Videos

Asia Peace Initiatives Department

2021.02.05

Repression and Resilience: Migrant Workers’ Rights in East and Southeast Asia during COVID-19

Migrant workers have emerged as one of the most vulnerable populations during the COVID-19 pandemic. With this in mind, the Human Rights Working Group (HRWG) in Indonesia and the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF) embarked on an on-the-ground study to assess the conditions facing migrant workers in seven major destinations in Asia during the COVID-19 pandemic, culminating in the publication of the book Repression and Resilience: COVID-19 Response Measures and Migrant Workers’ Rights in Major East and Southeast Asian Destinations.

SPF spoke with the two leaders of this research project — Daniel Awigra, deputy director of HRWG, and Mariko Hayashi, current director of the Southeast and East Asian Center (SEEAC) and former SPF program officer — about the results of this research as well as their proposals for meaningful, cross-regional coordination between governments and civil society organizations to provide support for migrant worker populations during this and any future health emergencies.

For a written summary of this interview:
https://www.spf.org/en/spfnews/information/20210205.html

For more from the Asia Peace Initiatives Department, visit the program page:
https://www.spf.org/en/programs/asia-peace/
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Asia Peace Initiatives Department

2021.01.19

The Future of Democracy in Indonesia in a Post-COVID-19 World: Interview with Dr. Ilham Habibie

Dr. Ilham Habibie is the founder and chairman of the board for The Habibie Center, an independent think tank in Indonesia that seeks to support a democratic society through research and advocacy efforts around human rights, democratization, and innovation. Dr. Habibie spoke with SPF about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the future of democracy in Indonesia, challenges posed by social divisions in the country, as well as his vision for Indonesia and the region looking beyond the pandemic.

For a written summary of this interview:
https://www.spf.org/en/spfnews/information/20210119.html

For more from the Asia Peace Initiatives Department, visit the program page:
https://www.spf.org/en/programs/asia-peace/
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Ocean Policy Research Institute

2020.12.03

International Webinar “Ocean Panel’s policy recommendations" (December 3, 2020)

The Ocean Policy Research Institute of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (OPRI-SPF) headed by Dr. Atsushi Sunami co-organized the International Webinar “Ocean Panel’s policy recommendations: Promoting sustainable ocean economies and international partnership” with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan, in cooperation with the Embassy of the Republic of Palau in Japan and the Embassy of Norway in Japan on December 3, 2020.

This webinar was one of the webinars scheduled to take place on December 3 in the countries that are represented by their heads of states and government leaders who are the members of the "High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy" launched by the initiative of the Government of Norway. OPRI-SPF supports the panel as a member of its Advisory Network.

The webinars were held to disseminate the policy recommendations formulated by the High Level Panel. Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abo was a member of the Panel and Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has succeeded and acts as a member of the panel. At the webinar, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga made remarks, and Ambassador Keiichi Ono of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who acts as Sherpa for Prime Minister Suga, presented the panel's policy recommendations. Dr. Hide Sakaguchi, Managing Director, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), and other experts and stakeholders joined the webinar and discussed the ways to facilitate implementation of the recommendations along with future perspectives.

Overall program for this webinar →　https://www.spf.org/global-data/opri/20201203_OceanPanel.pdf
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Asia Peace Initiatives Department

2020.11.27

Challenges of Perception for Rohingya Refugees in Malaysia: The Impact of Social Media and COVID-19 Interview with Lilianne Fan, International Director of the Geutanyoe Foundation

Lilianne Fan is the International Director of the Geutanyoe Foundation, a nonprofit organization that seeks to work with and empower refugees and vulnerable communities in Southeast Asia, as well as chair of the Rohingya Working Group in the Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network. Ms. Fan spoke with SPF about the ongoing challenges facing Rohingya refugee populations in Malaysia in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact of social media on perceptions of refugee groups, as well as areas for further collaboration and policy development by local, national, and international actors.

For a written summary of this interview:
https://www.spf.org/en/spfnews/information/20201127.html

For more from the Asia Peace Initiatives Department, visit the program page
https://www.spf.org/en/programs/asia-peace/
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Ocean Policy Research Institute

2020.11.20

Virtual Oceans Action Day 2020

In addition to taking stock of progress on oceans and climate issues towards UNFCCC COP26 in Glasgow, the event will capture the outcomes of the discussions to take place at the Ocean and Coastal Zones Thematic Group Race-to-Zero November Dialogues under the Marrakech Partnership on 12 November 2020. It will also provide a platform for climate and ocean leaders to present their visions and ambitions towards the virtual UNFCCC SBSTA ocean and climate change dialogue to consider how to strengthen adaptation and mitigation action to be held from 2 to 3 December 2020.

