“Progressive De-imperialization” is the gradual process of dismantling the legacies and influences of imperialism in various regions, particularly in Asia. Orientalist literature and colonial views often depict Asia as a land of profound discovery. Spiritual quest is seen as mystical, exotic, unique, with journeys that seek esoteric wisdom outwardly and self-realization inwardly. Asia often defined as place of elusive, exotic discovery, filled with essentialist and problematic ideas that renouncing the world will lead to true reality beyond experience. Swami Sivananda’s journey from Malaya to Himalaya is one phenomenon that can explain this concept. He exploring the tension between the exotic view of Asia and new interpretations of Asian connectivity that challenge Orientalist myth. Furthermore, the development of yoga as a new public health with Asian twist is the other phenomenon that describing this concept. This is the topic that brought by the first speaker from one of the panel discussions, in the AAS-in-ASIA forum (July 11th 2024).
After discuss about yoga, the second speaker of this panel explaining their research entitled “Of Bananas and Minerals: Strategic Development Considerations in Philippines – China Relations”. This research describes the dynamics between global and local in specific trading sectors affect the tenor foreign relations between Philippines and China, explained through banana and mining sectors.
Finally, the last speaker of this panel is presenting about real but fake passports as a problem among Indonesian migrant workers, in relation to global anti-corruption and good governance policies. There are several entanglements: between international best practices for passport security and governance that are one size fits all, fail to take varied local practice into account; between labor recruitment agencies and government (legislation and networks – wetness); between various recruitment agencies and different migratory location.
What we can conclude from three speakers on this panel discussion is that Asia plays a critical role on the global stage. To build and develop the Asian connectivity, it is important to pay attention not only to the culture, but also to the way of trading and good governance policies. Moreover, try to shifting away from the usual activities into a more developed activity also important to consider as a future goals.
contributing author: Anggraeni Pranandari (lecturer of the Faculty of Economics and Business)
photo: AAS-in-Asia Committee
SDG 11 (Sustainable cities and communities)