An Interdisciplinary Programme for Asian Studies and Research Cooperation
WHO WE ARE
ARENA is a regional network of concerned Asian scholars – academics, intellectuals, activists, researchers, writers, and artists – which aims to contribute to a process of awakening towards meaningful and people-oriented social change
ARENA is a unique ngo because it has chosen to focus on the concerned Asian scholar as its immediate constituency, believing that this sector can play a vital role in the process of social transformation
ARENA redefines concerned Asian scholar to refer to individuals capable of conceptualising, theorising, analysing, interpreting and articulating issues and concerns as direct participants of or in support of struggles for social transformation in the interests of disadvantaged peoples
ARENA draws its members from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong sar , China, Australia and the us .
ARENA advocates alternative paradigms and development strategies which
promote equity among social class, caste, ethnic groups and gender
strengthen popular participation in public life as against authoritarian centralisation
prevent marginalisation of communities in the face of incursions by modernising influences
improve the quality of life for Asia's underprivileged
nurture ecological consciousness
draw upon aspects of indigenous knowledge systems which enhance social emancipation
articulate new visions encompassing a holistic world view.
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The ARENA Council of Fellows ( ACF) constitutes the base for the emerging community of concerned Asian scholars that arena is striving to develop. The ACF:
provides a flexible system for linking with those who have been and will be involved with arena
serves as a pool of experts on a wide range of issues and topics related to arena ’s work. Fellows participate in arena by contributing their studies, engaging in research cooperation, and conceptualising, developing and implementing arena programmes;
meets in a Congress once every three years and is the main body which defines the scope and direction of arena ’s programmes and undertakes major policy decisions on organisational matters.
The acf Chair is elected during the Congress to lead and preside over the work of the acf .
The ARENA Executive Board functions as the network’s policy-setting and decision-making body in between the triennial acf Congress. It oversees, on behalf of the ACF, all aspects of arena ’s work. It is composed of thirteen (13) members including the acf Chair and arena Coordinator as ex-officio members. It is headed by a Chair with the acf Chair acting as Co-Chair and meets regularly at least once a year.
The ARENA Secretariat :
is in-charge of day-to-day implementation, monitoring, and planning of arena ’s programmes
provides back-up support to the arena community
has a dynamic role in promoting and initiating specific interventions, providing a forum for exchanges, facilitating communication and information flow within the arena community.
The Secretariat is headed by a Coordinator who oversees both programmatic and administrative work. The Secretariat includes programme and administrative staff and is responsible for the general management of the arena office and other arena resources.
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WHAT WE BELIEVE IN
resistance, reconstruction and reimagining asia
ARENA believes in the need for nurturing a community of concerned Asian scholars which can combine critical conceptual thinking with the experience of resistance and rearticulation by groups subjected to injustice and violence. This in turn will lead to a richer understanding of how new global shifts are affecting paradigms and peoples as they live and struggle for a more meaningful existence. An integral aspect of 'resistance and reconstruction' involves the serious and painstaking effort of grassroots communities and ‘victim groups’ to conceptualise and practice sustainable alternatives. ‘Resistance and reconstruction’ necessitates the endless analyses, critical examination of all that is happening around us, of challenging and debunking the ideological justifications of oppression, of contesting the ideas, notions, and constructs which seek to legitimise the victimisation of peoples.
The ARENA community therefore affirms that our activities must provide organic links between intellectuals and grassroots activists and that the concept of reflexivity must always operate between the ideas and formulations of the concerned scholar and the actual social practice and the experience of grassroots organisers. As theory unites with practice and the real world, it must also constantly reflect the latter’s dynamism and continuous motion.
Of course, ARENA cannot do it alone. It welcomes the support of individuals and organisations engaged in 'resistance and reconstruction' in Asia and elsewhere in the world. If you are interested in being a partner in this process, arena will be happy to welcome your contribution – towards research, writing, donations or any other way that you find worthwhile. Write to us at:
See more about ARENA activites for year 2003-2006:
