Towards a Sustainable Security for Asia and Europe

The Next Gen EU-ASEAN Think Tank Dialogue

This joint publication on security issues aims to serve as a platform for dialogue and exchange, and can help to build bridges between the two regions, particularly in areas where there may be divergent perspectives or approaches. By collaborating on research and analysis, ASEAN and EU research fellows can make recommendations for security cooperation between the two regions.

Digitalisation Interview Series 2023

Authors of "Data Security, Privacy and Innovation capability in Asia: Case Studies" explain the latest internet regulations and policies trends

During the launch event of "Data Security, Privacy and Innovation capability in Asia: Case Studies", we asked the authors to explain what the net neutrality, data sovereignty and democratisation of social media are, and here are their answers.

"The State of Southeast Asia"

In uneasy times, Europe sits among Southeast Asia's preferred partners

In early February, Singapore’s ISEAS - Yusuf Ishak Institute published its 2023 version of their annual State of Southeast Asia Survey. The survey assesses the views of over a thousand Southeast Asian experts, policymakers and practitioners on geopolitical developments, international affairs and how they gauge ASEAN's engagement with its Dialogue Partners. The survey includes good news for Europe. Not only is the EU a desired partner in general, but its particular capacities match up well with the ASEAN region's priorities.

Education for Sustainable Development

Education for Sustainable Development(ESD) provides a valuable framework and methodology to support the implementation and achievement of the SDGs, and ultimately help empower a learning society with knowledge, skills, values and attitudes to take informed decisions and make responsible actions for environmental integrity, economic viability while respecting cultural diversity. Do read on to learn about best practices challenges and perspective from different countries from both Asia and Europe

New Realities of Multilateralism

Panorama Insights into Asian and European Affairs

The prevailing view globally is that the challenges of the 21st century, such as increasing security threats, climate change or global health emergencies require collaborative multilateral action and solutions. Multilateral initiatives have been established as a response to these challenges, as exemplified by the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) or the Covax Vaccine Initiative to name some of the most recent ones. However, there is rising criticism of multilateral cooperation as being neither effective nor sufficient in generating sustainable solutions. In some cases, multilateral engagements have failed to prevent humanitarian crises as the world is currently witnessing in Afghanistan. In an interconnected world, it has also become increasingly difficult for regional organisations to pursue their integration goals amidst interfering intra- and extra-regional developments. Even though some experts proclaim the “death” of the multilateral system and at times countries retreat to unilateral or bilateral formats, the situation is more complex. Some multilateral institutions have come to a standstill, new ones have emerged while others have re-gained influence. 

Data Security, Privacy and Innovation Capability in Asia

Case Studies

This report surveys seven different Asian territories to deepen understandings of innovation and data policies, and contribute to debates about data governance and data protection. The study was carried out in collaboration with the National University of Singapore (NUS). We selected Hong Kong SAR, India, Japan, the People‘s Republic of China, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan as the contexts to be examined. We looked at the areas of transport, finance, administration, health and smart cities to understand how innovation and data policies are driven in the context of relationships among key stakeholders such as citizens, civil societies, government agencies, private sectors and research institutions.

Substantive Representation of Women in Asian Parliaments

Combining data from nearly 100 interviews with national parliamentarians from ten Asian countries, the contributors to this book analyze and evaluate the advancement of gender equality in Asia.

The Next Digital Decade: Case Studies from Asia

Volume 2 - Spaces and Futures

The Next Digital Decade: Case Studies from Asia, jointly published by KAS and Digital Asia Hub, contains two volumes of case studies written by a mixture of established and early career scholars from the region. The series focuses on diverse topics including digital public infrastructure, future of work, AI ethics, social media, cybersecurity, surveillance, e-commerce and much more.

Sri Lanka – An assessment of the Gotabaya Rajapaksa presidency

The autocratic structure is swaying

In November 2019, Gotabaya Rajapaksa was elected president of Sri Lanka. He comes from an influential family clan that has been in politics for decades. When running as candidate, Rajapaksa made three major promises: first, he promised to strengthen national security and fight terrorism. Second, he presented a proposal for a sustainable economic development and tax cuts in order to boost the economy. Third, he promised to strengthen unitary state – a long standing demand of the Sinhala-Buddhist majority population. Although the government enjoyed a honeymoon period in its initial months, there has been a drastic turnaround of support. Meanwhile, the public’s confidence in the government has eroded due to unpopular and ill-advised policies that has further plunged the economy. Not even three years following the commencement of the government´s term, the public´s confidence in the government has eroded due to unpopular and ill-advised policies leaving the country Sri Lanka in a desolated state. On May 9, then Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, the brother of the incumbent president, resigned to make way for a unity government amid a violent wave that left several people dead and wounded. With his resignation the current cabinet was automatically dissolved. However, Rajapaksa has announced he will not resign under any circumstances. Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan parliament has appointed 73-year-old Ranil Wickremesinghe to head the interim government before early elections are held. (The information in this report is relevant as of 26 May 2022.)

Political Parties Shape Democracy

Their role, performance, and organisation from a global perspective

Dr. Wilhelm Hofmeister