Notes Asia: Recent Episodes
Daniel Maxwell
News, insights and opinions on human rights, development, healthcare, education and environmental issues across Asia Pacific Region.
The Notes Asia podcast is managed by Daniel Maxwell, a writer and educator from UK who has been Iiving and working in Asia for over 20 years.
His articles can be found in leading Asian publications including; Bangkok Post, Asian Correspondent, The Nation and South China Morning Post.
Found elsewhere - www.maxwellsnotes.com
It’s been two months since the junta in Myanmar, the Tatmadaw, arrested Aung San Suu Kyi and protesters took to the streets demanding the release of the country’s democratically elected leaders. Since then the situation has worsened week by week. On Armed Forces Day, Saturday 27th March, 114 protesters were killed, after being warned they risked being shot “in the head and back” if they took to the streets. Despite the bloodshed, and the death toll passing 500, protesters refuse to be silenced. In the past week the country’s ethnic armed groups have declared they will launch a ‘Spring Revolution’ supporting the protestors. A threat that would ultimately lead the country into a violent civil war. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://maxwellsnotes.com/2021/04/06/is-myanmar-on-the-verge-of-civil-war/
Weekly summary of the biggest stories from Asia Pacific Region in March 2021. In this episode we look at the worsening situation in Myanmar, the first high-level talks between the China and US Biden administration, and the rise in hate crimes against Asians.
On Asia Notes will be keeping you up to date with all that is happening across the Asia Pacific region, from the continued rise of China, to the eriosin ot democracy in SE Asia, attacks onhuman righs, modern day slavery, environmental issues, health care, development and of course education.
With Asia Pacific being the world’s most populous region on earth, it’s important to stay abreast of all the developments - and that’s what Notes Asia can help you with. Be sure to follow us, and watch our for our weekly round up , published every Tuesday!
This episode is about the rise of Vietnam's place as the Silicon Valley of ASEAN
Originally published at AsianCorrespondent.com
WHILE most countries in the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) have ambitions of developing competitive tech sectors, it appears that Vietnam is best placed to become the region’s Silicon Valley, thanks to successful education policies, government support and an environment of entrepreneurial-ism.
This episode is also available as a blog post:
http://maxwellsnotes.com/2017/02/16/the-rise-of-aseans-silicon-valley/
This episodes looks at the ground breaking work of Dr Tu Youyou who discovery of artemisinin, the most effective treatment available for malaria.
Originally published at AsianCorrespondent.com
THE 2015 Nobel Prize for medicine was awarded to Dr Tu Youyou this week for her discovery of artemisinin, the most effective treatment available for malaria today. Dr Tu shares this year’s award with Dr William Campbell, from Ireland, and Dr Satoshi Omura, from Japan, who were also awarded for their work against parasitic diseases. Dr Tu, who is the first Chinese national to receive a Nobel Prize for science, made the breakthrough in the 1970s, at the height of China’s Cultural Revolution, but her role in the fight against malaria remained little known until just a few years ago.
This episode is also available as a blog post:
http://maxwellsnotes.com/2015/10/08/malaria-scientist-wins-nobel-prize/
This episode looks at ASEAN's weakness in dealing with 'thorny' issues.
Originally published at AsianCorrespondent.com
The tragic plight of the Rohingya migrants adrift off the coasts of Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesian has brought ASEAN’s shortcomings and its unwillingness to tackle difficult issues firmly into the global spotlight. In recent days,pledges of shelter and humanitarian support from some ASEAN nations have finally been made as mounting international pressure forced ASEAN leaders into action, but only after hundreds of migrants had already lost their lives and ships overladen with starving refugees began to be rescued by local fishermen. Were it not for the international publicity this crisis has received, these refugees may well have been conveniently ignored by some of ASEAN’s leaders.
This episode is also available as a blog post:
http://maxwellsnotes.com/2015/05/21/rohingya-crisis-highlights-aseans-unwillingness-to-tackle-thorny-issues/
This episode looks at the attacks on Christian churches in Indonesia.
Originally published at AsianCorrespondent.com on 15th October 2015
Christian churches in Aceh province, Indonesia were attacked by Islamic extremists frustrated with the local government’s delays in demolishing 21 ‘illegal’ churches.
The attacks, which are believed to have been premeditated, took place at two Christian churches in Aceh Singkil district. The mob of around 500 protestors burned the first church to the ground and then moved on to a second church which was being protected by members of the Christian community.
Violence erupted when the protestors, carrying axes, sticks and machetes, were confronted by the community protecting the church. It was during this attack that a member of the Christian community was killed, according to Aceh Police Chief Husein Hamidi, “after being shot in the head with an air rifle.” Four others were injured in the attack, including a soldier.
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://maxwellsnotes.com/2015/10/15/church-attacks-in-indonesia/
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://maxwellsnotes.com/2017/09/19/the-worlds-most-persecuted/
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://maxwellsnotes.com/2016/10/20/hm-king-bhumibols-commitment-to-sustainable-development/
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://maxwellsnotes.com/2015/12/04/asia-pacific-leaders-move-towards-eliminating-malaria-by-2030/
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://maxwellsnotes.com/2017/03/25/drug-gangs-using-vietnamese-slaves-in-uks-cannabis-farms/
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://maxwellsnotes.com/2020/11/22/travelling-to-china-during-the-pandemic/
Originally Published with Asian Correspondent.
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://maxwellsnotes.com/2017/12/02/shan-states-hidden-humanitarian-crisis/
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://maxwellsnotes.com/2019/03/08/international-womens-day-progress-needed-on-gender-equality-iwd19/
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://maxwellsnotes.com/2020/05/19/china-bans-consumption-of-wild-animals/
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://maxwellsnotes.com/2020/05/19/things-you-should-know-about-chinas-facial-recognition-technology/
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://maxwellsnotes.com/2021/03/13/asias-88-billion-tree-great-green-wall/
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://maxwellsnotes.com/2021/03/13/asias-88-billion-tree-great-green-wall/
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://maxwellsnotes.com/2020/11/22/homosexuality-in-china/