Strengthening Indo-Pacific Collaboration for Development

Workshop for Think Tank and Academia Opinion Leaders from Quad and ASEAN countries

Strengthening Indo-Pacific Collaboration for Development

In conjunction with the inauguration of DCN's East Asia Hub, a workshop on Indo-Pacific cooperation, encompassing digital transformation alongside other areas of social and economic development, will be hosted  by World Learning in collaboration with DCN on June 7-8, 2024. 

As part of a Quad exchange program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State Office of Citizen Exchanges, the final phase broadens participation beyond the initial fellows to include young scholars and researchers from ASEAN country think tanks, with a dedicated emphasis on development.

Background

Over the past year, the Quad exchange program, aimed at fostering collaboration among young scholars and researchers from the United States, Australia, India, and Japan, has traversed various nations and sectors. From the U.S. to Japan, India, and now Australia, the program has explored critical themes encompassing national security as well as collaboration on emerging technologies, climate, healthcare, supply chain resilience, and infrastructure. Throughout these phases, the focus has been on raising awareness, building common ground, and laying the groundwork for concrete cooperation.

Bali segment

As the final event following programs in all four Quad countries, the Bali segment aims to broaden the program's geographic and thematic scope. It seeks to integrate young scholars and researchers from ASEAN, with a focus on social development priorities and actions for regional impact.

Key fields of interest in Bali can include development cooperation frameworks, environment, energy transition, critical technologies, infrastructure, supply chain, digital public services, maritime security and law enforcement, and public health. The program aims to brainstorm areas of cooperation yielding tangible outcomes benefiting the wider Indo-Pacific populace. The two-day event will be structured as a conference comprising talks, panel discussions, and interactive working sessions.

Collaboration

The Bali gathering will include initial exchange participants from Quad countries, and representatives from ASEAN think tanks or academia, aged 25-40, specializing in the mentioned topics. ASEAN countries represented are Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.  Following these exchanges, participants intend to collaboratively produce newsletters, reports, and podcasts, and organize events at their respective think tanks. These initiatives aim to foster ongoing discussions and potential collaborations among the broader participant networks.

SCHEDULE

JUNE 6

Day 1

June 7, 2024

9:00 - 9:30

Welcome and Introduction 

First-day hosts: Lucas Myers and Saya Kiba  

9:30-10:30

Indo Pacific Multilateralism Framework in the Context of Quad – ASEAN Relations

 

Exploring the evolving dynamics of Indo-Pacific multilateralism within the Quad – ASEAN framework, this session delves into the intricacies of regional cooperation and the challenges faced in navigating geopolitical complexities.

 

Moderator: Lucas Myers, Senior Associate for Southeast Asia, U.S.   

Speakers 

  • Muhamad Haripin, Researcher, National Agency for Research and Innovation, Indonesia  
  • Gaurav Saini, Co-Founder Fellow & Lead, Operations and Strategy, Council for Strategic and Defense Research, India
  • Haruko Satoh, Specially Appointed Professor, Osaka University, Japan
  • Yohanes Sulaiman, Associate Professor in International Relations, Universitas Jenderal Achmad Yani, Indonesia 

 

 

 

10:30-11:00

Coffee Break

11:00-12:00

Panel Discussion: Maritime Security Challenges and Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific

This panel addresses the evolving maritime security landscape in the Indo-Pacific, exploring the challenges posed by non-traditional security threats and the prospects for regional cooperation in ensuring maritime stability.

Moderator: Jennifer Hong, Senior Director, The Project 2049 Institute, U.S.  

Speakers:

  • Don McLain Gill, Lecturer, De La Salle University, The Philippines 
  • Senia Febrica, Knowledge Exchange Associate, One Ocean Hub, University of Strathclyde, Scotland 
  • Tharishini Krishnan, Senior Lecturer, National Defense University Malaysia, Malaysia
12:00–13:00

Panel Discussion: Emerging Technologies and Social Development

This panel explores the transformative potential of emerging technologies in addressing social challenges and advancing inclusive development agendas, highlighting the opportunities and risks associated with technological innovation.

Moderator:  Haruko Satoh, Specially Appointed Professor, Osaka University, Japan  

Speakers:

  • Sodanid Phuong, Young Research Fellow, Future Forum, Cambodia 
  • Lalita Bounleuth, Fellow, American Center Vientiane, Laos 
  • Nadia Payo, Lecturer, Yala Rajabhat University, Thailand  
13.00-14.00

Lunch Break 

14.00-15.00

Panel Discussion: Health and Disaster Management for Social Development

This panel explores the intersection of health and disaster management in promoting social development and resilience. It will analyze strategies for enhancing preparedness and response mechanisms to mitigate the impacts of disasters on vulnerable communities.

