damn SEA democracy!

Rant rant rant.

I have been thinking talking breathing nothing but democracy and civil rights in SE Asia for the past week (only?!) and I am going rather batty.

Conversations with Yawningbread, Chong Kee, Samydorai, Mina Roces and others - and tab-saturated window upon window (nevermind if you're not a mac user) - are swimming around in my rapidly burning-out dendrites... gah.

See, I actually thought I was going somewhere when I had identified 4 key ideas I wanted to talk about --

Asian values / Confucianism

Power concentration in corporations

Democracy as a means to development

Implications on the SEA civil rights experience on global democracy

And now it seems I need to scrap 3 and talk about 1. ONE.

And I can't choose.

Some of you are going to get batty emails from me soon. (Don't mind me.)

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Police brutality in Azerbaijan

On behalf of a friend.

Dear friends

Today Azerbaijan and world witnessed another demonstration in protest of falcificated parliamentary elections of November 6 in Azerbaijan.

Please see these pictures of police brutality and see how members of the same nation treat each other.

http://www.azerphoto.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=59
If you think that police brutality against peaceful demonstation is something you totally oppose and if you are interested in becoming the one is willing to be part of global struggle for Democracy in Azerbaijan please reply to akbar_dash [at] yahoo [dot] com by putting IN in the Subject line.

I am curently compiling a list of people around the world who consider themselves IN the struggle for democracy in Azerbaijan,

Thank you so much,

Akbar

Check out an independent coverage of the story here, which includes a list of the journalists who were beaten photographing the incident.

Technorati: current affairs, politics, Azerbaijan, democracy

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Brazil, baby!

For those who don't yet know - I'll be going to Brazil next month!

It's for a conference on democracy and political participation. And ... I'll be speaking (!).

The topic is human rights and economic development. More specifically, a critique of the argument that civil rights should be suppressed for the sake of economic development, in the context of SE Asia. To grotesquely over-simplify, think LKY vs Amartya Sen. (Wouldn't I love to put the both of them in a room.)

I'm rather nervous, this being my first major speaking engagement - and on such a scale. It doesn't help that I'm speaking next to a Harvard academic and a World Bank consultant, or that my speech could potentially bring me libel threats, detention and/or other such whimsical treats from our grand Party.

Currently putting my speech together, so if you want to share with me your burning thoughts/input on the topic, send them merrily along to ipanema.garota [at] gmail.com .


Technorati: democracy, youth, civil rights, Southeast Asia

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Peace and Conflict

Was just doing a bit of prep reading on the above topic before the World Bank video conference in less than an hour, and came across this powerful para I feel compelled to share - which happens to be the opening to the UNESCO Integrated Framework of Action on Education for Peace, Human Rights and Democracy:

In a period of transition and accelerated change marked by the expression of intolerance, manifestations of racial and ethnic hatred, the upsurge of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, discrimination, war and violence towards those regarded as 'other' and the growing disparities between rich and poor, at international and national levels alike, action strategies must aim both at ensuring fundamental freedoms, peace, human rights, and democracy and at promoting sustainable and equitable economic and social development all of which have an essential part to play in building a culture of peace.

This calls for a transformation of the traditional styles of educational action.

Running really late. Add more later.

***
The video conference was not too bad. This second installment of the series was hosted by WB Singapore, and it was cool to hear the impressive presentations made by the young people there.

Although somewhat disorganised, some really important points emerged from the discussion. Like engagement of youth in peacebuilding. Like looking at the barriers to active citizenship among youth. Like the pressing refugee situation at the Thai-Burma border as well as in Cambodia, and that of displacement.

I was disturbed that there were no reps from Myanmar participating. I had so many questions I had wanted to ask them. Like about the ethnic Shan minority women who are copping such violent abuse from the military junta. And the government's aversion to democratic reform.

Lots of thoughts about this intense topic. I am thinking of a possible role that certain WB offices in Asia-Pacific could play in my SE Asia NGO's peacebuilding agenda. We'll see.


Technorati: World Bank, conflict, peace, UN, youth

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wtf, WTO?

The upcoming WTO meet in Hong Kong is set to be a monumental moment for developed world leaders to lift millions in developing countries out of poverty.

