Asia Rising

It’s been more than two years since Joko Widodo was elected Indonesian President. While his election occurred on a wave of high hopes and high expectations, little was known at the time about how the new President would approach Indonesia’s international affairs. Dr Evi Fitriani (Head of the International Relations Department at Universitas Indonesia)talks to Dr Rebecca Strating (Politics and Philosophy, La Trobe University) about Indonesia’s approach to foreign policy under the Widoko administration.

India has more than a billion mobile phones in use, with more people having access to a mobile phone than a toilet with plumbing. What impact has the phone had on India's society, politics and economy? Emeritus Professor Robin Jeffrey (Politics, La Trobe University)speaks to Matt Smith about the implications of a connected India.

On 30th June, Rodrigo Duterte was sworn in as the Philippines 16th President. Observers outside the country were stunned by his sudden rise to power, in both his tone and at times violent rhetoric he seemed, to many, to be South East Asian version of Donald Trump. Dr Nicole Curato (ARC Early Career Research Fellow at the Institute for Governance and Policy Advice in the University of Canberra) talks to Professor Nick Bisley (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia) about the kind of leader Duterte will be, and the changes he wants to bring to South East Asia's second largest population.

An election in the upper house of Japan has delivered a supermajority to Shinzo Abe, with two thirds of it in control of his Liberal Democratic Party and its allies. The win is a substantial vote of confidence for the Prime Minister and his policies, and with a similar majority in the lower house he now has the legislative firepower to make substantial changes, including rewriting Japan’s pacifist constitution. Dr David Envall (International Relations, Australian National University) talks to Matt Smith about the election results and what Abe could do with this power.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a political and economic organisation formed 49 years ago by like-minded southeast Asian countries. Much like the EU it aims to streamline co-operation such as trade and social progress between its member states, and increase bargaining power with the rest of the world. Professor Nick Bisley (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia) talks with Matt Smith about this regional entity, and whether the lofty aims of ASEAN are about to crack under outside pressures.

After hundreds of years of occupation and a bloody struggle for independence, Timor-Leste formed its democratic government in 2002, running an election under the watchful eye of the UN. It’s since had three highly competitive elections since 2002 that have been universally recognised as free and fair. Dr Rebecca Strating (Politics, La Trobe University) talks to Matt Smith about the state of democracy in Timor-Leste - is it failing as an institution, and is that a bad thing for the country?

The Three Gorges Dam, the world's largest hydro-electric power station, is one of the greatest infrastructure projects of modern times. Building it displaced many hundreds of thousands of people, and transformed the environment in a key part of China. Dr Brooke Wilmsen (Social Inquiry, La Trobe University) talks to Professor Nick Bisley (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia) about the impact of the dam on the lives of people in the region, what it tells us about China's modernisation, and the kind of social challenges faced by a rapidly industrialising society.

The Uyghurs are a Turkic-speaking Muslim minority that predominantly inhabit the far western region of China known as Xinjiang. Dr David Brophy (History, University of Sydney) talks to Assoc. Professor James Leibold (Politics, La Trobe University) the emergence of the Uyghur nation and reform and revolution on the Russian frontier. David Brophy's book, Uyghur Nation (2016) published by Harvard University Press: www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog.php?isbn=9780674660373 Follow David Brophy on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Dave_Brophy Follow James Leibold on Twitter: www.twitter.com/jleibold Theme music: Asian Wonders by Butterfly Tea

Indonesia has had ongoing problems with corruption since it established democracy in 1998, and while some recent high profile cases have been exposed, it's a problem at every level of government. Dr Dirk Tomsa (Politics, La Trobe University) talks to Professor Nick Bisley (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia) about Indonesia's ongoing struggle to combat corruption, whether it be exposed through efforts of the KPK, or political machinations. Copyright 2016 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

The Indonesian island of Java has experienced a resurgence of Islam in recent years. Professor Joel Kuipers (Anthropology, George Washington University), presents the striking rise of the use of Arabic names in the island as a way of ethnographically bridging the gap between comparative surveys and in-depth interviews. Presented as a seminar for the Centre for Research on Language Diversity at La Trobe University on 11th May, 2016.

