Student Forum 2021

ASEAN Program, Asian Research Center for International Development, School of Social Innovation, Mae Fah Luang University Faculty of Political Science and Public Administration, Chiang Mai University Chiang Mai University

ASEAN Program Special Seminar: 1st International Development and International Relations Student Forum 2021 “ASEAN and Asia in Challenges of Nonconventional Security and the Roles of US and China in Southeast Asia” © All Rights Reserved Editorial Team: Nichan Singhaputargun, Thanikun Chantra, Maya Dania, Reni Juwitasari and Yarinda Bechiku

First published in 2021 by ASIAN RESEARCH CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (ARCID) School of Social Innovation, Mae Fah Luang University 333 Moo1, Thasud, Muang, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand Tel: +66 5391 7137 Email: arcid.social-innovation.school@mfu.ac.th Website: https://socialinnovation.mfu.ac.th/social-main/social-arcid/arcid-index.html Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ARCIDTHAILAND

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Preface ASEAN was established five decades ago, with the signing of the Bangkok Declaration. Many doubted that in a region so diverse in people, cultures, and governance systems, at the peak of the Cold War, ASEAN would survive. Today, we live our regional experience in a “Community of Opportunities” accumulated and promoted through five decades of ASEAN cooperation and integration inside and outside the region.

However, over the years, nontraditional security has become a threat for ASEAN. These threats have increasingly emerged in the region based on human rights, democracy, conflict, violence, environmental issues, and recently the Covid-19 Pandemic with ASEAN countries. At the same time that ASEAN has to cope with these threats, ASEAN has to balance its position and manage its regional affairs wisely through outward-looking strategy with external parties among great powers, namely the US and China, to maintain regional economic development and security stability in ASEAN. In this regards, the ASEAN Program, Asian Research Center for International Development, School of Social Innovation, Mae Fah Luang University is honored to host for the first time “The 1st International Development and International Relations Student Forum 2021” (IDIRSF 2021) entitled “ASEAN and Asia in Challenges of Nonconventional Security and the Roles of US and China in Southeast Asia.” This event is established as an academic learning and sharing platform for both students who study in international development at the School of Social Innovation, Mae Fah Luang University (MFU), and students who study in international relations, at the School of International Affairs, the Faculty of Political Science and Public Administration, Chiang Mai University (CMU) on the issues of ASEAN, NonTraditional Security in ASEAN, Southeast Asia Regionalism, and the role of great powers, e.g., the US and China in ASEAN. In this event also provides a special talk on the “Mekong-US Partnership” by the US Consulate General Chiang Mai and American Corner Activities representative from the US Embassy Bangkok representative. Following that, there is a panel session on the topic “ASEAN and Asia in Challenges of Non-Conventional Security and the Roles of US and China in Southeast Asia” by MFU and CMU lecturers. At the last session, students also have an opportunity to present their mini-research and reflection together among students and lecturers from both universities, divided into five themes; regional dynamics, SDGs and Sustainable Development, Security Challenges, Regional Trade and Cooperation, and COVID and New Challenges.

On behalf of Mae Fah Luang University, we look forward to the 2nd International Development and International Relations Forum to be hosted next year at Chaing Mai University.

Nichan Singhaputarugn, Ph.D. Head of ASEAN Program, Asian Research Center for International Development School of Social Innovation Mae Fah Luang University

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Preface Greetings!

Southeast Asia is confronting a lot of challenges. The rivalry between the U.S., China and Japan is now transforming regional economic and political arrangements. This shapes the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS), where superpowers actively engage in a wide range of economic and political contributions to support regional development. To understand this dynamic, the School of Social Innovation (MFU), in collaboration with the American Corner at Chiang Mai University and the School of International Affairs, decided to collaborate to organize “the First International Development and International Relations Student Forum 2021” under the theme of “ASEAN and Asia in Challenges of Nonconventional Security and the Roles of US and China in Southeast Asia.”

