Southeast Asia Regional Dynamics and International Linkages Conference
For planning purposes, please let us know if you will attend all or part of the conference on March 7 by registering here.
8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Registration and Coffee
9:00 a.m. - 9:15 a.m.
Welcome
9:15 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.
Panel 1: James C. Scott Panel on Modern Southeast Asian History
Moderator: Professor Sugata Bose (Harvard University)
Speakers: Professor Ronit Ricci (Hebrew University of Jerusalem), Professor Eric Tagliacozzo (Cornell University)
This panel will discuss innovative trends in the writing of modern Southeast Asian history, particularly in the context of the Indian Ocean’s inter-regional ties, which link Southeast Asia to South Asia and the Middle East.
11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Panel 2: Health and Climate Change in Southeast Asia
Moderator: David B. Duong, MD, MPH (Harvard Medical School)
Speakers: Vincenzo Bollettino (Harvard Humanitarian Initiative), Derek Cabe (Connecting Climate Minds, Philippines), Jemilah Mahmood (Sunway University), Bach Tran (Hanoi Medical University)
This panel will examine how climate change disproportionately affects health outcomes in Southeast Asia, including disease patterns, food security, and health system resilience. It will highlight the role of regional collaboration and community engagement in addressing these challenges.
1:30 - 3:00 p.m.
Panel 3: Economic Development Opportunities and Challenges in Southeast Asia
Moderator: Jay Rosengard (Harvard Kennedy School)
Panelists: Meg Rithmire (Harvard Business School), Krislert Samphantharak (UC San Diego), Gita Wirjawan (Stanford University)
This panel will focus on the economic aspirations of Southeast Asian countries, particularly the struggle to escape the middle-income trap and achieve robust, sustainable, and inclusive growth. Panelists will explore: promotion of public sector, private sector, and community collaboration; adaptation to a global digital economy; coping with climate change and energy decarbonization; identification of converging national and regional interests; leveraging of intra-ASEAN cooperation in trade of goods and services, capital flows, and human capital mobility; and utilization of ASEAN to promote regional peace and security.
3:15 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.
Panel 4: Democratic Resilience and Civil Society
Moderator: Tarek Masoud (Harvard Kennedy School)
Panelists: Doreen Lee (Northeastern University), Dan Slater (University of Michigan), Tom Pepinsky (Cornell University), Meredith Weiss (University at Albany)
This panel will compare democratic resilience and fragility across Southeast Asia and the Middle East, focusing on the role of religion in shaping political landscapes. The discussion will explore how these regions navigate the complexities of democracy, governance, and religion.
4:45 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Closing Remarks