Showing 1 - 10 of 29
Move Forward, Pita down but not out
Oped, Chairith Yonpiam, Published on 10/02/2024
» With a court sentence that handed Move Forward Party (MFP) MP Pita Limjaroenrat a suspended jail term for his role in a flash mob in 2019, the power games between the old powers and the left-leaning party have intensified to another level.
Planning for a future beyond 1.5C
Oped, Published on 22/11/2023
» The negotiators and activists preparing to attend the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai are grimly aware that there is no realistic chance of limiting global warming to 1.5° Celsius above pre-industrial levels. But what has become an open secret in climate circles must be shared more widely. Paradoxically, it may be the only way to muster the political will needed to eschew incrementalism in favour of disruptive action that is commensurate with the scale of the challenge.
Shaping up for our digital future
News, Published on 30/08/2022
» Asia and the Pacific is the most digitally divided region of the world, and Southeast Asia is the most divided subregion. The Covid-19 pandemic detonated a "digital big bang" that spurred people, governments and businesses to become "digital by default"; a sea change that generated vast digital dividends. These benefits that have not been distributed equally, however. New development gaps have emerged as digital transformation reinforces a vicious cycle of socioeconomic inequalities, within and across countries.
Temple graft shows need for reform
News, Sanitsuda Ekachai, Published on 11/04/2022
» The country's latest temple corruption scandal occurred at a first-class royal monastery; the centre of a sect founded by reformist monarch King Mongkut to clean up the clergy. What an irony!
Society needs disability inclusion
Oped, Published on 03/12/2021
» As the world observes the International Day of Persons with Disabilities today, we honour the leadership of those with disabilities and their tireless efforts to build a more inclusive, accessible and sustainable world. At the same time, we resolve to work harder to ensure a society that is open and accommodating of all.
Resilience in a riskier Asia-Pacific
Oped, Published on 19/08/2021
» Over the past two decades, the Asia-Pacific region has made remarkable progress in managing disaster risk. But countries can never let down their guard. The Covid-19 pandemic, with its epicentre now in Asia, and all its tragic consequences, has exposed the frailties of human societies in the face of powerful natural forces.
Keep an eye on SDG goals amid the pandemic
News, Published on 30/07/2020
» The United Nations' High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development recently told governments and stakeholders across the globe to focus on the importance of "building back better" while keeping an eye on their Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As lockdowns ease across countries in the Asia-Pacific region in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, one thing is clear: A return to "business as usual" is unimaginable in a region already off-track to meet their global goals.
Tackle entrenched inequalities to end epidemics
News, Published on 07/07/2020
» Like the HIV epidemic before it, Covid-19 is exploiting the extreme inequalities between countries and within them among disadvantaged and vulnerable communities. I am proud that decades of experience in responding to HIV are being used in the fight against the coronavirus and that activists all over the world are working hard to make sure that the disruption to HIV services is minimised.
Modern-day slavery demands a better response
Oped, Published on 21/05/2020
» A video showing the burials at sea of an Indonesian crewman working on a Chinese fishing vessel, as reported early this month by the Indonesia media, once again shed a light on the poor working conditions of Indonesian seaborne migrant workers and poor protection from states.
Foreigners get TRC case all wrong
News, Veera Prateepchaikul, Published on 11/03/2019
» It comes as little surprise that most foreign media and human rights advocacy organisations, Amnesty International in particular, oppose the dissolution of the Thai Raksa Chart (TRC) Party, and regard the Constitutional Court's order to disband the party as yet another bid by the military junta to exploit an allegedly biased judicial system to bully their political opponents and suppress freedom of expression.