Reclaiming and Defending the Commons in Southeast Asia
Two Round table discussions
Focus on the Global South, August 23
Southeast Asia’s fast growth is accompanied by increased inequality, concentration of wealth and assets in the higher income strata, and a steady erosion of the commons: natural, social, cultural and political. As the social, ecological and political costs of this development model rise, the question of how Southeast Asia’s booming economies could shift from their present trajectory to a more equitable, ecological and democratic path becomes all the more pressing.
What are the impacts of Southeast Asia’s economic boom on the region’s commons and peoples? What would a different economic, social, ecological and political Southeast Asia look like? Where are the opportunities for transformation, rebuilding and defending the commons, and Global South solidarity? Who are the emerging social movements and social actors?
Abstract is available from: <https://www.dropbox.com/s/lxomnit8qfowao0/RoundtableAbstract.pdf>
Focus on the Global South (Focus) invites conference participants to explore these questions in a two-part Round Table discussion, on August 23.
Round Table I (10:20-12:20): (CODE: 15) The State of the Commons in Southeast Asia
Venue: CUSRI-Conference Room
Moderator: Shalmali Guttal, Focus on the Global South
Impacts of the economic growth and development model on the commons:
Dr. Walden Bello, Member of the House of Representatives, Philippines
Democracy, public goods and citizenship:
Enrique Villanueva, Institute for Popular Democracy and Associative Water Centre of the Philippines.
Ecosystems, land and water:
Premrudee Daorong, TERRA, Thailand
Open discussion
Synthesis: Mary Anne Manahan, Focus on the Global South
Round Table II (13:20-15:20): (CODE: 16) Defending the Commons in Southeast Asia
Venue: CUSRI-Conference Room
Moderator: Dorothy Guererro, Focus on the Global South
The commons as lived, practiced and created by communities:
Nadya Karimasari, Serikat Petani Indonesia, Indonesia
Challenging and resisting the growth/development model:
Riza Damanik, Institute for Global Justice, Indonesia
Alternative Approaches to Territorial Waters (transforming political-social relationships):
Eduardo Climaco Tadem, Professor of Asian Studies, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Philippines
Open discussion
Synthesis: Clarissa Militante, Focus on the Global South
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