Asia Rising

Large numbers of people in Southeast Asia seek opportunities to improve their lives either within or outside their home country. While there are many positive benefits, the risk of exploitation is high. Many find themselves deceived or coerced into situations where they are abused and forced to live and work in poor conditions with little or no pay. Some are forced into sex work or marriages against their will, while others fall prey to the illicit organ trade.

How can we better understand what makes people vulnerable to human trafficking? What can governments and organisations be doing to better support victims and confront the causes? What roles can researchers play in helping answer these questions?

Speakers:

A La Trobe Asia and Centre for Human Security and Social Change event.

The West has always had an outsized influence in the world, but what if this trend is changing? The post cold-war era U.S. and European countries, which represent the foundational pillars of the Western system, have seen their power diminish. Shifts in demographics, economics, military, and cultural terms are indicating a more diverse global future. Wealth is moving from the West to the East, and nations such as India and Indonesia are set to reach new heights of growth and confidence. Is the West prepared for a more diverse global future?

The Melbourne launch of Westlessness: The Great Global Rebalancing by Samir Puri.

Speakers:

Recorded 9th September, 2024

In recent years Australia has drawn closer to many of its Asia-Pacific neighbours, but when push comes to shove, it continues to look well beyond the oceans and regions that surround it to the distant horizons of Europe and North America for its ultimate security guarantee'. But is there another way Australia should understand its strategic challenges and find lasting security?

Girt by Sea: Re-Imagining Australia's Security by Rebecca Strating and Joanne Wallis is published by La Trobe University Press.

Guest: Professor Rebecca Strating (Director, La Trobe Asia)

Recorded on 15th August 2024.

The catastrophic attacks of 9/11 led to successful US-led military effort to overthrow the Taliban regime and dismantle al-Qaeda’s terrorism training camps in Afghanistan. Britain took the lead in creating the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) to stabilise the country and support the new government. Why did the ISAF mission fail, and what are the wider lessons from the Afghanistan war for security in the Asia-Pacific.

Guest: Professor Theo Farrell (Vice-Chancellor, La Trobe University)

Recorded 22nd July, 2024.

On September 15 2021 Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the agreement of both the US and the UK to supply Australia with nuclear-powered submarines.

Following its election in 2022 the government of Anthony Albanese made clear that that AUKUS was supported by Labor. Is there now any significant difference between the defence policies of the Coalition and Labor?

What exactly are the motives of the three governments involved in the AUKUS agreement--the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia?

Speakers:

Recorded on 16th July, 2024.

Taiwan recently saw a peaceful transition of power with the inauguration of President Lai Ching-Te, who was elected to office in January.

President Lai’s election continues the pro-democracy stance of Taiwan, and in his inaugural speech he called on neighbouring China to cease its acts of intimidation and to “choose dialogue over confrontation.”

China responded by holding a simulated blockade of Taiwan, complete with imagery boasting its ability to reign missiles down on the island.

Guest: Kevin Magee (Former Australian Representative to Taiwan)

Recorded on 19th June, 2024.

The world’s largest display of democracy has just taken place, with close to a billion people eligible to vote in an election across 44 days. Narendra Modi has been sworn in for a rare third term as India’s Prime Minister, after emerging victorious in a tough election with a slim majority.

His party, the BJP, had hoped for a landslide victory, but needed to rely on a coalition to gain power.

Guest: Associate Professor Priya Chako ( International Politics, University of Adelaide)

Recorded on 19th June, 2024.

More than a billion people across Asia have voted so far in 2024, in elections in India, Indonesia, South Korea, Taiwan and more, but outside of the main results the electoral processes and implications for democracy rarely attracted international headlines.

While voting is a key expression of democratic participation, during elections democratic ideals can be challenged. Many of these elections will have repercussions not just for citizens within these countries and the Asian region, but also for the quality of democracy and human rights across the globe.

What can we learn from these elections in Asia? What can we expect from these countries and the leadership styles they represent? Is democracy healthy in Asia?

Speakers:

Kevin Magee AO (Former Australian Representative to Taiwan)

Dr Priya Chacko (Associate Professor of International Politics, University of Adelaide)

Professor Vedi Hadiz (Director and Professor of Asian Studies at the Asia Institute, University of Melbourne)

Dr Ruth Gamble (Senior Lecturer in History and Deputy Director of La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University) - Chair

Recorded 19th June, 2024.

There’s a theory that’s discussed in many circles of international relations: have we reached peak China? In a post-pandemic age in which it is struggling with development, confronted with an aging population, and a slowing economy, is China on the decline?

Guest: Professor Evan Medeiros (Penner Family Chair in Asian Studies, Georgetown University)

Recorded 28th May, 2024.

Slavery remains a problem in many countries across Asia, and the understanding of what makes a person vulnerable to this kind of exploitation continues to evolve. When it comes to disability, the links are less understood, and more research is needed to understand the barriers survivors with disabilities face when accessing remedies, justice and support.

The report:

Exploring the intersection between disability and trafficking in persons

www.aseanact.org/resources/tip-disability/

Guest: Dr Elisabeth Jackson (Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Human Security and Social Change, La Trobe University).

Recorded on 13th May, 2024.