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THE POWER OF PODCASTS:
Creating Hope Reaching out to people during a pandemic can be quite difficult. But trust CALD to find ways to start conversations, tell stories, and share perspectives. In late 2021, it launched the podcast series The Great Asian Pushback, gathering voices from across Asia to tell their stories of defiance and hope. Amid the dominance of populism, authoritarianism, and illiberalism, these narratives show that there are still many people and organizations in the region that believe in liberal and democratic values, and attempt to instil these principles in their respective societies. By sharing these stories, the podcast series aims to empower and inspire listeners to continue the difficult fight for democracy and freedom in Asia and beyond.
The Power of Youth The youth have the energy, the drive, and the skills to be the changemakers of society. The podcast series includes the perspectives of various young people on social-media influence, political processes, and activism. Filipino vlogger Janina Vela discusses how the youth can change the current narrative of a country. From Thailand, StartDee Chief Executive Officer Parit Wacharasindhu and former Bad Student Group Leader Issadaorn Kulsantao talk about the Thai society that young people want, even as the government headed by a former military man continues to trample on the rights of the people. The series also takes up the viral #MilkTeaAlliance with academic Roger Huang, who explains how the movement has united young Asian advocates for democracy and human rights.
The Power of P e r s o n a l S t o r i e s There’s great value in a personal approach and experiences. By being personal, you provide the human touch needed in order to connect to other people. The Great Asian Pushback showcases real stories of activists, human-rights advocates, and democracy leaders. Dr. Sasa talks about what has been happening in Myanmar since the February 1 military coup and puts the spotlight on the plight of the country’s people who are fighting with all they have for democracy. Lawyer Theary Seng shares her story as a daughter of the killing fields in Cambodia. From Hong Kong, Emily Lau speaks of how to keep standing for what you believe is right in the face of threats. Hafsar Tameesuddin, now resettled in New Zealand, tells of the challenges she experienced following the deadly violence that broke out between ethnic Arakanese Buddhists and Rohingya Muslims in 2012 that forced her to flee Myanmar. 52
