Socio-Cultural
Breaking The Biases: Positionality and Socioeconomic Inequality in ASEAN
The collection of nations that make up ASEAN have had slow progressions and regressions towards the goal of socio-economic equality, with some nations trailing towards equal representation in the workforce while discrepancies in wealth simultaneously grow. Addressing these challenges have led to a rapid rise in policies which mediate these inequalities between race, gender, class and ability. Yet these disparities endure. Therefore, what alterations can nations implement to improve these policies? How can social norms in ASEAN countries be reshaped to address the inequality faced by these demographics? And how can we mend the structures that give way to such discrepancies?
Mr. Jimmy Pham AM
Founder of Know One, Teach One Vietnam (KOTO)
Walking the Tightrope: Balancing Climate Crisis and Development
ASEAN announced a net zero GHG emissions goal by 2050 in October 2021, but for a region with consumption and production growing so quickly, net zero may come at the steep price of risk to citizens’ livelihoods. As populations flood into developed areas, air and water pollution creates a greater disparity between rural and urban areas to the detriment of health and productivity. With every ASEAN nation but Laos connected to water, millions are threatened by rising sea levels. As we move forward, how can governments must balance the complex relationship between urbanisation, growth, and the environment with citizens’ lives, while keeping in mind that the already disadvantaged do not unequally bear the burden of climate change?
Ms. Kirsten McDonald
Associate Principal at ARUP, Australiasia International Development Leader
Ms. Louise Mabulo
Founder of Cacao Project
National Geographic Young Explorer, Young Champion of the Earth under the United Nations, a Forbes Asia’s ‘30 Under 30’ honoree, Young Activist Summit Laureate
Mr. Hugh Piper
Program Lead at the Asia-Pacific Development, Diplomacy and Defence Dialogue (AP4D)
Mr. Amrit Misra
Country Manager at VietHarvest
Dr. Fengshi Wu
Associate Professor in Political Science and International Relations, UNSW
Breaking Ground: Where Can Women Reclaim Space?
Women as carers, homemakers, wives, sisters, objects – the character and complexity of the gender norms that characterise women are interwoven into the cultural fabrics of societies across time and space. The importance of collectivist norms and community values within Southeast Asian cultures often result in fewer individual privileges for women, even in the 21st century. This session will explore the role of gender stereotypes within the cultural context of Southeast Asian societies, and how we can subvert these prejudices whilst preserving important cultural traditions and mores. But how can we shift current gendered norms and what are the implications of such changes on the lives of Southeast Asian women?
Ms. Jeannie Javelosa
Co Founder of GREAT Women, The EON Group & ECHOStore
Ms. Zarmina Nasir
Director for Gender Norms at Investing in Women
Dr. Joyce Wu
Senior Lecturer in Global Development, School of Social Sciences UNSW
Dr. Carmen Leong
Senior Lecturer of Information Systems & Technology Management, UNSW
Dr. Chavalin Svetanant
Senior Lecturer (Asian Languages & Cultures, Macquarie University)
Ms. Eleanor Mak
CEO & Co-Founder of Guru Advantage
Ms. Tu Le
Community Lawyer, Organiser & Advocate
Ms. Ratih Arruum Listiyandini
Clinical Psychologist, Researcher, Educator