So far, progress has not been good: the EU's impressive proposal to cut EU farm subsidies by almost half has been met with acrimony from French farmers, who are proving to have quite a hold over Chiraq in the wake of racial riots just weeks before.

I feel so.. exasperated. This is a really important opportunity for the major trade blocs - EU, US, Japan - to make good with trade reform to do some kickAAS good for developing world agriculture.

In fact, it's probably greater access of agriculture to overseas markets that would be worth more to regions like Africa, than the doubling of aid and increased debt relief agreed by the G8 nations.

But of course politicians like to look like heroes when they talk about debt cancellation. So generous.

Still, I'm glad for folks like Peter Mandelson, EU trade commissioner and Rob Portman, US trade rep - who are showing good value on (respectively) advocating agri subsidy cuts, and emphasising the importance of breaking through the agri deadlock in order for talks to progress on other issues.

For the moment, to quote Oxfam's Phil Bloomer, "It's outrageous that Europe is trying to blame developing countries for the impasse when all they are doing is standing firm on essential reforms they were promised four years ago."

The thing with trade justice is, rich world leaders need to see that getting rid of subsidies isn't just being magnanimous to developing countries: it is really in their own interests when resources - like the billions in subsidies (30% of OECD agri spending!) - can be freed up for more productive uses where there is comparative advantage.

Also! It's just silly to spend so much on an industry that would thrive so much better in more suitable climates, creating loads of jobs at the same time. I leave you with a great para from Guardian's fair trade special report:

The trouble with trade talks is they rarely make headlines, except when there is a crisis. Many people find the subject tedious and complex. They should not. The issue is simple: it is immoral, and economic madness, to give (as the US does) huge subsidies to farmers to grow cotton, a labour intensive activity that could generate millions of jobs in Africa; also to grow sugar beet in Europe rather than in more favourable climates; and for Europe to subsidise cows by over $2 a day - a larger sum than half the world's human population lives on.

Check out also:

The Free Trade myth - from maketradefair.com

Guardian's collection of special reports on fair trade

Technorati: WTO, agriculture, trade, trade justice

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Dancing Rabbit

- the name of the eco-village and site of season finale of 30 Days.

I thought it was ingenious. Getting two of your average ravenously cosuming (not that I claim not to) Americans and look at sustainability from their eyes.

It was great to see a change in their attitudes towards green living, even if it only happened towards the end. The results of this gig were not as significant as I anticipated they would be, but that was perhaps too much expectaion for a social experiment of only 30 days. Green living is - a lifestyle.

Using typical young-ish people for the episode, people that this generation of Americans can probably relate to, made the message really relevant, I thought. Johari's angst about not being to use her non-biodegradable products was probably something that resounded with the vast majority of urbanite female (and male!) America - lol!

Watching this episode has made me think harder about going vegetarian, something I've thought about ever since coming into contact with the environment movement a few years back. I might do a phase-out thing, with reds first, then maybe whites... I dunno. I'm not ready to give up fish at this point. Organics perhaps? Options abound.

The last thing I want to do is identify as a "friend of the earth", and then not live an earth-friendly life.

Anyhow, I can't wait for Morgan Spurlock's next season of 30 Days! Spurlock, you rock.

Nuggets for all:

Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage

environmental movement - Wiki

Going Vego - Vegetarian Society

UN Division for Sustainable Development

Australian Greens

Greenpeace International

Technorati: environment, 30 Days

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Extra at City Extra

Few nights ago, I was out having a late night supper at City Extra at Circular Quay.

In between talkative bites of my chicken panini, J pointed out a middle-aged guy sitting in the open-air area on the other side of the glass, alone. J's assessment of the guy was, "homeless": raggedy clothes, unkempt hair, tattered rucksack, staring blankly at food.

From where I sat, it was hard to make out his features, but he seemed to me a kindly old fellow enjoying his solitude and the simple pleasure of his croissant and tea.

J continued talking. Poor guy, he must feel so lonely.

My eyes had already started darting around the room for a napkin. Crap! Did I not bring my pen out? Rummage rummage. Ah, found it.

And started scribbling.

