By AIT Public Affairs
27 June 2024: The Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) hosted a “Refugee Voices from Southeast Asia: Commemorating Refugee Day” workshop on 26 June 2024. This event was a collaborative initiative involving the Centre on Gender and Forced Displacement (CGFD)/Gender and Development Studies at AIT; Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS); and Asylum Access, Thailand (AAT).
The workshop highlighted the rising number of forcibly displaced individuals globally, driven by factors like natural disasters, climate change, environmental degradation, development-induced displacement, resource crisis, persecution, and conflicts. It critically examined the international refugee system’s ability to manage these displacements, the migration trends, extended conflicts, and the issue of prolonged homelessness.
Inaugurating the event, Prof. Nitin Kumar Tripathi, Acting Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA) at AIT, highlighted AIT’s efforts towards sustainable development. He emphasised that such collaborations benefit all stakeholders, enabling us to achieve more, and expressed interest in continuing to work together on these critical issues to make a significant difference.
From Left to Right: Prof. Nitin, Prof. Paula, Ms. Naiyana, and Ms. Nita
Giving her opening remarks, Ms. Naiyana Thanawattho, Executive Director of AAT, said, “Being a refugee is a temporary condition, not a defining characteristic. At AAT, we believe in the human rights of all individuals, including those experiencing forced displacement.”
Ms. Nita Bonita Prasetyo, Urban Education Project Director at JRS, added, “As we come together today, let us remember that refugees are not just statistics. They are our friends, our neighbours, and our fellow human beings. JRS is committed to accompanying, serving, and advocating for the cause of forcibly displaced persons.”
A significant focus was placed on analysing current refugee policies through the lens of the refugees’ lived experiences, the challenges they face during displacement, and their strategies for survival and coping. The discussions specifically targeted the Southeast Asian scenario, noting that most asylum seekers in the region are from Myanmar, with only the Philippines and Cambodia among ASEAN nations having acceded to the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol.
The workshop provided a platform for exchanging expertise and experiences, with contributions from forced migration specialists and first-hand accounts from refugees, presented through audio and visual means. The event also featured an academic session where speakers delved into issues related to forced migration, offering perspectives from various refugee groups, including the Rohingya. This was complemented by a round-table discussion with diverse stakeholders. Moreover, the event included an exhibition of photographs and stalls showcasing refugee handicrafts, art forms, and cuisine, celebrating refugee culture.
Professor Paula Banerjee, IDRC Endowed Research Chair and Director of CGFD, shared her insights on the occasion, emphasised the daily struggles faced by refugees and advocated for recognition of their resilience and dignity. “On this year’s Refugee Day, I want to emphasise that every day should be a day to acknowledge refugees. Refugees face enormous hardships, neglect, and humiliation daily in their lives of displacement. We recognise and empathise with their struggles, and we trust their narratives. Although many perceive refugees merely as victims, we recognise their remarkable qualities, such as courage, fortitude, and an indomitable spirit. A refugee woman can be a mother, a sister, a skilled nurse, a teacher, and an advocate. We salute them on this Refugee Day,” she remarked.
Prof. Mokbul Morshed Ahmad, Head of the Department of Development and Sustainability (DDS), said, “Every day should be a refugee day. In a rare event, AIT welcomes refugees to share their stories and skills, hosting many from UN bodies, INGOs, and local organisations working with refugees and displaced people.”
The workshop served as a forum for discussing critical issues affecting refugees and as a celebration of their contributions to society, fostering a deeper understanding and support for their plight in Southeast Asia.
