A child shall have the right to Children have the right to think for The ASEAN Ministers of Social Welfare and freedom of expression; this right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of the child’s choice. – Article 12, Convention on the Rights of the A Child
In recent years, Southeast Asia has become an emerging hub for a vibrant contemporary art scene. The rapid growth of the region’s creative industries has given birth to many creative spaces and galleries, providing platforms for local artists to develop and showcase their work.
UNICEF says approximately one billion children are at an “extremely high risk” of the impacts of the climate change crisis. Research has shown that children born now will face much more extreme weather and other climate disasters than their grandparents experienced in their lifetimes.
The ASEAN asked children in the region about the impact of global warming on their families and communities and how they can help stop it.
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, ASEAN Member States have seen school closures impacting more than 152 million children in the Southeast Asian region (Thomas, 2022). School closures and the sudden transition from face-to-face to digital modalities have resulted in significant learning loss and socio-emotional challenges for teachers and learners.
1.1 trillion hours of in-person learning lost
Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland, first woman Prime Minister of Norway, pioneered the concept of sustainable development and shaped its early agenda. She is a founding member of The Elders, the group of independent global leaders founded by Nelson Mandela in 2007 who work for peace, justice and human rights.
Dr. Brundtland served as Director General of the World Health Organization, UN Special Envoy for Climate Change, and led the World Commission on Environment and Development, also known as the Brundtland Commission. Dr. Brundtland shares with The ASEAN her views on the COVID-19 pandemic, current-day sustainable development issues, healthcare and women empowerment.
Scientists from Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Singapore clinched the prestigious ASEAN-US Science Prize for Women 2021 for their outstanding professional achievements. Taking the theme of “Clean Water and Clean Air,” the prize sought to recognise women scientists who have made significant strides towards addressing air pollution and facilitating people’s access to safe water and sanitation in the region. The ASEAN talked to the winners, Dr. Li Hongying (midcareer scientist category) and Dr. Neni Sintawardani (senior scientist category), and honourable mention, Dr Aduwati Sali (mid-career scientist category), about their journeys as researchers and their aspirations for women scientists in ASEAN.