Hey mate! Just saw you from across the glass and thought you reminded me of an uncle I've got back in Singapore. Anyway, just wanted to send you a warm, sunshiney smile, because... because humanity could do with more of that sometimes eh. Also, just felt like saying that I think there's always a little good in people - sometimes it's just harder to see it!

Someone once told me something that touched me, and now I want to share it with you.

There's always a better tomorrow to look forward to. But *we* have to create that tomorrow for ourselves.

I wish for you a better tomorrow, mate. :)

Folded the napkin gently, and purposefully proceeded to where he was seated, and tapped him as he was getting ready to leave. I tried to get his name, so I could actually address the note to him.

"Why do you want my name?"

"Coz.. I wrote you a note, and I thought it'd be good to get your name."

"A note? Why'd you write me a note? You don't even know me. You should get to know people first.. don't assume things about people."

That last comment took me by surprise. I quickly did a mental scan of the train of thoughts going through my head as I was writing the note.

"Yeah.. I did write you a note, but... no, I didn't make any assumptions about you. You don't need any assumptions to send another human happy thoughts, right?" and I smiled at him warmly. And passed the note. And walked away.

From my angle, I couldn't see what he did with it. According to J, he read it for quite a while, then kept it in his pocket.

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Damaged Goods

I was touched by a poem I received in an email today.

Poem by Survivor of Trafficking


Trafficking - "Damaged Goods"

When the word "Damaged Goods," enters my mind,
I think of items being returned,
Mainly, shattered products,
Unable to bring a profit to the company . . .

Never imagined,
This product is a woman, man, or child.
Human auction surfaces its head;
The buying, selling and trading:
The pricing of people, even a child. .

The movie, “Human Trafficking”, was recently aired:
The spectrum of comments written by strangers
Permeated the message boards with certain racism....

The interwoven theme was not perceived:
Few got the MESSAGE!!!

I sit here with such anger and sadness for the victims:
The continual blame being tossed around while
Men are labeled as the prime perpetrator

People exclaiming with voices raised:
“My country doesn't allow this!”

Listen to my emphatic message;
Every country is infiltrated and affected!!!
Buying, Selling, and Trading People;
It happens within our very existence . . .

That’s the message,
And to my dismay very few understood it . . .

Anger erupted inside of me,
As I hear the painful echoes within my head.
The cries for help from ten years past;
The anguish of voices for in various tongues.

How could I carry their voices to justice?
How can I surface their tears to the public?

I could wear the shoes of movie critics,
Pointing out flaws and mistakes in the production.
My gratitude swells in that “Human Trafficking”
Has brought awareness to the unaware.

I join the voices of many like me; the incarcerated victims from many states.

The warehouses and basements of casinos and such;

Areas where no one would think to search.

Transported like cattle
On warehouse trucks,
And yet I kept going
To the tune of my critics?

It exists, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Wake up! Open your eyes!

Have I descended into the stockpile of
"Damaged Goods?"

####

By: Chong N. Kim
10-31-05

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Straight outta Castro

I loved loved loved this week's episode of 30 Days.

It was the beautiful creation of the Gay/Straight Alliance, so to speak.

The bit that really got me - ok, there were 2 - was when Ryan (redneck state) first met the boys at dinner, and started talking about how it's just wrong for 2 guys to be married .. marriage is from God, it cannot become a same-sex thing.. -

And the contrast of that, to the scene where he was unpacking his stuff, after having arrived back home - and sharing his perspective on how far he'd come, when he heard the things his family was saying about "the gays".

Actually, no - it's the scene where he goes for the PFLAG meeting, and for the first time gets how human even gay kids are (!) - from a parent's perspective.

Ok, I'll admit the speech bit towards the end of Ryan's stay in the Castro, at the wine + cheese party (mmm...) was a little too perfect and just a tad cheesy (pun not intended).

But what Ryan said at the end of it, made it all worth it.

Oh!! Can I just say, the gay bar scene (film, not social) was sooo funny! Seeing Ryan take his top off and dancing the way he did - on the podium in a gay club - was bare-ly bare-able.