Observers worldwide are watching with trepidation as Donald Trump gains ground in the United States election. Perhaps none more carefully than China, who Trump directs many aggressive remarks towards, expressing a desire for stronger trade negotiations. Professor Nick Bisley (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia) speaks to Matt Smith about Trump's attitude towards China, the actions he could take, and how his victory could work in China's favour. Copyright 2016 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

During World War II (and the wider Pacific War) women from many Asian countries were kept in 'comfort stations' for the use of Japanese soldiers. While Japan has now given ¥1 billion in compensation there is little acknowledgement of the issue, and it has caused tension in particular with neighbouring South Korea. Dr Nicola Henry (Social Inquiry, La Trobe University) speaks to Professor Nick Bisley (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia) discuss the issue of comfort women, whether the recognition offered is sufficient, and the extent of the political issues. Copyright 2016 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

Suicide is a significant public health problem. With a highly populated and urbanised environment, Hong Kong in particular has taken a proactive approach to suicide prevention, such as restricting means, improving the data record, and media engagement. Professor Paul Yip (Director for the Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention) dicusses suicide prevention practices in Hong Kong, as well as cultural differences in attitudes between the east and the west. Copyright 2016 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

India is a country that can overload the senses. One of the most striking features a visitor can notice is the country's seemingly endemic problem with rubbish and pollution. Professor Robin Jeffrey (Emeritus, La Trobe University) talks to Professor Nick Bisley (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia) about the extent of India's problem with waste, the cultural attitude towards sanitation, and Modi's plan to clean up India. Follow Nick Bisley on Twitter: www.twitter.com/nickbisley Copyright 2016 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

The South China Sea is a critical commercial gateway for a significant portion of the world’s merchant shipping, and much of the territory is disputed by neighbouring countries. China's recent land reclamation projects in disputed areas leave many to fear it could escalate into full-scale conflict. Dr Euan Graham (Director, International Security. Lowy Institute for International Policy) joins Professor Nick Bisley (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia) to discuss the dispute and explain what's at stake. Follow Euan Graham on Twitter: www.twitter.com/graham_euan Follow Nick Bisley on Twitter: www.twitter.com/nickbisley Copyright 2016 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

The recent arrest of Jawaharlal Nehru University student leader Kanhaiya Kumar on the charges of sedition have shaken India, the world's biggest democracy. Dr Ian Woolford (Hindi Program, La Trobe University) talks to Professor Nick Bisley (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia) about the Modi government reaction and what this crisis means for freedom of speech in India. Follow Ian Woolford on Twitter: www.twitter.com/iawoolford Follow Nick Bisley on Twitter: www.twitter.com/nickbisley Copyright 2016 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

Australia's Turnbull government has released a new defence white paper containing the affirmation of the purchase of 12 new submarines. There have been previous indications that these would come from Japan, but much has changed in both domestic and international politics in this time. Professor Nick Bisley (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia) tells Matt Smith why Japan will be the provider of Australia's submarines and the ripples it could make in international diplomacy. Follow Nick Bisley on Twitter: www.twitter.com/nickbisley Follow Matt Smith on Twitter: www.twitter.com/nightlightguy Copyright 2016 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

Chinatown was established in Melbourne in 1854, 20 years after the city started. It is located in Little Bourke St, and has a long history of supporting the local Chinese community. Dr Sophie Couchman (Curator at the Chinese Museum (Melbourne), Honorary Research Fellow, History, La Trobe University) talks about history, culture, and influences of Melbourne's Chinatown. Follow Sophie Couchman on Twitter: https://twitter.com/sophiecouchman Follow Matt Smith on Twitter: https://twitter.com/nightlightguy Follow Chinese Museum, Melbourne on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Chinese_Museum Copyright 2016 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

Art therapy is a theraputic mental health inititiative from the western world, but it has now been incorporated into mental health initiatives in the Pacific Island nation of Samoa. Dr Patricia Fenner (Public Health, La Trobe University) talks about the program success and the strong influence Samoan community and culture has played in it. Follow Jasmine-Kim Westendorf on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Jasminekimw Copyright 2016 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

It's been 15 years since the United Nations Security Council resolution on women, peace and security. Despite all the efforts there is still a lot of disappointment that women are still so excluded from peace processes. Dr Meenakshi Gopinath (Founder and Honorary Director of WISCOMP) talks to Dr Jasmine-Kim Westendorf (International Relations, La Trobe University) about how and why women should be included and encouraged in conflict resolution. Follow Jasmine-Kim Westendorf on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Jasminekimw Copyright 2016 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.