Asia Rising

This seminar examines the contingent roles left-behind women perform in the absence of migrant men. Drawing on data from a study of human trafficking and forced labour in the offshore fishing industry, how do the financial and relational effects of migrant worker exploitation produce contingent bread-winning amongst left-behind women? Speaker: Associate Professor Sallie Yea (Tracey Banivanua Mar P...

Mr John Howard, former Prime Minister of Australia (1996 - 2007) on Asia, his legacy, and Australia's place in the region. His new book, A Sense of Balance, is published by HarperCollins Australia.

COVID-19 has not only uncovered but also complicated pre-existing inequalities in the Philippines. This seminar approaches these inequalities from the viewpoint of relational egalitarianism and focus on their relational aspects. Speaker: Jacqueline Marie J. Tolentino (PhD Candidate, La Trobe University-Ateneo de Manila University)

The United Nations has declared 2022 the start of the International Decade of Indigenous Languages, aiming to raise awareness of the ongoing global loss of Indigenous languages. Ongoing attacks on human rights defenders and restrictions on civil society are critically challenging the effectiveness of these efforts. Dr Gerald Roche (Senior Research Fellow in Politics at La Trobe University, La Trob...

This seminar explored the Indian diaspora in the Philippines which has not been given much attention despite being in the Philippines for more than a century. The presentation discussed the ways that the Indians create and express their identity in the Philippines, their relationship with the Filipinos, and spaces used by Indians to foster belonging. Speaker: Gilbert Jacob S. Que (PhD candidate, D...

This panel features guests who have have helped create the community as a space for Filipinos to feel at home, stay rooted in Filipino culture while encouraging multicultural exchange with surrounding communities. This is the first session of our Philippines in Focus seminar series and launch of the Philippine-Australia Forum at La Trobe University with support from the gift of deed provided by th...

Approximately 7,000 languages are signed or spoken in the world today, more than half of them by Indigenous people. These languages are critical to services like education and healthcare, and their neglect threatens the health and wellbeing of Indigenous people. Language is literally a matter of life and death. The United Nations has declared 2022 the start of the International Decade of Indigenou...

With China mostly closed to international journalists accurate reporting is a challenging prospect, putting those engaged in it in danger from the Chinese government and their supporters. Guest: Vicky Xu (Journalist and Author, lead researcher of Uyghurs for Sale) Recorded 17 Augusts 2022.

Angkor is an archaeological site in northern Cambodia, and was home to the impressive capitals of the Khmer Empire between the 9th and 15th centuries. It is one of the most important archaeological sites in Southeast Asia, and an ongoing project aims to recreate it virtually. Guest: Dr Bernard Keo (Archaeology and History, La Trobe University) Recorded on 9 May, 2022.

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 internationa...

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 militari...

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 S...

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...

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...

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 ag...

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 Studie...

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 w...

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 a...

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 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 5: Support. 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. 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 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 Hil...

The Catch. A podcast miniseries about modern slavery and forced labour in the offshore fishing industry in the Asia Pacific Region. Episode 3: Restitution 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 2: In Too Deep 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.