Mekong/ASEAN Environmental Week (MAEW) is the annual regional platform and process for the more profound exchange among the people, Civil Society groups, and other relevant actors on the issues of development, natural resources, and the environmental/social and human rights impacts from the investments. The forum aims to provide more space, understanding, and analysis and work in solidarity among the people who have less political space and less chance to meet. The storytelling, opinion giving, and demands will be expressed for a better future for the region and its people. In our opinion, A more robust and continuous movement among the people in the region is urgently needed.

The Mekong/ASEAN Environmental Week (MAEW), with its current scope and objectives, is the place for the dialogue that aims to improve the issues that are the linkage between environment, economic and political rights, and justice in the Mekong and Southeast Asia region. The main target to support MAEW is the marginalized, politically underrepresented groups, namely the local communities and their partner, the civil society groups. At the same time, the forum involves academics, media, and independent mechanisms, and it targets public dialogue with policymakers and businesses.

MAEW 2019 and 2020 have already organized many discussions on various issues, including the regional environmental, social, and ecological problems, democracy and political reform, climate justice, agriculture and food sovereignty, and the problems related to the free trade agreement, Belt and Road Initiatives, and Special Economic Zones in the region. On top of that, we invited discussions on prevention and solutions that were raised mainly by local community representatives. Please find the videos and program of MAEW 2020 at

https://www.facebook.com/606492703170028/posts/961045101048118/?sfnsn=mo

MAEW, in particular, is the event to bring the progressive voices of the Mekong and Southeast Asia together to resolve the common and cross-border problems created by the influential ideologies, economic models, projects, and actors mentioned above.

The co-organizers and supporting organization of the Mekong/ASEAN Environmental Week (MAEW) 2019 and 2020 are including;

Thailand-based - Project SEVANA Southeast Asia, Laos Dam Investment Monitoring [LDIM]), Extraterritorial Obligation Watch Thailand [ETO Watch]), Spirit in Education Movement [SEM]), The Mekong Butterfly, Community Resource Centre Foundation [CRC]), Land Watch Thai, Community Art Network, Chiang Khong Conservation Group, Mekong Energy and Ecology Network (MEENet), the Sustainable Agriculture Network

Regional and International organizations – Focus on the Global South, EarthRights International [ERI]), Mekong Watch [Japan]), International Rivers [IRs])

Academic Institutes - The Regional Center for Social Science and Sustainable Development [RCSD], Chiang Mai University,

The Center for Peace and Conflict Studies, Chulalongkorn University

Media Agencies – The Thai Society for Environmental Journalists (TSEJ), The Thai Public Broadcast Service (Thai PBS)

1. To process the annual public/regional platform for the representatives of the affected communities by the destructive development policies and large-scale projects as well as the communities that are implementing ecological and livelihood recovery activities and civil society groups that work to support the communities. This platform will have presentations and actions in various formats, including strategic discussions, public actions, panel discussions, photo exhibitions, films, and cultural events.

2. To create a larger learning space among people from different countries by sharing stories about livelihoods, situations, problems, beliefs, cultures, strategies, tactics, and solutions.

3. To create a possible public space for academics, policymakers, businesses, and representatives from relevant mechanisms (such as human rights commissions, United Nations representatives, and other international parties) and the general public to participate, exchange, and debate with the experienced local communities and civil society groups.

4.    To work with the national, regional, and international media interested in the region's political ecology-related issues. 

5. Strengthen the regional peoples’ network and support a stronger movement and the establishment of concrete political platforms that truly belong to the people.

Take a look at MAEW's activities here;

MAEW2019

MAEW2020

MAEW2021

Follow our activities and the weekly fresh news report 

by Mekong/ASEAN Environmental Week at:

MAEW - Mekong-ASEAN Environmental Week | Facebook