The Forum brought students from different backgrounds to present their ideas of challenges in the region. It was a good opportunity for them to practice their soft skills and raise awareness of nontraditional security issues in the region. This is the first step of our collaboration! I anticipate more collaboration between MFU and CMU so that students can have more opportunities to connect, discuss and learn from each other.

See you next time in Chiang Mai!

Narut Charoensri, Ph.D. Assistant Dean of Research Promotion and Academic Development Lecturer in International Relations School of International Affairs, Faculty of Political Science and Public Administration Chiang Mai University

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Table of Content Preface

4

Keynote Speaker and Panel Presentation

7

Keynote Speaker on “Mekong – US Partnership (MUSP)”

7

Panel Presentation

10

“Peace, Security and Connectivity towards Stability in ASEAN”

10

“Three-Layered Order: The Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) in the

11

Transforming (Sub) Regional Order(s)” Regional Dynamics

12

Reflection Note of Regional Dynamics

13

Student’s Presentation of Regional Dynamics

14

SDGs and Sustainable Development

18

Reflection Note of SDGs and Sustainable Development

19

Student’s Presentation of SDGs and Sustainable Development

20

Security Challenges

26

Reflection Note of Security Challenges

27

Student’s Presentation of Security Challenges

28

Regional Trade and Cooperation

34

Reflection Note of Regional Trade and Cooperation

35

Student’s Presentation of Regional Trade and Cooperation

36

COVID and New Challenges

38

Reflection Note of COVID and New Challenges

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Student’s Presentation of COVID and New Challenges

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Appendix

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Keynote Speaker and Panel Presentation 1. “Mekong-US Partnership (MUSP)” Vi L. Jacobs-Nhan, Political, Economic, and Public Affairs Section Chief, U.S. Consulate General Chiang Mai

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2. Panel Presentation on “ASEAN and Asia in Challenges of the Nonconventional Security and the Roles of US and China in Southeast Asia” 2.1 “Peace, Security and Connectivity towards Stability in ASEAN”

by Dr. Nichan Singhaputargun, School of Social Innovation, Mae Fah Luang University

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2.2. “Three-Layered Order: The Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) in the Transforming (Sub) Regional Order(s)” by Dr. Narut Charoensri, School of

International Affairs, Faculty of Political Science and Public Administration

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Regional Dynamics

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Reflection Note 1. Regional Dynamics For the theme of “Regional Dynamics,” in our panel, we have all together four topics which included the exploitation of Shan state farmers in Myanmar by CP, the conflict of Balochistan: The largest province of Pakistan, the democratization of Bhutan: Democracy gifted to the people by the king and lastly the US relations with Latin American countries: Obama policies vs. Trump Policies.

However, all of the topics were interesting; however, we chose the topic of CP exploiting the Shan state farmers in Myanmar. We decided to divide the topic into three dimensions and take a step back by looking at the bigger picture. The divided dimensions were Economic, Political, and Social dimensions. The step back-reflected and let us analyze this case as a regional matter of the farmers and an issue and problem in the region as all and try to connect all of these under the umbrella concept of human security.

First of all, the problem between the multinational corporation of CP and the Shan state farmers is that they have contract farming. However, the farmers are being exploited by the prices their crops are being bought by CP, which is making it hard for them to survive; hence this can be seen as economic insecurity under the term of human security. This problem needs the attention of ASEAN has the regional power in order to intervene by setting reasonable prices and make it a situation of win-win for both sides.

Secondly, if the first step is solved, it will bring us to the second step: the social problems; it has been a trend that many Myanmar workers come to work in Thailand for survival. Hence, the problem mentioned above is one of the factors that force the Myanmar people to flee their country to look for better standard and quality of life, or at least jobs that can help them survive. So, if the economic insecurity is solved, they will not flee their country and try to settle there, what this will result in is that it will avoid the problem of immigration which is going to be a time bomb in the near future; some examples can be seen as the Germany, Turkey immigration ties.

