FOCUS Dispatch is a monthly newsletter from Focus on the Global South, featuring articles written by our staff members and allies discussing various issues within a specific themes every month, as well as a round-up of Focus’ publications and events. You can receive the Dispatch every month straight to your inbox by subscribing to our mailing list at focusweb.org/subscribe.

Recent Articles

THE CHANGING FACE OF ELECTIONS: REFLECTIONS FROM THE REGION

by Focus on the Global South Team | 20/12/2022 | Asia/World, FOCUS Dispatch, Opinion/Analysis, Power and Democracy | 0 Comments

by Anusha LallWith contributions from Focus on the Global South – Power and Democracy Team (Galileo de Guzman Castillo, Kheetanat Wannaboworn and Ridan Sun) 2022 Elections in Asia: In the News Countries that have gone through national or sub-national...

AGPA 2022: People-Centered: Addressing ASEAN Crises Together

by Anisa | 18/12/2022 | Blog Post, Cambodia, Climate & Environment, Event, FOCUS Dispatch, Food Sovereignty and Agroecology, Mekong Region, Social Movements, Systemic Alternatives | 0 Comments

The first ASEAN Grassroots People’s Assembly (AGPA) was organized in 2012, where it successfully mobilized over 1,000 people, mostly from grassroots and community networks and groups, to assert...

Human Rights Defenders highlight struggles and renewed their commitment to fight for human rights and dignity at Human Rights Festival

by Anisa | 18/12/2022 | Blog Post, FOCUS Dispatch, Philippines, Power and Democracy | 0 Comments

By Isaak Cagampang Heller* Photos from Philippine Human Rights Information Center (PhilRights) and Focus On The Global South A human rights street festival was held last December 10 at Malingap Street in Teachers Village East, Quezon City. Organized by In...

Why direct obligations for TNCs and having an International Tribunal are crucial for an effective legally binding treaty

by Anisa | 31/10/2022 | Asia/World, Corporate Accountability, FOCUS Dispatch, Opinion/Analysis | 0 Comments

A Perspective from Asia* By Joseph Purugganan, Focus on the Global South/Asia Task Force a member of the Global Campaign In 2014, 6 Asian states voted in favor of Resolution 26/9 (China, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Philippines, Vietnam). This positive vote we feel was...

Interview with Mrs. Om Samath — Agroecology Practice for Sustainable Livelihoods

by Anisa | 31/10/2022 | Blog Post, Cambodia, FOCUS Dispatch, Food Sovereignty and Agroecology, Mekong Region | 0 Comments

Interviewed by Phun Phearun, translation by Ridan Sun. The Starting point of practicing agroecology: At first, I started agroecology farming practice by growing vegetables to feed my family, which means I grow things that I want to eat. In addition, my family is also...

Japan’s Human Rights Due Diligence Guidelines: A Small Step Forward or a Monkey Wrench?

by Galileo de Guzman Castillo | 29/09/2022 | Asia/World, Corporate Accountability, FOCUS Dispatch, Opinion/Analysis | 0 Comments

By Galileo de Guzman Castillo[i] Last month, Japan publicly released the draft of the Guidelines on Respect for Human Rights in Responsible Supply Chains.[ii] This is the product of a long process undertaken by the Japanese Government to set human rights due diligence...

Towards A Stronger Corporate Accountability in Asia

by Anisa | 29/09/2022 | Asia/World, Corporate Accountability, Event, FOCUS Dispatch, Social Movements | 0 Comments

On Monday, 19 September 2022, as part of the Asia Task Force on the Legally Binding Treaty (ATF), we organised a seminar on human rights and business for Civil Society Organisations (CSO) in Asia titled “Towards A Stronger Corporate Accountability”. This seminar also...

[email protected]: End of the Road

by Anisa | 29/09/2022 | Asia/World, Climate & Environment, Corporate Accountability, Event, FOCUS Dispatch, Trade and Investment, Video | 0 Comments

Focus on the Global South organized an online press conference titled “[email protected]: End of the Road” to take stock of the negotiations at the 12th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and look at the way ahead for global trade policy. Speakers from...

Bridging the Voices of Local Communities — An Interview with Saing Siem

by Anisa | 31/08/2022 | Cambodia, FOCUS Dispatch, Mekong Region, Social Movements, Women | 0 Comments

By Ros Sokunthy As the head of Achangrong Sameithmey Agricultural Community in Kampong Chhnang Province in central Cambodia, Ms. Saing Siem has done various advocacy works as a community leader, including on matters like irrigation, roads, ID cards, and birth...

SONGKHLA NARUEMIT PRIDE 2022: Rising of the LGBTQIAN+ voices beyond Bangkok

by Anisa | 31/08/2022 | Blog Post, FOCUS Dispatch, Mekong Region, Photo, Thailand, Women | 0 Comments

Introduction by Kheetanat Wannaboworn Photos by Feminist MermaidThailand recently made a historic move on gender equality and social justice. In mid-June, 2022, the House of Representatives passed the first reading of the Move Forward Party's Marriage Equality Bill...