Moderator: Akilnathan Logeswaran, International Tech Engagement Lead, Doctors Without Borders

Speakers:

  • Jae Han Tan, Senior Officer, Doctors Without Borders, Malaysia
  • Ueamduean Salvador, Senior Officer, Doctors Without Borders, Thailand 
  • Sania Elizabeth, Digital Communications Officer, Indonesia
15.00-16.00

Facilitating an Open Dialogue on Realities, Perceptions, and Opportunities for Collaboration Regarding the Quad

Moderated by Lucas Myers and Saya Kiba, engaging the whole audience 

Day 2

June 8, 2024 

Ηosts: Gaurav Saini and Liz Morrison 

09.30-10.30

Panel Discussion: Climate Change and the Security Narrative

This panel explores the intersection of climate change and social support mechanisms, analyzing the vulnerabilities exposed by environmental crises and strategies for building resilience and adaptive capacity.

Moderator: Liz Morrison, Climate Initiatives Lead, The Australia Institute, Australia 

Speakers:

  • Vrameswari Omega Wati, Assistant Professor, Parahyangan Catholic University, Indonesia 
  • Dessy Rosalina, Climate Change Communication Researcher, Monash Climate Change Research Hub, Indonesia 

 

10.30-11.30

Critical Infrastructure in the Indo-Pacific Region

This session examines the significance of critical infrastructure in promoting regional connectivity and resilience, emphasizing the need for sustainable and inclusive development strategies.

Moderator: Gaurav Saini, Co-Founder Fellow & Lead, Operations and Strategy, Council for Strategic and Defense Research, India 

Speakers: 

  • Kevin Chen, Associate Research Fellow, The S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Singapore 
  • Keith Paolo Landicho, Associate Research Fellow, The S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies,  The Philippines 
11.30-12.00

Coffee Break 

12.00-13.00

Panel Discussion: The Role of Nongovernmental Voices in Contributing to Indo-Pacific Cooperation

 

This panel examines the role of think tanks and other civil society organizations in fostering social development through research, policy advocacy, and knowledge dissemination-- emphasizing their contribution to informed decision-making and inclusive growth.

 

Moderator: Saya Kiba, Associate Professor and Research Committee Member, Research Institute for Peace and Security (RIPS), Japan

Speakers:

  • Melinda Martinus, Lead Researcher, ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute Singapore, Singapore 
  • Tin Mung Htwe, Researcher, Chiang Mai University, Myanmar 
  • Ava Kalinauskas, Research Associate,  United States Studies Centre, Australia
13.00-14.00

Panel Discussion: Energy Security in the ASEAN Region

This panel examines the complexities of energy security in the ASEAN region, analyzing the geopolitical dynamics and policy imperatives shaping the energy landscape and their implications for regional stability and development.

Moderator: Shu Uchida,  Associate Professor, Waseda University, Japan 

Speakers:

  • Julie de los Reyes, Assistant Professor, Kyoto University, The Philippines 
  • Devyani Chaturvedi, Research Analyst, National University of Singapore
  • Takahiro Kamisuna, Visiting Fellow, CSIS Indonesia
14.00-15.00

Lunch Break 

15.00-16.00

Panel Discussion: Envisioning a 'Quad Plus': Path to Grander Cooperation or Competition?

This panel delves into the complexities of Indo-Pacific cooperation amidst great powers competition, analyzing the strategic imperatives and challenges faced by regional stakeholders in navigating geopolitical dynamics.

Moderator: Eerishika Pankaj, Director and Head of Research, Organisation for Research on China and Asia (ORCA), India 

Speakers:

  • Aletheia Kerygma Burgos Valenciano, Assistant Professor, University of the Philippines, The Philippines
  • Angeline Tan, Analyst, ISIS Malaysia, Malaysia
  • Jaewoo Choo, Professor, Kyung Hee University, South Korea 
  • Manoj  Harjani, Research Fellow, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies,  Singapore 
16.00-17.00

Open Discussion on Opportunities for Collaboration. Participants will briefly discuss their current work and explore collaborative initiatives.