Lastly, all of these human security issues can be solved when we are strong as a region as a face together, as ASEAN, or on a smaller scale, the ACMEC, as the old saying says alone we are nothing, but together we are everything. If the ASEAN countries stick shoulder to shoulder with each other, they will have more weight in their voice than being alone and going after the pity politics. Hence if ASEAN has to improve, they must stick together and demand their rights. We are sure that as regional powers, as ASEAN, even superpower such as the US will listen to them if delivered through the right way via the right channel.

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Students’ Presentation Theme I: Regional Dynamics 1. The Expansion of CP Myanmar and Their Impact on People’s Livelihood in Shan State, Myanmar, by Sutida Kamsamut

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2.

Conflict Management of Balochistan: A Case Study of the Inner War of Pakistan,

by Nawabzada Mir Jamal Khan Raisani

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3. Latin America as US Sphere of Influence: The Change of Foreign Policy from Obama to Trump Latin America is a sub region located at the south of America. It consists of 38 independent countries and islands from Caribbean. Geologically, this sub region is very important to US and very attractive toward the outside powers. Due to the certain reason, Latin America has been kept under US sphere of influence for centuries. US treats the region as its own household and considers itself as the owner which make this sub region famously known as ‘America’s Backyard’. As time goes by, Latin America, a region that consist of developing countries, had been overlooked by Washington. As a result of being weak and submissive, the region was concluded as a nonthreat and the reckless foreign policy kept coming out of US. Barrack Obama seemed to see things differently. Obama administration wanted to restore the relation between US and Latin America. The multilateral frameworks were created. The military funding to fight drug cartels had been giving out to the countries like Mexico and Colombia.

Unfortunately, Obama could not achieve his goals. The war in Middle East was a major concern for US government and the opportunities to create offshore influence in Asia was more attractive. Obama attempt to bring the new age of the region seemed to be overlooked by the congress and this idea was not brought up till the end of Obama administrations. Unlike Obama, Donald Trump, the later president of the United States of America, saw the multilateral framework in the region as the waste of money and unnecessary responsibility. The America First policy - a policy that focus only on a wellbeing of American - led to withdrawal from many cooperative frameworks. In Latin America, Trump administration attempted to create the bilateral framework. The funding and trade deals were used as a reward for submissive countries. On the other hand, the tariff and sanction was put against the opposed states or China supporter. Latin America status has raised concern since the Chinese government started giving out funding and trade deals almost unconditionally. US government under Trump administration seemed to find the challenge on maintaining the house owner status. The increase of middle class and educated population in the region lead to the anti-American movements in the region. Since US seemed to be more demanding, eastern alternative power looked more attractive. The backyard might not belong to the US or anyone anymore since the ‘gardener’ is one who rightfully to decide the fate of the backyard.

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4. Bhutan’s challenge in Democratic Transition, by Lhapchu Karma Wangchuk

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SDGs and Sustainable Development

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Reflection Note 2. SDGs and Sustainable Development Underlying, sustainable development and the SDGs are the critical cornerstones for further piloting of well-being under the developmental theme since the past until nowadays. Most remarkably, under the globalization era is urged the way of the world needs, everyone cries out for the sustainable thing one way or another. However, behind these development themes would be realizing regional security, the role of great power, and the scope of ASEAN centrality (the scope of concern) as the inevitable factors. How do we improve and/or reach them effectively and maintain the balance level? How is the role of great powers influence or provide assistance to ASEAN and Asia? What would be the group idea of the best practice to help ASEAN and handle nonconventional security by great powers?

In this section, to precisely explain nonconventional security’s inner meaning, we meticulously aim the environmental and food security the specific issue which concerns the most. The problems have correlated the lens of sustainable development goals to see through the goal 1, 2, 3, 13, 10, and 14 as problem-seeker. Various problems have emerged among society like food security, life below water (coastal management), climate crisis, and inequality concerns.

However, to stay in another reason, “leave no one behind” in ASEAN, clearly paves the utmost way for mutual dynamic environmental development. Moreover, any supportive country like the U.S. is a great assistant-provider, often called great power in a nutshell. It is not only assisting but thoroughly influencing as well. Regarding the issue in Southeast Asia (ASEAN member countries) utters the same problem in the same way, and there has been constrained the rules that follow the endless argument like the case of South China Sea in the stance.

