An open space called “MAEW”
Mekong/ASEAN Environmental Week (MAEW) is an annual regional platform that fosters deep exchange among people, civil society groups, and other key actors on development, natural resources, and the environmental and social impacts of large-scale projects in the Mekong and Southeast Asia. Our mission is to strengthen and sustain a movement for justice and solutions to the region’s environment and livelihood challenges, focusing on supporting marginalized communities and amplifying their voices.
Since its inception in 2019, MAEW has brought together diverse groups, networks, and mechanisms to address critical regional issues from environment to democracy, climate justice, agriculture, and food sovereignty. Topics like free trade agreements, the Belt and Road Initiative, and Special Economic Zones have also been discussions, alongside the climate crisis, waste management, and the ecosystems of the Mekong and Salween Rivers.
MAEW is committed to highlighting problems and driving discussions on prevention and solutions, particularly those raised by local communities. Our event unites progressive voices across the region to tackle common, cross-border challenges created by dominant ideologies, economic models, and powerful actors.
To date, MAEW has hosted over 200 speakers and artists, engaging thousands of participants each year in meaningful exploration, dialogue and creative expression.
Nature of MAEW
- MAEW operates like a “market” where anyone can freely showcase their ideas and initiatives. Around May, we invite proposals from civil society and people’s networks to organize events during MAEW.
- Participants and organizations are encouraged to use their own resources to take part in MAEW, including inviting their civil society networks. A central budget, funded by contributions from civil society groups, covers essential costs such as venue rental, equipment, live streaming, and translation for those without the budget for these items.
- MAEW does not have an official organizing committee. Any group or organization that aligns with MAEW’s goals and co-organizes an event automatically becomes a MAEW co-organizer, gaining the right to propose events and contribute to the direction of MAEW.
- Co-organizers and participants are free to engage in the areas that interest them and where they can make the most impact.
- Most events are free to participate, with or without advance registration.
In the past five years (2019-2023)
Over the past five years, MAEW has been a vital platform for sharing environmental
stories and addressing the threats facing rivers, land, forests, and minerals. It has
highlighted the struggles of people striving to sustain the resources they depend on,
which are essential for maintaining a sustainable economic, social, political, cultural,
and livelihood base in harmony with the region’s ecosystems.
MAEW co-organizers have tackled a wide range of issues, from democratic reform
and climate justice to agriculture, food sovereignty, and the impacts of free trade
agreements. They have also explored the geopolitical influences within and beyond
the region, as well as the realities of special economic zones. Crucially, MAEW has
provided a platform for local community representatives to share their experiences
and propose solutions for preventing, addressing, and adapting to these challenges.
MAEW thrives on the creative voices of individuals, groups, and organizations across
the Mekong region and Southeast Asia. Together, they inspire, debate, and propose
solutions at both national and cross-border levels, addressing the complex
interactions of government ideologies, local and international investments, and mega-
projects that shape the region’s future. These efforts have contributed significantly to
the ongoing transformation of the region.
2024 – The Sixth Year of MAEW
What will happen?
MAEW 2024 will commence with the photo exhibition “Echoes of the Mekong:
Communities in Transition” by Rerngrit Kongmuang. The exhibition will be showcased
at The Coffee Bean in Siem Reap from September 1-15, 2024, and later at the Bangkok Art
and Culture Centre (BACC) from September 24-29, 2024.
The main MAEW Bangkok activities will take place from September 27-30, 2024, running
daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Events will be hosted across multiple venues, including
:
- Ground Floor and SEA Junction Meeting Room (4th Floor) at the Bangkok Art and
Culture Centre (BACC) - Christian Student Center and Church of Christ in Thailand at Saphan Hua Chang
- Select activities may also be held at Chulalongkorn University
MAEW 2024 will conclude with a series of collaborative events organized by civil
society groups, inviting international friends to visit and engage with their local
work sites. These closing activities will be co-planned by both organizers and
participants, fostering meaningful connections and shared experiences.
MAEW 2024’s HIGHLIGHT
Mekong and Tonle Sap
Explore the impact of dam construction on the Mekong River and its tributaries, featuring local voices and
highlighting the ecological and cultural value of the Mekong Basin through forums and photo exhibitions.
