Asia Rising

The track record of human rights in China is of global concern, with allegations of religious and ethnic repression, lack of freedom of information and civil liberties, violations of gender rights, and detainment of those who would speak out against the Chinese Communist Party. While the Chinese government is focused on maintaining ‘social stability’, the response of states within the international community remains largely non-confrontational, despite the growing mountain of evidence of human rights violations and repressions. Some fear China is gradually altering the entire international human rights system by stealth. What is the true situation of human rights in China? What response should be expected from the global community? What role can public activism play in improving the situation for Chinese people? Panel: - Yaqiu Wang (Senior Researcher on China, Human Rights Watch) - Vicky Xu (Writer, journalist and researcher) - Dr Gerald Roche (Senior Research Fellow, La Trobe Asia) - Professor James Leib

What are the broad strategic trends and security challenges affecting the Asian region, now and into the future? Guests: Dr Elizabeth Buchanan (Head of Research, Royal Australian Navy, Seapower Centre) Professor Peter Dean (Director of Foreign Policy and Defence, United States Studies Centre) Host: Assoc. Professor Bec Strating (Director, La Trobe Asia) Recorded on 21 July, 2022.

In recent years, as the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has grown in economic size, military strength and international influence, it has become more active in Antarctica. This has led to worries that Beijing’s ambitions extend further than just scientific research and fishing. Concerns have been raised about the PRC wanting to exploit Antarctica’s mineral and fossil energy resources and militarise the continent. There has been speculation that the PRC is even planning to make its own territorial claims. A La Trobe Asia event in collaboration with Australian Institute of International Affairs (AIIA) and China Matters to launch a new policy research report "China’s Antarctic ambitions - and their implications for Australia" by Yun Jiang. Panel: - Yun Jiang (AIIA China Matters Fellow) - Assoc. Professor Nengye Liu (School of Law, Singapore Management University) - Richard Maude (Senior Fellow, Asia Society Australia) - Professor Nick Bisley (Dean, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, La Trobe Univers

There has been an escalation of tension between China, Taiwan and the United States in the wake of a visit to Taiwan by United States house speaker Nancy Pelosi, the first visit of such a rank in close to 30 years. While the visit validates Taiwan’s democratic claims, it gives China an incentive to increase hostilities and increase tension in the region. Guest: Professor Nick Bisley (Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at La Trobe University). Recorded on 8 August, 2022.

In early 2022 the NGO Civicus added India to its watch list of countries of concern. In doing so it highlighted recent protest movements, arrests of academics, journalists and activists. This discussion examines how India got to this position and the impact on people on the ground in India. Speakers: Professor Nandini Sundar (Sociology, Delhi School of Economics) Dr Ian Woolford (Hindi Studies, La Trobe University) Dr Gerald Roche (Senior Research Fellow, Politics, La Trobe University) Recorded on 28th July, 2022.

The Indo-Pacific faces multiple security challenges, ranging from the risk of major war arising from territorial and maritime disputes to significant human and environmental threats to ecosystems. Exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, many states remain at odds over governance issues, how to confront pressing regional disputes and how to deal with countries outside the Asian region seeking to have greater influence. While the role of existing regional institutions such as ASEAN remains central to regional security and prosperity, improved regional architecture will be needed to address maritime security challenges with a clear understanding of priorities across regional states. What are the central maritime security challenges facing states in the region? How do they respond individually and collectively to these challenges? And what legal and institutional mechanisms exist to manage ongoing disputes? Launch of the ‘Enhancing Maritime Security in the Indo-Pacific’ report, a collaboration between Griffith A

Indonesia has made impressive democratic gains since the fall of the authoritarian Suharto regime in 1998, and has long been praised as a ‘model Muslim democracy’. But in recent years, the quality of Indonesian democracy has noticeably declined as the country continues to struggle with challenges to its democratic institutions and values, with systemic corruption and discrimination and violence against minority groups. Guests: Dr Ken Setiawan (Lecturer in Indonesian and Asian Studies, Asia Institute, University of Melbourne) Associate Professor Dirk Tomsa (Head of Department of Politics, Media and Philosophy, La Trobe University) Their book is Politics in Contemporary Indonesia: Institutional Change, Policy Challenges and Democratic Decline (Routledge, 2022). Recorded on 15 July, 2022.

Australia has a strong alliance with America, one that has remained unwavering through changes of leadership and turbulent international developments. While agreements such as AUKUS and the Quad have strengthened our position in the region, it has come at the cost of relations with other states and could in the future draw us into conflict. Guest: Hugh White (Emeritus Professor of Strategic Studies at Australian National University) Hugh's new Quarterly Essay is Sleepwalk to War: Australia’s unthinking alliance with America. Recorded on 30 June, 2022.

The idea of gender mainstreaming in foreign policy is gaining traction across the world. Several countries such as Sweden, Canada, France, Mexico, Germany, Spain, Luxemburg, Libya, Chile, and most recently the Netherlands have announced Feminist Foreign Policies. Other countries such as Australia, UK, Ireland, Argentina, may not have made formal Feminist Foreign Policy announcements yet, but are working towards understanding and integrating the gender and inclusivity lens in policy action according to their specific contexts. Through this webinar, along with unpacking some of the core aspects of a Feminist Foreign Policy/gender mainstreaming in foreign policy, we seek to hear perspectives from Indo-Pacific countries, with the objective of adding more voices from the region to the growing global conversations. Panel: Dr Elise Stephenson (Research Fellow, The Global Institute for Women's Leadership, Fellow, National Security College, Australian National University) Dr Soumita Basu (Associate Professor,

The Catch. A podcast miniseries about modern slavery and forced labour in the offshore fishing industry in the Asia Pacific Region. Episode 6: Victim's Voices The final episode of The Catch Host: Dr Bec Strating (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia) Guest: Dr Sallie Yea (Tracey Banivanua Mar Fellow, La Trobe University) Produced by La Trobe Asia.