Thus, the U.S. has provided balancing power against China and multi-stakeholder platforms in the South China Sea. There are several reasons that the U.S. provides financial assistance, soft power for education, and even knowledge transfer.

Equally important, the global partnership is the better alternative that vastly impacts different stances or national interests. We profoundly ensure this global practice will reshape the face of conflict or endless argument to focus on the development prior. We trustfully believe the partnership is what people and countries raise the hand for begging as a mutual resolvingproblem. Furthermore, the entire great powers should be more recognized the rules justly and strictly.

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Students’ Presentation: Theme 2: SDGs and Sustainable Development 1.

SDGs in challenges, A case study of Pagpag’s Food insecurity phenomenon in Ghetto, Metro Manila, the Philippines (2010-2019), by Sakolwan Peetong

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2. US Roles in Biodiversity /Ecosystem Services under SDGs in Southeast Asia: Study of Coastal Areas in the Philippines, by Settasart Rueangsaen

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3. Thailand’s Disaster Management Policy, A case study of post-flooding in 2011-2020, by Masayuki Kojima

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Security Challenges

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Reflection Note 3. Security Challenges Sexual violence is a global concern as it is a severe problem of society, the one threat to human security, which is a significant obstacle to promoting freedom from fear. The problem of sexual violence against women in Indonesia is increasing. It demonstrates gender inequality persists within the cultures and attitudes that are deeply rooted in Indonesia. Moreover, Laws pertaining to sexual violence against women in Indonesia are ineffective. The current law is unable to resolve this issue. Indonesian law has no explicit mention of sexual violence. The Criminal Code and the Domestic Violence Elimination Act No. 23 of 2004 represent a narrow scope of sexual violence. So until now, there has been no policy that comprehensively accommodates the rights of victims of sexual violence. Therefore, to develop a judicial framework that will support victims and value their rights, the National Commission on Violence against Women (Komnas Perempuan) has drafted The Elimination of Sexual Violence Bill (RUU PKS). The RUU PKS is also hoped to acknowledge the rights of the victims, such as legal assistance, psychological assistance, medical assistance, and psychosocial services In terms of community security, we can explain as 2 main things, so in ethnic we focus on human rights that are of basic need for everyone. The topic is also about NGOs that came to develop ethnic community, and most of NGOs has been supported by Great power countries, but if those countries cannot support NGOs, what should they do. In this case, NGOs should make strength in their organization, it means they should try stand by themselves with support and without support because sometimes they cannot get support from great power countries. Furthermore, in Meng La town, we are expanding to Chinese influence on the border of Myanmar, a study of Meng La town autonomous region. Nowadays, China has become one of the world’s most influential countries. China’s expansion has spread across all regions, especially those bordering China, as is the case with Myanmar. The expansion of power is no less than in other countries. Meng La town is a fascinating case study, as Meng La is located in the northeastern part of Myanmar and is a city on the border with China that China heavily influences. Currently, more than 80% of Meng La’s population is Chinese, the rest of the region, Myanmar, and Shan people. The official language in the Meng La has become Chinese, and the currency used is RMB, which Myanmar’s currency does not see any acceptance in this area. There are many casinos, hotels, and Chinese real estate in this area, making Meng La a prosperous city comparable to the larger Myanmar cities due to the fact that there are utilities, power systems, and transportation more advanced than many major cities in Myanmar, all this is done through the investment of Chinese business people and the Chinese government. With the rapid advancement of the Meng La city and the management of China’s influence, it has become an autonomous region under the control of a network of Chinese businesspeople and China’s people. Myanmar’s sovereignty is negligible in this area, worrying the Burmese regime and many countries fearing China’s growing power of influence every day in the region. The researcher, therefore, viewed Meng La city as a compelling case study of its rise to becoming a superpower in Asia of China, particularly Southeast Asia, and China’s influence on the border areas of various countries.

