level is at its lowest in 50 years. The second dam on the lower Mekong in Laos (Don Sa Hong) was built against concerns regarding its blocking major channels of migratory fishes to spawn upstream and in the Mekong’s tributary rivers. In particular\, it affects the migration of endangered Irrawaddy dolphins living close to the Laotian-Cambodian border where the dam is also located. \nAdding to the multiple impacts of dams\, the collapse of Xe Pian-Xe Namnoy saddle dams on Xe Kong River which is a tributary of the Mekong River in Southern Laos\, killed at least 40 people and displaced more than 4\,500 people. This was a dark reminder of the threats dams pose on people’s lives and the lack of accountability of multinational corporations. \nThe combination of upstream and downstream dams’ operations has blocked the natural rich nutrients and sediments and the water flow. In late 2019\, the Mekong turned into rare blue color instead of its usual brown. The blue color of the Mekong reflects “dead” for aquatic animals\, other animals that dwell in the Mekong riverbank and millions of people who depend for their livelihood on the biodiversity of the River. \nNetworks of environmental experts\, civil society\, media and academia tireless continue to advocate for environmentally and socially friendly measures for the Mekong River.  They raise questions about the need of such dams in view of other forms of green energy such as solar power\, the extenuating risks associated with hydropower construction\, and the devastating social and economic effects on local populations. \nThis initiative launched by SEA Junction with the support of the Samdhana Institute on 15 June 2020 for a period of three months\, aims to contribute to these ongoing efforts through the creative use of visual documentation and art. We are pleased that the Mekong Environment Forum has offered to partner with us on this and help with promoting the initiative and sharing relevant material. We hope other organizations will also join our effort. \n“The Mekong River is Blue and Dried” initiative calls all those interested and particularly photographers\, artists and organizations working with communities in the Greater Mekong Region (GMS) to share their visual stories. The photos and art works accompanied by a short essay should reflect on four main themes: \n\nEnvironmental degradation of the Mekong river.\nDestruction caused by dams and development interventions affecting the river\nImpacts on people and communities depending on the Mekong River for their lives and livelihoods.\nStories of advocacy and how networks and civil groups advocate and try to limit environmental and social damage (“history of opposition”).\n\nThe short essay can be written in English or in any of the Mekong languages (to be later translated into English) \nIf you have a story or an idea to contribute to this initiative just contact us at southeastasiajunction@gmail.com or with our Instagram and twitter @seajunction or facebook @sea-junction. \nLooking forward to collaborating with all of you for a healthier Mekong! \n  \nOrganizers:  \nSEA Junction\nSEA 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 \nThe Samdhana Institute\nSamdhana\, in Sanskrit\, means healing\, uniting\, peacemaking. It was formed in 2003 by a group of individuals\, conservationists\, development practitioners\, constituting the first Samdhana Fellows; moved by the same commitment of ‘giving back’ what they know to the next generation; and bringing together skills\, knowledge\, experiences\, networks\, colleagues and friends; delivering maturity\, strength and sustainability. For more info see www.samdhana.org \n  \n
URL:https://seajunction.org/event/the-mekong-is-blue-and-dried-visual-storytelling-of-the-mekong-rivers-environmental-degradation-open-call-for-photo-art-essays/
LOCATION:SEA Junction\, Room 408\, BACC\, 939 Rama 1 Rd\, Pathum Wan\, Khet Pathum Wan\, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10330 Bangkok\, Thailand\, Bangkok\, Thailand
CATEGORIES:Event
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID="Asia/Krasnoyarsk":20200729T170000
DTEND;TZID="Asia/Krasnoyarsk":20200729T193000
DTSTAMP:20260808T074928
CREATED:20200721T151729Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200721T151729Z
UID:16758-1596042000-1596051000@seajunction.org
SUMMARY:Dialogue Forum 4: The Mekong runs dry? Governance in transition: A close look at current rules and geopolitics at play (in Thai)
