Past Panels
The Flow of Time
2023
Southeast Asia has always been characterized by fluidity and flux — from the winding water bodies that form the life-blood of the region, to the shifting geopolitical boundaries that have been shaped by forces as diverse as patron-client politics and colonialism. This near-constant ebb and flow manifests itself in the myriad constructions of Southeast Asia that have existed across time, each defined by the unique perspectives of those in power. Each panel engaged with a different iteration of Southeast Asia, with the ultimate aim of appreciating the region in all its possibilities, and envisioning a new Southeast Asia for all.
Native Tongues
2022
Each country in Southeast Asia has its own native tongue(s) — the language(s) common to those who born and raised there. Our panels for this inaugural cycle of the program revolved around core ideas encapsulated in regional colloquialisms, grounded in the awareness that the linguistic quirks of each country - which reflect wider, cultural idiosyncrasies - yield valuable inroads into understanding the region. They thus serve as unique starting points for reflecting on and engaging with our region.