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Students’ Presentation: Theme 3: Security Challenges 1. Violence against women in South Asia: Case study of honor killing in Pakistan, by Preeda Preeraputi

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2. Women’s Movement Against Sexual Violence in Indonesia: The Case Study of Women Activist Movement for Draft Law on The Elimination of Sexual Violence (RUU PKS), by Ranchana Saokamket

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3.

The Influence of AMO (NGO) on Local Development: A Case Study of Empowering Lahu Children in Chiang Rai, by Pradipa Tothai

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4. Expanding Chinese Influence on the Border of Myanmar: A Study of Meng La Town Autonomous Region Nowadays, China has become one of the world’s most influential countries. China’s expansion has spread across all regions, especially those bordering China, as is the case with Myanmar.

The expansion of power is no less than in other countries. Meng La town is a fascinating case study, as Meng La is located in the northeastern part of Myanmar and is a city on the border with China that China heavily influences. Currently, more than 80% of Meng La’s population is Chinese, the rest of the region, Myanmar, and Shan people. The official language in the Meng La has become Chinese, and the currency used is RMB, which Myanmar’s currency does not see any acceptance in this area. There are many casinos, hotels, and Chinese real estate in this area, making Meng La a prosperous city comparable to the larger Myanmar cities due to the fact that there are utilities, power systems, and transportation more advanced than many major cities in Myanmar, all this is done through the investment of Chinese businessmen and the Chinese government. With the rapid advancement of the Meng La city and the management of China’s influence, it has become an autonomous region under the control of a network of Chinese businessmen and China’s people. Myanmar’s sovereignty is negligible in this area, worrying the Burmese regime and many countries fearing China’s growing power of influence every day in the region. Therefore, the researcher viewed Meng La city as a compelling case study of its rise to becoming a superpower in Asia of China, particularly Southeast Asia, and China’s influence on the border areas of various countries.

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Regional Trade and Cooperation

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Reflection Note 4.Regional Trade and Cooperation In this section, there are two reflection notes, as follows: 1) “US Role in the Mekong Sub region: The Study of US-Mekong Partnership” The US role in mainland southeast Asia started during the cold. The Mekong region is important in terms of cold war politics. It is because the US wants to against communist in this area. During the post-cold war, the US changed the strategy to focus in the middle east so that the US is not interested in this area. In 2009, the US was back in southeast Asia. Hillary Clinton’s secretary established the Lower Mekong Initiative’s cooperation and launched to the Mekong-US Mekong partnership in 2020.

The US’s factors in mainland southeast Asia are composed of the world system, and mainland Southeast Asia is strategy. Firstly, during the post-Cold War period, the world system became unipolar so that the US can determine the world order and world economy. The US wants to spread democracy and capitalism to the world. The United States wants to expand its ideology to Asia by allowing Japan to be a partner to interact with South East Asia in the lower Mekong region, which includes Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Secondly, mainland southeast Asia is the area of strategy. It is because this area is abundant in natural resources provided by the Mekong River. Moreover, this area is suitable for agriculture, which is rice. In addition, this area is the backyard of China and they established the new mechanism called the US-Mekong Partnership which replaces Lower Mekong Initiative (LMI).

2) “Trade protectionism policy under the US-China trade war on Xianjiang’s Human Rights Issue” Xinjiang Autonomous Region is landlocked, the largest area divided into 1-6 parts of China.

The most population who lives in Xinjiang is Uyghur. They are different from Huns because of their Muslim ethnic religion, language, tradition. From that different part, China’s government announced the cultural assimilation policy and built Xinjiang internment camps for brainwashing, re-education, and labor enforcement. Also, the government of China tried to promote Xinjiang province to become an important connecting trade area. From the action of the government of China with Xinjiang-Uyghur.

The U.S. President, Donald Trump, was announcing a policy that prohibits importing certain products from companies in China, arguing that forced Uyghur Muslim labor is a serious violation of human rights.