Moreover, VOAD 2020 is intended to be an occasion where panelists share stories of discovering how stakeholders in the global oceans and climate community are responding boldly to Covid-19 and its disastrous impacts. VOAD 2020 aims to bring us together in communal learning for survival and inspire us to greater action in the ocean climate action pathway to zero emissions. It is an opportunity for us to: 1) refocus interest in our current efforts to combat climate change with a renewed motivation; and 2) stimulate ideas for partnership and other collaborative initiatives.

VOAD 2020 is being organized by the Global Ocean Forum; Ocean Policy Research Institute of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, Japan; Oceano Azul Foundation, Portugal; Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO; Ocean and Climate Platform; Conservation International; and International Union for Conservation of Nature, in association with the Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action.
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Asia Peace Initiatives Department

2020.10.27

Webinar: Launch event for Accord No.29 “Pioneering peace pathways” and new report on public attitudes in Japan towards peacebuilding and dialogue with armed groups

SPF in collaboration with Conciliation Resources (CR), a UK-based organization specializing in peace mediation support, held an online launch event on October 15, 2020 to present two new publications, “Pioneering Peace Pathways: Making connections to end violent conflict” and a new report, “Public support for peacebuilding: Public attitudes in Japan towards peacebuilding and dialogue with armed groups.”

The first publication, “Pioneering Peace Pathways: Making connections to end violent conflict,” is the latest edition of CR’s Accord publication series. This publication explores the essential ingredients necessary to foster peace dialogue in violent conflict, the ways that societies and conflict parties can try to move from fighting to talking, and strategies for policymakers and peace practitioners to accompany and effectively support conflicting parties.

SPF and CR are also launching a new report, “Public support for peacebuilding: Public attitudes in Japan towards peacebuilding and dialogue with armed groups,” which outlines the results from a public opinion survey on attitudes towards peacebuilding conducted in Japan in December 2019. This survey found that the majority of Japanese people support peacebuilding activities including dialogue with armed groups.

To view the full event listing:
https://www.spf.org/en/seminar/list/20201015.html

“Accord 29: Pioneering Peace Pathways: Making connections to end violent conflict”
https://www.c-r.org/accord/pioneering-peace-pathways
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Asia Peace Initiatives Department

2020.10.22

Accord 29: Pioneering Peace Pathways and Japan’s Role in Peace Mediation Support Interview with Cate Buchanan, Mediation and Process Design Specialist

Cate Buchanan is a mediation and process design specialist who works across many organizations including the UN Special Envoy office as well as nongovernmental organizations such as the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, Conciliation Resources (CR), and others. Ms. Buchanan shared with SPF the primary themes from the latest publication and her thoughts on the role for organizations like SPF as well as Japan more broadly in supporting peace initiatives around the world.
Japan-U.S. Program

2020.09.15

What is Happening in California? The Coronavirus Pandemic and Other Challenges: Video Interview Series with Asian American State Legislators No. 10

What is happening in the United States as the country continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic? To take a closer look at the latest developments at the local level including efforts to reopen businesses, discrimination against Asian Americans, the Black Lives Matter Movement, and more, this interview series showcases conversations with state-level legislators who discuss the challenges and opportunities they are seeing on the ground. The sixth installment in this series features California State Assembly Member, Rob Bonta in an interview conducted on September 9, 2020.
Japan-U.S. Program

2020.09.11

What is Happening in Texas? The Coronavirus Pandemic and Other Challenges: Video Interview Series with Asian American State Legislators No. 9

What is happening in the United States as the country continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic? To take a closer look at the latest developments at the local level including efforts to reopen businesses, discrimination against Asian Americans, the Black Lives Matter Movement, and more, this interview series showcases conversations with state-level legislators who discuss the challenges and opportunities they are seeing on the ground. The sixth installment in this series features Texas State Representative Gene Wu in an interview conducted on August 20, 2020.
Japan-U.S. Program

2020.09.08

What is Happening in Nevada? The Coronavirus Pandemic and Other Challenges: Video Interview Series with Asian American State Legislators No. 8

What is happening in the United States as the country continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic? To take a closer look at the latest developments at the local level including efforts to reopen businesses, discrimination against Asian Americans, the Black Lives Matter Movement, and more, this interview series showcases conversations with state-level legislators who discuss the challenges and opportunities they are seeing on the ground. The sixth installment in this series features Nevada State Assemblywoman Rochelle Nguyen in an interview conducted on August 11, 2020.