Australia has a strong alliance with America, one that has remained unwavering through changes of leadership and turbulent international developments. While agreements such as AUKUS and the Quad have strengthened our position in the region, it has come at the cost of relations with other states in the region and could in the future draw us into conflict. Where does this leave our future security and prosperity in Asia? Is there a better way to navigate the disruption caused by China’s rise? A Melbourne event to discuss Sleepwalk to War, a new Quarterly Essay by Hugh White. Panel: - Professor Hugh White (Emeritus Professor of Strategic Studies, Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, Australian National University) - Dr Emma Shortis (School of Global, Urban and Social Studies, RMIT) - Professor Andrew O’Neil (Acting Dean, Griffith Graduate Research School, Griffith University) - Associate Professor Bec Strating (Director, La Trobe Asia) (Chair) Recorded at the La Trobe University City Campus on 30th June 202

The Catch. A podcast miniseries about modern slavery and forced labour in the offshore fishing industry in the Asia Pacific Region. Episode 5: Support. Episode 6 available now on all podcast platforms. Host: Dr Bec Strating (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia) Guest: Patricia Kailola (Human Dignity Group in Fiji) Produced by La Trobe Asia.

The Catch. A podcast miniseries about modern slavery and forced labour in the offshore fishing industry in the Asia Pacific Region. Episode 4: Reintegration Episode 5 available now on all podcast platforms. Host: Dr Bec Strating (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia) Guest: Associate Professor Christina Stringer (Centre for Research on Modern Slavery, University of Auckland) Produced by La Trobe Asia.

The Catch. A podcast miniseries about modern slavery and forced labour in the offshore fishing industry in the Asia Pacific Region. Episode 3: Restitution Episode 4 available now on all podcast platforms. Host: Dr Bec Strating (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia) Guest: Dr Sallie Yea (Tracey Banivanua Mar Fellow, La Trobe University) Produced by La Trobe Asia.

The Chittagong Hill Tracts is in southeast Bangladesh, on the country’s border with India and Myanmar, and is home to 14 Indigenous groups. However, the state contests these people’s Indigenous status and identity. How will this impact their ability to participate in the UNESCO International Decade of Indigenous Languages, and what does it mean for the future of the languages of the Chittagong Hill Tracts? A three podcast series exploring issues of indigenous languages to mark the beginning of the United Nations International Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022 - 2032). Guest: Dr Maung Ting Nyeu (Research Scientist, New York University). Host: Dr Gerald Roche (Senior Research Fellow, Department of Politics, Media and Philosophy at La Trobe University, La Trobe Asia Fellow). Recorded on 19 March, 2022.

The Catch. A podcast miniseries about modern slavery and forced labour in the offshore fishing industry in the Asia Pacific Region. Episode 2: In Too Deep Episode 3 available now on all podcast platforms. Host: Dr Bec Strating (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia) Guest: Dr Sallie Yea (Tracey Banivanua Mar Fellow, La Trobe University) Produced by La Trobe Asia.

The Catch. A podcast miniseries about modern slavery and forced labour in the offshore fishing industry in the Asia Pacific Region. Episode 1: Recruitment Episode 2 available now on all podcast platforms. Host: Dr Bec Strating (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia) Guest: Dr Sallie Yea (Tracey Banivanua Mar Fellow, La Trobe University) Produced by La Trobe Asia.

The Catch. A podcast miniseries about modern slavery and forced labour in the offshore fishing industry in the Asia Pacific Region. Available now on all podcast platforms. Hosted by Bec Strating, produced by La Trobe Asia.

At the end of June the Philippines will welcome new leadership featuring two very familiar names. Following in his father’s footsteps is Bongbong Marcos, son of former dictator Ferdinand Marcos, and joining him as Vice-President is Sara Duterte, daughter of the current President. While Marcos and Duterte are both the children of politicians with contentious backgrounds, they were elected with notably large majorities. How did they win, and what could their leadership mean for the Philippines? Guest: Professor Nicole Curato (Centre for Deliberative Democracy and Global Governance, University of Canberra). Recorded on 27 May, 2022.

As Australians head to the voting booth, much of this election has focused on our regional relationships and our place in the global order. Many have labelled this a 'khaki election', with national security becoming a major election issue. The campaign so far has been dominated by regional issues, particularly the fallout of China's pact with the Solomon Islands. Whether it is the strength of our alliances with neighbours or how to deal with rising China, the next government will potentially shape Australia's place in the region for the next generation. What does the 2022 election campaign reveal about Australia’s perceptions of its security within an increasingly contested region? Is the ‘politicisation’ of national security a positive development, and to what extent does it determine how people vote? And what do the national security discussions mean for the Asian diaspora in Australia? Panel: Professor Peter Dean (Chair of Defence Studies/Director, Defence and Security Institute, UWA Defence and Securi