As a result of the protectionism policy in Xinjiang to the issue of human rights under the USChina trade war, it may be necessary to point out that China is a human rights abusive state and that other states may Trade with China at a lower rate to maintain the status of one world leader and world power. Therefore, we concluded that implementing the U.S. protectionism policy in Xinjiang province under trade war conditions. It is not solely for human rights or economic interests.

Nevertheless, this act has resulted in the U.S. benefiting both. Furthermore, both sides’ interests are also significantly aligned and supported for the U.S. to maintain its world power, as can be seen from the U.S.’s policy implementation based on their international political thought.

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Students’ Presentation: Theme 4: Regional Trade and Cooperation 1. Trade Protectionism Policy under the US-China trade war on Xinjiang’s Human Rights issue, by Ponniput Srikaew and Suphawadee Cho.charoenphon Xinjiang Autonomous Region is landlocked, the largest area divided into 1-6 parts of China.

The most population who lives in Xinjiang is Uyghur. They are different from Huns because of their Muslim ethnic religion, language, tradition. From that different part, China’s government announced the cultural assimilation policy and built Xinjiang internment camps for brainwashing, re-education, and labor enforcement. Also, the government of China tried to promote Xinjiang province to become an important connecting trade area. From the action of the government of China with Xinjiang-Uyghur. The U.S. President, Donald Trump, was announcing a policy that prohibits importing certain products from companies in China, arguing that forced Uyghur Muslim labor is a serious violation of human rights.

As a result of the protectionism policy in Xinjiang to the issue of human rights under the USChina trade war, it may be necessary to point out that China is a human rights abusive state and that other states may Trade with China at a lower rate to maintain the status of one world leader and world power. Therefore, we concluded that implementing the U.S. protectionism policy in Xinjiang province under trade war conditions. It is not solely for human rights or economic interests. Nevertheless, this act has resulted in the U.S. benefiting both.

Furthermore, both sides’ interests are also significantly aligned and supported for the U.S. to maintain its world power, as can be seen from the U.S.’s policy implementation based on their international political thought.

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2. US Role in the Mekong Sub region: The Study of US-Mekong Partnership

By Purin Suksab, Sirikorn Sukrat and Nattanisa Puttaseema This study is about the timeline of the US play a role in Southeast Asia. What factor causes the US to play a role in mainland southeast Asia, which comprises the unipolar, the area rich in natural resources, and the area as China’s backyard. How the US plays- role in this area, such as the Lower Mekong Initiative, now become US – Mekong Partnership. Moreover, How the US has changed this region which analyses in the framework of Neorealism.

The US role in mainland southeast Asia started during the cold. The Mekong region is important in terms of cold war politics. It is because the US wants to against communist in this area. During the post-cold war, the US changed the strategy to focus in the middle east so that the US is not interested in this area. In 2009, the US was back in southeast Asia. Hillary Clinton’s secretary established the Lower Mekong Initiative’s cooperation and launched to the Mekong-US Mekong partnership in 2020.

The US’s factors in mainland southeast Asia are composed of the world system, and mainland Southeast Asia is strategy. Firstly, during the post-Cold War period, the world system became unipolar so that the US can determine the world order and world economy. The US wants to spread democracy and capitalism to the world. The United States wants to expand its ideology to Asia by allowing Japan to be a partner to interact with South East Asia in the lower Mekong region, which includes Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Secondly, mainland southeast Asia is the area of strategy. It is because this area is abundant in natural resources provided by the Mekong River. Moreover, this area is suitable for agriculture, which is rice. In addition, this area is the backyard of China.

In this study, we have used Neo-realism to analyze the US’s role in Mainland Southeast Asia. Because Neo-Realism theory also explains the return of the US after it reduces its significance in Southeast Asia and focuses more in the Middle East, is because the US wants to counterbalance China’s influence and its seeking of interest in this region to resist the US and Japan’s influence, which made China’s action affect the US national security and interest. Thus the return of the US’ role in Southeast Asia, by creating obligations and seeking alliance, for instance, the US’ role expansion in the Mekong sub region by being the center and trying to draw cooperation from the countries in the sub region by using the newly- established mechanism called the US-Mekong Partnership which replaces Lower Mekong Initiative (LMI).