 

Moderated by Gaurav Saini and Liz Morrison, engaging the whole audience 

Speakers

Elizabeth Morison
Elizabeth Morison
Researcher, The Australia Institute, Canberra, Australia
Ava Kalinauskas
Ava Kalinauskas
Research Associate, United States Studies Centre, Australia
Tin Mung Htwe
Tin Mung Htwe
Researcher, Chiang Mai University, Myanmar
Gaurav Saini
Gaurav Saini
Co-Founder, Fellow & Lead, Operations and Strategy Council for Strategic and Defense Research, West Delhi, India
Eerishika Pankaj
Eerishika Pankaj
Director and Head of Research, Organisation for Research on China and Asia (ORCA), New Delhi, India
Devyani Chaturvedi
Devyani Chaturvedi
Research Analyst, Institute of South Asian Studies National University of Singapore, India
Dessy Rosalina
Dessy Rosalina
Climate Change Communication Researcher, Monash Climate Change Research Hub, Indonesia
Vrameswari Omega Wati
Vrameswari Omega Wati
Assistant Professor, Social and Political Sciences, Parahyangan Catholic University, Indonesia
Senia Febrica
Senia Febrica
Knowledge Exchange Associate, One Ocean Hub, University of Strathclyde, Scotland
Melinda Martinus
Melinda Martinus
Lead Researcher, ASEAN Studies Centre ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute Singapore, Indonesia
Yohanes Sulaiman
Yohanes Sulaiman
Associate Professor in International Relations, Universitas Jenderal Achmad Yani, Indonesia
Fuadil 'Ulum
Fuadil 'Ulum
Researcher, Center for Political Studies, Universitas Indonesia
Muhamad Haripin
Muhamad Haripin
Researcher, Research Centre for Politics National Agency for Research and Innovation, Indonesia
Saya Kiba
Saya Kiba
Research Committee Member, Research Institute for Peace and Security (RIPS) Kobe, Japan
Shu Uchida
Shu Uchida
Associate Professor, Waseda University Tokyo, Japan
Haruko Satoh
Haruko Satoh
Specially Appointed Professor, Osaka University Osaka, Japan
Takahiro Kamisuna
Takahiro Kamisuna
Visiting Fellow, CSIS Indonesia, Japan
Lalita Bounleuth
Lalita Bounleuth
Fellow, American Center Vientiane, Laos
Tharishini Krishnan
Tharishini Krishnan
Senior Lecturer, National Defense University Malaysia, Malaysia
Wong Wai Khuen
Wong Wai Khuen
Doctorate Scholar, Multimedia University, Malaysia
Angeline Tan
Angeline Tan
Analyst, ISIS Malaysia, Malaysia
Aletheia Kerygma Valenciano
Aletheia Kerygma Valenciano
Assistant Professor, University of the Philippines
Deryk Matthew Baladjay
Deryk Matthew Baladjay
Research Manager, Amador Research Services, The Philippines
Karryl Kim Trajano
Karryl Kim Trajano
Research Fellow, Future Issues and Technology (FIT) The S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, The Philippines
Keith Paolo Landicho
Keith Paolo Landicho
Associate Research Fellow, The S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, The Philippines
Julie de los Reyes
Julie de los Reyes
Assistant Professor, Center for Southeast Asian Studies, Kyoto University, The Philippines
Kevin Chen
Kevin Chen
Associate Research Fellow, The S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Singapore
Manoj Harjani
Manoj Harjani
Research Fellow, Coordinator of Military Transformation Programme, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Singapore
Jaewoo Choo
Jaewoo Choo
Professor, Kyung Hee University, South Korea
Surachanee Sriyai
Surachanee Sriyai
Visiting Fellow, ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute Singapore, Thailand
Ueamduean Fiona Salvador
Ueamduean Fiona Salvador
Senior Officer, Doctors Without Borders / Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), Southeast & East Asia and Pacific, Thailand
Nadia Payo
Nadia Payo
Lecturer, Yala Rajabhat University, Thailand
Jennifer Hong
Jennifer Hong
Senior Director, The Project 2049 Institute Arlington, Virginia, U.S.
Lucas Myers
Lucas Myers
Senior Associate, Wilson Center, U.S.
Don McLain Gill
Don McLain Gill
Lecturer, Department of International Studies, De La Salle University, The Philippines
Akilnathan Logeswaran
Akilnathan Logeswaran
Lead, International Tech Engagement Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), Germany
Sania Elizabeth
Sania Elizabeth
Digital Communications Officer, Doctors Without Borders / Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), Indonesia

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