Asia Centre

As the CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation convening, Building Pro-Civic Space Narratives: Communicators for Civic Action, co-organised with Asia Centre, concludes in Bangkok, Day 4 centres on Connect — focusing on sustaining connections, translating ideas into action, and ensuring this work continues beyond the convening.

Participants reflect on how to carry forward the narratives, strategies, and collaborations developed throughout the week — strengthening civic space in their respective contexts.

These final moments mark not an end, but a continuation of a broader effort to shape narratives and support civic action beyond the room.

This effort was funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Affairs.

Asia Centre has completed its first trip to Okinawa and made new friends and partners. Thank you and see you all soon!

As the CIVICUS convening, Building Pro-Civic Space Narratives: Communicators for Civic Action, co-organised with Asia Centre, continues in Bangkok, Day 3 centres on Create — focusing on transforming reflection into action.

Participants collaborate, exchange ideas, and explore new ways of storytelling to better engage audiences and strengthen civic space.

These sessions highlight the role of creativity and strategy in shaping narratives that inform, connect, and drive civic action.

This effort was funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Affairs.

On 19-23 April 2026, Asia Centre, in collaboration with the Okinawa International University, successfully organised an onsite Digital Security Training - End Beneficiaries (DST-EB) in Naha, Japan. The session was attended by 20 participants, who are mostly local youths. Focused on strengthening participants’ ability to detect digital risks and secure their online identities and accounts, the programme also deepened their understanding of privacy, practical safety strategies, and essential digital security tools.

As the CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation convening, Building Pro-Civic Space Narratives: Communicators for Civic Action, co-organised with Asia Centre, continues in Bangkok, Day 2 centres on Explore — creating space for communicators, activists, and civil society actors to reflect on the challenges shaping their work.

Participants engage in open and honest conversations, acknowledging fears, barriers, and lived realities — while building a shared understanding that these experiences are not faced alone.

These reflections deepen the collective effort to shape narratives that respond to real challenges and strengthen civic space.

This effort was funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Affairs.

Roundtable discussion on environmental issues with stakeholders at Okinawa University. A key issue raised was health concerns caused by the contamination of drinking water by PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), primarily linked to US military bases on the island.

As the CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation convening, Building Pro-Civic Space Narratives: Communicators for Civic Action, co-organised with Asia Centre, begins in Bangkok, Day 1 centres on Ignite — bringing together communicators, activists, and civil society actors to spark connections and strengthen civic space.

In the face of growing challenges to freedoms of expression, assembly, and association, participants reflect on how storytelling can amplify grassroots voices, counter misinformation, and shift public discourse.

These conversations mark the start of a broader effort to build narrative content that continues throughout the year and supports key campaign moments.

This effort was funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Affairs.

On 20 April 2026, Dr. James Gomez shared Asia Centre’s work on Indigenous People at Okinawa International University. During the discussion, when Dr. Gomez asked if there are Indigenous People in Japan - the audience were divided if there are indeed Indigenous People in Okinawa or Ryukyu Islands.