Dr. David Matijasevich and Supitcha Maynu Chailom with CSEAR Director John Roosa and Students, November 2023.
The Centre for Southeast Asian Research (CSEAR) organized a range of talks, roundtables discussions, and lectures during the 2023-24 academic year, reflecting on key political issues in Thailand, Myanmar, Indonesia, and beyond. As part of this programming CSEAR welcomed several high-profile guests and experts from Southeast Asia.
In November 2023, CSEAR held a panel talk titled Thai Politics in 2023: The Road Ahead which delved into the implications of the 2023 elections for future political dynamics in Thailand and the youth-led democracy movement. The session was an important opportunity to learn from the extensive academic and on-ground experience of Dr. David Matijasevich (Capilano University) and Supitcha Maynu Chailom (Thai Refugee Activist).
In February 2024, the Centre had the honor of hosting Wa Lone, a Pulitzer prize-winning journalist from Myanmar for the talk Reporting on Mass Atrocities: How can Myanmar Remain on the Radar? Wa Lone’s reporting played a pivotal role in raising global awareness about Myanmar state’s violence and the Rohingya genocide. During the talk, attendees had a chance to learn about his courageous journalistic work as well as the on-going military crackdown on independent journalism on Myanmar. The portrait of the dire situation painted by his talk served as a call to action to the international community to raise global attention about such atrocities—wherever they may be occurring.
Wa Lone discussing his experience of reporting on the Rohingya Genocide in Myanmar, February 2024.
Students in the CSEAR office during the annual Open House, September 2023.
Professor David Matijasevich (right) and activist Supitcha Maynu Chailom (centre) at the panel talk on Thai politics, November 2023.
In addition to events on contemporary politics, the Centre arranged talks and interactive workshops with prolific scholars including Dr. Meredith Weiss (SUNY), Dr. Guo-Quan Seng (NUS), Dr. Lin Hongxuan (NUS) and Dr. Abidin Kusno (York University), on important issues within Southeast Asian societies. These sessions offered students a chance for hands-on learning and detailed engagement with their research. Moreover, graduate students affiliated with Centre shared their own research with their peers at regular brownbag lunch talks held throughout the year.
CSEAR also co-organized cross-campus events at UBC including a community based art exhibition at the Beaty Biodiversity Museum. Titled Stewarding Mae-Nam Khong, this exhibition brought together water protectors, artists and scholars from the Mae-Nam Khong (Mekong) River area in Southeast Asia and Salish Waters in Vancouver to highlight the importance of their freshwater ecosystems and ongoing Indigenous/grassroots struggles. The exhibit was accompanied by a panel talk at which water-protectors and scholars shared their experiences of working towards decolonial futures.
CSEAR continues to focus on research, community activities and Canadian engagement with Southeast Asia through this wide array of events. Moreover, with UBC currently participating in the Canadian Southeast Asian Studies Initiative as a consortium institution, CSEAR is also striving to work with younger scholars invested in the region.
Learn more about the Centre for Southeast Asia Research here.
Stay informed about upcoming CSEAR events by signing up for the IAR Newsletter here.