DESCRIPTION: \nIn times when society has become widened with gaps and differences of views and opinions\, one issue could be escalated into a crisis if there are no platforms available for appropriate discussion among all concerned. \nThe media\, while informing and inspiring their audience\, could also take an educating and facilitating role to serve such the purpose\, acting as a bridge and helping connect the dots into one big picture. \nIn collaboration with its partners and with the support of Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (Thailand Office)\, Bangkok Tribune News Agency has come up with a monthly forum on issues of importance\, under the project\, “Dialogue Forum”. \nThis is to facilitate and provide a space for discussions and exchanges of dialogues and views on issues of importance especially in regard to social and environmental issues both in Thailand and the Mekong region\, thus not only helping connect the dots as wished\, but also forging understanding among the public and the parties concerned\, encouraging them to find a common ground and seek solutions together. \nDevelopment in the Mekong region\, especially development trends and projects on the mainstream Mekong River itself\, has long been a critical challenge and complicated issue for concerned parties and the public  at large\, and needs much understanding so that people can help one another find the way to share resources and live together in harmony. \nThe attempt was first challenged since China started to develop the upper part of the river by building a cascade of dams on the river in early 1990s. \nThe challenge has become far critical especially in regard to the aspect concerning transboundary impacts as the Mekong countries become ambitious too and wish to build a cascade of dams\, 11 so far\, on the lower part of the river. \nAt this point\, they have been more than half way\, as the sixth dam project\, Sanakham\, is subject to the regional prior consultation process\, The question is; in times when development of the river has accelerated and posed a more serious threat\, whether existing mechanisms to regulate water uses and mitigate impacts are efficient enough and catch up with such the speeding trend\, and more critically\, whether geopolitics in the region is still much at play and influences decisions made in regard to development in the region. \nThe Dialogue Forum therefore would cordially like to invite you to explore the sustainable path for the Mekong region amid the increasing challenge in this 2020s in its Dialogue Forum 4: The Mekong runs dry? Governance in transition: A close look at current  \nrules and geopolitics at play at SEA-Junction 408\, Bangkok Art and Culture Centre\, on July 29\, 2020 (5-7.30 pm) \nContact: southeastasiajunction@gmail.com \nBangkok Tribune coordinator: Piya Wong  @089 920 8027/ Bangkok Tribune News FB Messenger \n**In accordance with the COVID-19 regulation\, please confirm your participation ahead of the event (limited seats available). \n***You can also watch the event live at FB Live: Bangkok Tribune News FB Page \nObjectives \n\nTo develop and introduce a new body of knowledge and innovation in regard to an independent\, in-depth media to the  public (Indie & In-depth)\nTo empower public members to be able to keep up with any developments as well as repercussions in the society\, as well as the role of the media in helping shape the society (Empowering)\nTo promote participation in development of such the innovative and independent media so that it can remain opened and accessible to all (Open & Accessible)\n\nPartners \n\nThai Society of Environmental Journalists\nProject SEVANA South-East Asia\nSEA-Junction\nBangkok Tribune News Agency\n\nSupported by: Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (Thailand Office) \nProgramme \nDialogue Forum 4 (in Thai)\nThe Mekong runs dry?\nGovernance in transition: A close look at current rules and geopolitics at play \n\n\n\n5.00 pm\nRegistration\n\n\n5.25 pm\nBrief introduction of the forum and the topic of the forum\n\n\n5.30 pm\nOverview: The state of dam development on the Mekong River and governance related mechanisms \nDr.Somkiat Prajamwong\, Chairperson of the MRC Joint Committee for 2020 and Secretary General of the Office of National Water Resources\n\n\n5.40 pm \nForum discussion: The Mekong runs dry?\n\n\n \nGovernance in transition: A close look at current rules and geopolitics at play\n\n\n \nSpeakers:\nDr.Somkiat Prajamwong\, Chairperson of the MRC Joint Committee for 2020 and Secretary General of the Office of National Water Resources \nDr. Carl Middleton\, Director of the Center for Social Development Studies (CSDS)\, the Faculty of Political Science\, Chulalongkorn University \nPianporn Deetes\, Thailand Campaign Coordinator\, International Rivers \nPremrudee Daoroung\, Coordinator\, Lao Dam Investment Monitor (LDIM) \nOrapin Lilitvisitwong\, Editor\, Thai PBS’s website\, Decode\n\n\n6.40 pm\nQ&A session\n\n\n7.30 pm\nWrap-up and closing of the forum\n\n\n\n
URL:https://seajunction.org/event/dialogue-forum-4-the-mekong-runs-dry-governance-in-transition-a-close-look-at-current-rules-and-geopolitics-at-play-in-thai/
LOCATION:SEA Junction\, Room 408\, BACC\, 939 Rama 1 Rd\, Pathum Wan\, Khet Pathum Wan\, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10330 Bangkok\, Thailand\, Bangkok\, Thailand
CATEGORIES:Event
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