Land Grabbing and Special Economic Zones
Examine the critical issue of land grabbing, the influence of Chinese capital, and related challenges like industrial
waste in special economic zones: the hidden issue
Food Sovereignty
Focus on self-reliance through exchanges between young farmers from different areas, emphasizing food
sovereignty as both a campaign and a practical solution.
Cross-Border Investment
Analyze the profiles and impacts of regional and international investors on local communities and ecosystems.
Global Warming: Solving or Worsening?
Discuss whether global policies like REDD and the promotion of large dams as “clean” energy are truly effective or
making the situation worse.
Transboundary Dust and Waste
Address the shared issue of transboundary dust and waste, exploring causes, impacts, and collaborative solutions.
Cultural Exchange
Foster cultural dialogue through performances, music, exhibitions, storytelling, and interactive board games.
Program in brief – MAEW2024
September 1-15, 2024 in Siem Reap & September 24-29, 2024 in Bangkok
- Photo Exhibition: “Echoes of the Mekong: Communities in Transition”
by Rungrit Kongmuang
- Exhibition of Works and Activities: From the project “Invite the New Generation to MAEW” project
Friday, September 27, 2024 – MAEW2024 Opening Day
- Opening shows and panels
- Discussion on Mekong-ASEAN Highlights
- Room 1: Land, Forests, Special Economic Zones, Transnational Capital, and Land Conquest
- Room 2: Climate Crisis, Carbon Trade, and Impacts on Grassroots Communities
- Room 3: Food Sovereignty, Agro-Ecological Farmers, and Regional Farmer Networks
- Room 4: From Tonle Sap to the Mekong Dam – The Situation and People’s Way of Life in the Region
Saturday, September 28, 2024 – “Invite the New Generation to MAEW’
- Music Performance: “The Commoners”
- Performances by the New Generation/Artists from the region
- Discussion Group: “Meet the Owners of the Exhibition” – Narrated by the exhibitors
- Film Screening & Short Documentaries: Followed by a writing workshop and discussion group with new
generation storytellers – “Writing Environmental Stories” - Mekong River Board Game Group
- Panel Discussions:
- “Mekong River Crisis and the Future of Problem Solving with Technology”
- “International Financial Institutions: Investment in Southeast Asia”
- Workshops:
- “Seeds for Life”
- “History from Ordinary People: Stories Beyond Words about the People’s Struggles”
- “Palestinian Solidarity”
- “Governance Mechanisms: The Case of the Xayaburi Dam”
Sunday, September 29, 2024 – Until We Meet Again
- Discussion Topics:
- Waste in the Economic Zone
- Myanmar Gas
- Closing Stage of MAEW2024
Monday, September 30, 2024 – Special Program and Field Visits
- Workshop: United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Farmers and Persons Working in Rural Areas
Co-organizers
- Agro-Ecology Community Foundation (มูลนิธิชุมชนเกษตรนิเวศน์)
- American Jewish World Service (AJWS)
- CCFD – Terra solidaire, EEC Watch
- EEC Watch (กลุ่มศึกษาการพัฒนาระเบียงเศรษฐกิจพิเศษภาคตะวันออก)
- Equitable Cambodia (EC), Fishery Action Coalition Team (FACT)
- ETOs Watch
- FOCUS on the Global South (โฟกัส)
- International Rivers (IRs) (องค์การแม่น้ำนานาชาติ)
- Land Watch Thai (กลุ่มจับตาปัญหาที่ดิน)
- Laos Dam Investment Monitor (LDIM) (เครือข่ายจับตาการลงทุนในเขื่อนลาว)
- Mekong Energy and Ecology Network (MEENet)
- Project SEVANA South-East Asia (โปรเจกต์เสวนา เอเชียตะวันออกเฉียงใต้)
- Social Action for Community and Development (SACD)
- Spirit in Education Movement (SEM) (เสมสิกขาลัย)
- The Bean Embassy, Siem Reap
- The Mekong Butterfly (กลุ่มเสรีภาพแม่น้ำโขง)
- Towards Organic Asia (TOA)
- Ubon Monitoring Group on Flood and Mekong Dams (UMFD) (เครือข่ายประชาชนจับตาน้ำท่วมอุบล-
เขื่อนแม่น้ำโขง) - World Rainforest Movement (WRM)
