40 years of Southeast Asia – südostasien is turning 40!
In 1984, the Southeast Asia Information Centre (Südostasien Informationsstelle) published issue zero of südostasien, followed by issue one in 1985. The quarterly magazine, with a regional focus on Southeast Asia and with articles on politics, economics, culture, the environment and social movements, thus found its readership in German-speaking countries.
Since then, 40 years have passed. We would like to take a look at continuity and change over this period - in four-fold manner.
- Continuity and transformation apply to Southeast Asia as the region that is both the source and the topic of our reporting, and to whose social movements we want to give a voice. The political, economic and social situation of individual countries in the region has changed since the mid-1980s – authoritarian regimes have been replaced by more or less functioning democracies. The fight for human rights has been and is being advanced. At the same time, the conditions of people's lives have been deteriorating in some countries and areas. Social conflicts and disputes have intensified and gotten violent. People’s day-to-day lives are challenged further by the consequences of climate change and global market integration. Additionally, the geopolitical situation in Southeast Asia and relations with neighbouring superpowers have also changed.
- Continuity and transformation also affect to the magazine südostasien itself. The range of countries has expanded; the editorship has changed. Contents and layouts adapt continuously to evolving reading habits. Since 2018, südostasien is no longer a print magazine and is published exclusively online. Some print lovers have chosen not to continue this journey with us; at the same time, many new readers have discovered südostasien and what it has to offer.
- What has also changed over the past 40 years is the group of people that are actively participating in creating südostasien. Initially, it was a modest circle of spirited human rights activists, because südostasien used to be an activist publication. The following years were marked by a more academic style. Today, südostasien is both, and more: scientific analyses, engaging social movements, and journalistic expertise. Then and now, it is unique in the German-language media landscape for its emphasis on regional voices and its cultivated network of volunteer authors and editors.
- Last but not least, we would also like to invite our readers to actively participate in this special issue of südostasien. Write us what you have always wanted to tell us - about individual topics, individual issues or about südostasien as a whole. Perhaps you are one of the people who have written to us before - feel free to do so again!
For this anniversary edition of südostasien, we are hoping for articles that explore the continuities and transformations in Southeast Asia, specific countries therein, and the magazine itself. Two leading questions in this exploration could be: How have I followed südostasien – how has südostasien accompanied me?
We look forward to your active appreciation – in the shape of praise as well as constructive criticism. We welcome personal memories, anecdotes and, of course, well wishes for the future! Shorter text fragments can also find their place in this anniversary issue – there are no limits to your creativity.
We are of course also hoping for different perspectives on the region of Southeast Asia and on topics that have been of special importance in the past 40 years (or in shorter intervals within this period).
- Which dynamics did single countries or single movements experience?
- From today’s point of view, which assumptions from the past could be judged as too optimistic and would require a different approach?
- Which blind spots did we and do we have as editing team, and which topics would have merited more attention from today’s point of view?
- How and why did human rights and democracy develop?
- How and why did the viewpoints and opinions of German economic/political/cultural/environmental actors on Southeast Asia change over the years?
- What are the successes and challenges of social movements and transnational solidarity, and what role does südostasien play in this regard?
Nina, Anett, Anna, Jörg, Mirjam, Nils
The editors of the anniversary issue
Deadline
Please send us a short proposal (max. 1,000 characters) to jubilee@suedostasien.net by November 30, 2024 at the latest. We look forward to your ideas!
Please note: Articles should be a maximum of 10,000 characters!
Contact the editorial team:
