Indo-Pacific research study initiated between ACIAR and Griffith Asia Institute

Business and government
Published
At the mention of ‘2020’, thoughts immediately spring to health disasters and the subsequent economic loss. As would be expected, the major force of the research world has been put to developing a suitable vaccine to COVID-19, but two Griffith University researchers have crossed discipline lines to provide a different response to the COVID-19 pandemic. […]

The troubling reality of Southeast Asia’s ‘democratic recession’

Business and government
Published
By Dr Diego Fossatiand Dr Lee Morgenbesser Griffith Asia Institute and the Centre for Governance and Public Policy The notion that democracy had triumphed over authoritarianism became an irresistible conclusion following the downfall of the Soviet Union. In what amounted to a historic transformation, 46 countries transitioned to democracy between 1991 and 2006. This process […]

Surveying public opinion in Burma

Griffith Asia Institute
Published
For years, decades even, professional Burma watchers, activists and other commentators have been making assessments about developments in Burma (Myanmar) on the basis of very little hard information. Government statistics could not be trusted, official spokesmen rarely gave away anything of value and the state-run press largely peddled propaganda. Reports generated outside Burma were often […]

Will Aung San Suu Kyi be president? Odds are lengthening

Griffith Asia Institute
Published
A year ago, a Lowy Institute panel was askedwhether Aung San Suu Kyi would become president of Burma(Myanmar). The question was also raisedon The Interpreter. The answer on both occasions was that such an outcome was far from certain. Powerful forces in Burma were working hard to prevent it. Few informed observers were optimistic about […]

Should Burma participate in UN peacekeeping?

Griffith Asia Institute
Published
A few months ago, several activist organisations expressed outrage at reports that the UN had invited Burma (Myanmar) to participate in peacekeeping operations (PKOs). The furore has since died down, but Naypyidaw’s critics are reasserting themselves in a number of ways and the question will doubtless arise again. With that in mind, it is helpful […]

GIFT backs Myanmar project

A temple with grey sky in background.
Department of Tourism, Sport and Hotel Management
Published
The new Griffith Institute for Tourism’s commitment to international outreach activity has been underlined in its support for a volunteer role in Myanmar. GIFT is involved in the selection and mentoring of a young Australian volunteer for a 12-month role contributing to the development of responsible tourism in Myanmar. The volunteer will help build institutional […]