To conclude, entering the US to SEA has increased its influence to contain China’s influence through financial aid and cooperation in political and social. All projects around the Mekong that the US has initiated are the tool to compete with China to save its status quo to be hegemon in the region, and all the benefits about economy and politics are an outgrowth from the true hidden agenda of the Mekong initiative projects.

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COVID and New Challenge

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Reflection Note 5. COVID and New Challenges Based on the theme ‘COVID and new challenges’ focusing mainly on ASEAN and Asia, we reflected on the current issues faced in the region as a result of the Pandemic, which is the COVID -19 outbreak at the moment, roles great powers can play in addressing the current issue and best practices the region can adapt to overcome the current challenges and likes in the future.

Firstly, to better understand the region’s current challenges and show the interconnected nature of issues, we analyzed them at three different levels; domestic, regional, and international. On a domestic level, we looked at individual countries’ common issues due to the COVID -19 pandemic from economic, social, and political security viewpoints. It has affected the local economy as the result of little to no mobility of people and goods. With travel restrictions and COVID safety protocols of different nations, the flow of goods and services cannot operate normally, resulting in substantial economic losses. On the other side, accessibility to social services and welfare has been dramatically affected. Although education can be continued through online platforms, not every kid has the luxury of suitable devices and better internet connectivity, resulting in students dropping out of schools in some places. People residing in rural areas and generations that are not familiar with digital technologies are deprived of health care services. Like the domestic problem, import and export of countries are greatly affected at the regional level. With border closure and restriction of international transports by the respective countries, import and export-oriented economic sectors of the regions are slowed and even brought to a standstill in some cases. On the political and security side, migration has been an issue when we look at border management. To address the COVID outbreak, countries are focusing on restricting the border crossings and implementing safety measures for safe migration. However, illegal crossings are becoming prominent due to various economic reasons and expensive and often lengthy quarantines associated with many paperwork to enter the country. Many people are restricted from moving around on the social viewpoint, and sometimes extended lockdowns have forced families and people to stay inside home for a long time. The problem associated with this is a problem of domestic violence. Both these domestic and regional problems add up to the international issues faced by the countries today.

In times of uncertainty, great powers can help address the issues mainly through assistance, which includes funding the international organizations such as UNICEF and WHO work to address the issues worldwide and provide vaccines and safety equipment such as face masks and personal protection gears for frontline workers. On the other hand, they can also initiate a global framework to deal with such pandemics as they have the power and funds to lobby other countries into the objective.

After discussion and reflecting on the above problems, we found out that ASEAN as a region does not have a particular framework to deal with such problems, nor has it presented a notable contribution to fighting the Pandemic in the member countries. Therefore, the best practice ASEAN as a region and countries as individuals can adopt is collaborating in policy formulations that do not contradict each other and help each other fight the Pandemic. ASEAN was formed to battle together against the traditional securities, but today we are facing non-traditional securities which go beyond borders. ASEAN should review its core framework and adapt to new changes as transnational issues such as a COVID -19 pandemic, haze and many other nonconventional challenges are more prominent than traditional securities.

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Students’ Presentation: Theme 5: COVID and New Challenges 1. Thai and Chinese Government’s Interstate-Cooperative Tourism During the COVID-19, by Chaowalit Teerawatananont

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2. The impact of COVID-19 Pandemic to small entrepreneurs at Mae Sai special economic zone, by Athipat Damrongjaroenrak

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3. Tourism Series: Impact of COVID19: Case study of Bhutan’s Tourism Sector,

by Ugyen Tshering

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Appendix

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School of Social Innovation (MFU) & Faculty of Political Science and Public Administration (CMU) Organized by ASEAN Program, ARCID, School of Social Innovation Kam Mok Luang Room, E-park building, 5th Floor, Mae Fah Luang University Friday, 5th March, 2021 Time 08.00 - 08.40 08.45 - 09.00