Technorati: Spurlock, 30 Days, gay, GLBT

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Transition to Citizenship

Doesn't sound mersmerisingly creative, but that's this (penultimate) week's theme of the World Bank's WDR07¹ youth consultations.

Just sent off my contribution for the week, and thought it might be worth sticking it up here.

***

> 1. As a young person how do you wish to be involved and participate in
> public activities, including governance, decision-making and policy-making?
> What hindrances do you face when trying to participate in political and
> social life? How can you overcome them?

The first instinct would be to say "youth consultation". I think this mechanism has been practiced in several European and North American countries, and Singapore has also emulated it in recent years.

However, no matter which region you come from, there is the risk that (depending on the politicians directing the consultations) this becomes a tokenistic exercise. That is, to hold youth consultation for the sake of telling the press "we consult our youth on policy" rather than actually listening to us. This is where I think accountability measures need to be put in place, and more strongly enforced where they already exist. Like, you've consulted your youth - so what? Is there anything to show that youth concerns are being incorporated in national strategies? This is what I mean by accountability.

One way of ensuring ongoing youth input to policy-level decision-making is by formalising youth input into consulation mechanisms, this way, it is not only at the intelligence-gathering level that youth are allowed to speak, but further into formulation and perhaps even recommendations on policy text. But this is just one example - other areas of decision-making could also likewise formalise the structures for youth involvement.

Apart from tokenism from government, another 3 obstacles which have been mentioned are negative attitudes towards youth credibility, power-hungriness of authorities, and apathy from our own peers. The point I wanted to highlight was youth apathy.

I think there is somehting youth can do to target all 3 obstacles, and that is: to coordinate ourselves in an organised manner. And that must start by targeting youth apathy. By joining youth organisations and movements, we are adding our voice to the body that demands attention to youth concerns. It is only through numbers that we can build clout - Masahiko-chan has alluded to this. Sometimes, undemocratic governments will try to ignore us, but it does not change the fact that we are often more than 40% of the population. How does a nation ignore almost half of the country?

Also, being organised is very effective for building legitimacy in the public opinion; when they see that youth really care about certain issues, and are willing to put in time and effort for their cause, it develops a credibility that is hard to ignore.


> 2. What Practical solutions do you have for the problems experienced? How do
> you view ICTs as tools of transition to citizenship?

I've suggested some solutions above; as for ICTs - it is certainly very important and is crucial for democracy and e-governance. I don't need to list the obvious cost and outreach benefits of ICTs, but what I will raise is the reminder that a lot of our rural peers do not have such a luxury. In this regard, further investment in ICT infrastructure is necessary for greater youth participation and a stronger democracy.

Another consideration, even if ICT investment is increased, is the issue of censorship. Certain Asian countries (I will not name) practice censorship of varying degrees, and these tend also to have less-than-excellent civil rights records. So then it is important to think beyond ICT when organising a youth voice, and be creative in pushing the boundaries in our respective societies for more political freedom. (Of course this is easier said than done.)


> 4. Do you trust your government? How would you like it to be run? How would
> you like to be involved in governance? What changes would your like to see
> your government carry out?

I could be put in jail for answering this question in Singapore! Seriously though, I trust that my government - I say this with much generalisation and MUCH reservation - wants the best for my country. However there are issues with distribution of power, and the only one ruling party that has ever run Singapore is unwilling to yield to "western" democratic practices, decrying it as westernisation in a culturally negative way.

I would like my govt to be more democratic and transparent. I want my country's leaders to be accountable to the people, and to actually genuinely consult public opinion on all issues possible. I would like to be involved in advocating youth priorities in various issues in ways that the govt takes seriously and actually values (yes, I am idealistic). Finally, I would like them to respect fundamental civil and political rights to free expression. This is my dream. (And I'll keep dreaming as long as it takes!)


> 3. As a citizen do you believe that it is justifiable to use violence to
> achieve political or social goals? What other responsible options are
> available to you? Do they work?

No. At no point do I feel there exists any justification for violence to achieve political or social goals. If for whatever cause you may think is noble, you end up betraying peace itself and harm other fellow human beings, then (I feel) you have really lost the plot.

