In May, join New Naratif and BEBESEA for a special session of /ba.ca/ with New Naratif that explores the diverse experiences of migrants in Southeast Asia. With an open discussion format, we aim to shed light on the challenges faced by those who have had to leave their homes, whether it’s to seek opportunities in new countries or flee persecution.
We will bring together story fellows from our collaboration with BEBESEA and members of the migrant community to share their experiences and insights on the complex issues surrounding migration in Southeast Asia. From issues of statelessness to physical abuse and economic struggles, we’ll delve into the complex realities of migration and explore ways in which we can support these marginalised communities.
Whether you’re a migrant yourself or simply interested in learning more, we invite you to join us for this event to hear from those who have lived the migrant experience firsthand and gain a deeper understanding of migration in Southeast Asia.
Guest speakers:
Aime Marisa is a law student who is passionate about the issue of citizenship and migration. She is working with Alanis Mah, an illustrator and graphic designer who feels strongly about issues of citizenship and statelessness that she hopes to contribute to advocacy by using her artistic skills. Together, they are developing an illustrated essay that captures a stateless person’s journey in life.
Ali Reza Yawari is a young writer, filmmaker, and refugee rights activist from Afghanistan. His work focuses on breaking myths about refugee communities. He is filming a short documentary about a refugee Taekwondo athlete who struggles with his integration in a country that doesn’t fully recognise his status.
Levi Masuli is a Philippines-based creative working on sound and text. He volunteers for Migrante Philippines, a grassroots organisation for migrants and their families. He is producing a sound essay on former migrants turned riverside vegetable farmers in the Province of Rizal, Philippines.
Nguyen Thi Thanh Mai works with a variety of media. Her practice is focused on questions of identity, both personal and collective. She is working on an essay with a series of illustrations and photographs that captures the day-to-day life of a stateless family in Vietnam.
Sherry Wang is currently working in a shelter that conducts various Know Your Rights workshops for migrant workers. She is working with Filipino activist and illustrator Erin Abanador to create a short comic to capture the predicament and exploitation of Filipino fishers in Taiwan.
Glory is a researcher and an academic from Myanmar. She has researched various areas, such as human rights, gender, and social inclusiveness in Myanmar, with different organisations. She loves reading and travelling.
Main stories:
- Documenting the Undocumented: The Struggle for a Legal Identity by Aime Marisa with illustrations by Alanis Mah
- Santa Ana: Stories by the Riverside produced by Levi Masuli
- The Journey of a Filipino Seafarer in Taiwan written by Sherry Wang & Yuji de Torres with illustrations by Erin Abanador
- Fighting Forward directed and produced by Ali Reza Yawari
- The Shadows Floating Along The Mekong by Nguyen Thi Thanh Mai with translations by Lêna Bùi
- Quarantined Feelings: A Short Film directed and produced by Bradley Jason Pantajo
- Where is Home? written by Glory with illustrations by Adriena Fong
Supplementary readings:
- The Philippines’ Dangerous Dependence on the Exploitation of its People by Teo S. Marasigan with illustration by Townsunder
- Kalimantan’s Warning: The Intertwined Dynamics of Environmental Degradation and Internal Migration by Lengga Pradipta with illustration by Konijn Sate
- The Higher Education Labyrinth for Refugee Learners in Peninsular Malaysia by Joshua Yee Aung Low with illustration by Xiao Ming Tang
To make the session even more accessible and open for everyone, we have two interpreters joining us for this session. We have Anggoro Galuh Pandita interpreting Bahasa Indonesia and Lêna Bùi for Vietnamese.
Anggoro Galuh Pandita is currently an MSc in Innovation and Project Management Candidate from Utel University, Mexico. Throughout his course of life, he has been dedicating his work to various projects that deal with International Relations and Education. He also does his freelance interpreting jobs in various international events such as Garuda Shield 2019 – 2021 for the Pentagon, Linguist Aide De Camp for Major General Stephen G. Smith of the US Army in 2022, and Migrant Care for C-20 in 2022.
Lêna Bùi is a visual artist and translator living and working in Saigon, Vietnam.
/ba∙ca/ with New Naratif is a reading group series that invites members to come together to discuss selected stories published by New Naratif.
For this reading, there is a minimum donation of US$5, for which you’ll receive a month’s New Naratif membership. Existing members can attend this event for free! Join New Naratif as a member today.