09.00 - 09.30 09.30 - 09.50 09.50 - 10.10 10.10 - 10.25 Time

10.30 - 10.50

Event description Registration Welcome speech by Asst. Prof. Dr. Chutamat Niwat, Assistant to the President, Mae Fah Luang University Welcome remarks by Ms. Lydia Barraza, Cultural Affairs Officer, US Embassy Bangkok Speech by Dr. Nichan Singhaputargun, Head of ASEAN Program, Asian Research Center for International Development, School of Social Innovation, Mae Fah Luang University Speech by Asst. Prof. Dr. Wannapa Leerasiri, Head of School of International Affairs, Faculty of Political Science and Public Administration, Chiang Mai University Introducing American Corner (AC) by Representative from American Corner “Mekong-US Partnership (MUSP)” by Vi L. Jacobs-Nhan, Political, Economic, and Public Affairs Section Chief, U.S. Consulate General Chiang Mai Panel “ASEAN and Asia in Challenges of the Nonconventional Security and the Roles of US and China in Southeast Asia” Break Student Presentations (Each presentation has 15 mins for presentation and 5 mins for Q&A) Theme 1 : Theme 2 : Theme 3 : Theme 4 : Regional Dynamics SDGs and Sustainable Security Challenges Regional Trade and Development Cooperation 1) The expansion of CP 1) SDGs in challenges, A 1) Violence against women 1) Trade Protectionism Myanmar and their impact case study of Pagpag’s in South Asia: Case study Policy under the US-China on people’s livelihood in Food insecurity of honor killing in Pakistan trade war on Xinjiang’s Shan State, Myanmar phenomenon in Ghetto, Human Rights issue Metro Manila, the Philippines (2010-2019)

Theme 5 : COVID and New Challenges 1) Thai and Chinese Government’s InterstateCooperative Tourism During the Covid-19.

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10.50 – 11.10

2) Conflict Management of Balochistan: A Case Study of the Inner War of Pakistan

2) US Roles in Biodiversity/Ecosystem Services under SDGs in Southeast Asia: Study of Coastal Areas in the Philippines

11.10 – 11.30

3) Bhutan’s challenge in democratic transition

3) Thailand’s Disaster Management Policy, A case study of post-flooding in 2011-2020

11.30 – 11.50

4) Latin America as US Sphere of influence: The Change of Foreign Policy from Obama to Trump

11.50 – 13.00 13.30 – 14.30

14.30 – 15.30 15.30 – 16.00

2) Women’s Movement Against Sexual Violence in Indonesia: The Case Study of Women Activist Movement for Draft Law on The Elimination of Sexual Violence (RUU PKS) 3) The influence of AMO (NGO) on local development: A case study of empowering Lahu children in Chiang Rai 4) Expanding Chinese Influence on the Border of Myanmar: A Study of Meng La Town Autonomous Region

2) The Role of Overseas Chinese Power in Southeast Asia: Case Studies of Thailand

2) The impact of covid-19 Pandemic to small entrepreneurs at Mae Sai special economic zone

3) US Role in the Mekong Subregion: The Study of USMekong Partnership

3) Tourism Series: Impact of Covid-19: Case study of Bhutan’s Tourism Sector

4) A New Pandemic in ASEAN: Response to the new Pandemic the analysis of ASEAN contribution during Covid-19g

Lunch Reflection on “ASEAN Centrality, Regional Security, and the Roles of Great Powers” Brainstorming Posits Under each theme (5 themes), what are the current issues and challenges of regional security in ASEAN and Asia How is the role of great powers influence or provide assistance to ASEAN and Asia What would be the group ideas of “the best practice” to help ASEAN and Asia in handling nonconventional security by great powers Presentations of each theme based on the Reflection Activity - Two representatives from each theme to present (1 MFU student and 1 CMU student) Closing Session

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The Photo’s Activity

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