Other responsible options? I think this is very culture- and context- dependent. For example in developed nations I would say that creative non-violent street theatre may be a creative way of working towards certain goals, whereas in others, there may need to be a lot more effort and time invested into grassroots education and mobilising, peer-to-peer/community awareness campaigns that take time to build - and to see any difference.


> 5. Do you believe you are a full citizen of your country? How do you
> participate in your country's affairs? Do you belong to any forums?

I do believe I am a full citizen of my country - because I love Singapore. Yet I do not know if Singapore loves me. This is actually a sentiment of many Singapore youth who have gone overseas to study - they are more vocal on political/social issues but the govt does not like that because it "disrupts the peace and internal security of the country".

As for participation in country affairs, I was involved in Singapore's landmark youth consultation exercise, where some youth recommendations were actually implemented (of course none of it had to do with civil rights). I am also currently setting up a Singapore youth Council to represent and advocate for the voice of Singapore youth, in policy matters. Wish me luck!


¹ World Development Report 2007

Technorati: World Bank, youth, development, civil liberties

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It's all relative

My dear friend Vince, on the powers of the World Bank. It's a hoot.


***

vincent says: (6:18:45 PM)
   world bank balddy broke lah.

garota says: (6:19:06 PM)
   lol

garota says: (6:19:14 PM)
   yeah, that's a new one

garota says: (6:19:34 PM)
   but it's all specific to development issues

garota says: (6:19:42 PM)
   like we're not aiming to cover everything to do with youth

garota says: (6:19:52 PM)
   just youth in developemnt strategies

vincent says: (6:19:43 PM)
   take 2 percent of exxonmobil 3rd qtr profits and give paktistians and bladdy UN they wont have to keep begging

garota says: (6:20:14 PM)
   lol!!!

garota says: (6:20:19 PM)
   that cracks me up

vincent says: (6:20:36 PM)
   totally Fuck them...exxonmobil execs..go to hell..and i mean it

vincent says: (6:21:06 PM)
   FUCK THEM!!!! ..just piss me offf....

garota says: (6:21:12 PM)
   lol

vincent says: (6:21:17 PM)
   waw..feel better..haha..no lor..seriouslly..

vincent says: (6:21:58 PM)
   100 billion in 3rd qtr profits....! riduclous...

vincent says: (6:22:14 PM)
   anywayz....lost focus...sorry carried away

garota says: (6:23:03 PM)
   no worries man

vincent says: (6:24:07 PM)
   like everywhere.....in the business times...and some freaking execs came out and said .... there's nothing wrong with making profits...

garota says: (6:24:18 PM)
   wah

vincent says: (6:24:25 PM)
   its bush lor...

garota says: (6:24:26 PM)
   do they do anything good with the profits

garota says: (6:24:31 PM)
   like any community program

garota says: (6:24:34 PM)
   CSR

vincent says: (6:25:04 PM)
   probably....like they have good coporate citizenship or some crap like tht lah..

vincent says: (6:25:24 PM)
   come on!!!.no matter how good a coporate zitizen you are....

vincent says: (6:26:17 PM)
   when your 3rd qtr profits are more than the arab nations GDP combine...you are MORE than just a good coporate citizen lor..

vincent says: (6:27:05 PM)
   and thts all in a short span of 3 months...every month you report NET earnings of 35 USD billion..

garota says: (6:27:28 PM)
   hmm

vincent says: (6:27:33 PM)
   can solved alot of world problems know....

garota says: (6:27:34 PM)
   that is so much money

vincent says: (6:27:43 PM)
   buy aids viaacine..for 2-3 yrs..

garota says: (6:27:55 PM)
   it's a bit obscene - would be so good if they had decided to put (more of) it to good use

vincent says: (6:28:29 PM)
   clear combodia of landmines FREAKING entirely

vincent says: (6:28:29 PM)
   it wont......it'll be used to build more oil rigs and exploration projects.

garota says: (6:28:43 PM)
   aegh

garota says: (6:28:46 PM)
   THAT pisses me off

vincent says: (6:29:02 PM)
   even if they pump 400million..say.....to do community projects etc....thts like shit lor

vincent says: (6:29:18 PM)
   thts y i say world bank is bladdy broke

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