The ecological shift in Southeast Asia. Competing norms, national policies, local practices

Southeast Asia’s ecological landscape is undergoing profound transformation, driven by the intersection of transnational environmental agendas, national policies, and local adaptations. While some states embrace green deal and carbon neutrality, some prioritize extractive industries. Meanwhile, philosophical and religious traditions offer alternative ecological ethics, while investigative journalism and social movements challenge official narratives on conservation. These competing forces leads to competing norms that shape the region’s broader trajectory toward ecological resilience or crisis.

The ASEAN-China Norms Summer School 2025 seeks to explore these shifting through an interdisciplinary lens, bringing together leading scholars, practitioners, and graduate students. The Summer School will provide a critical space to reflect how ecological norms are constructed, contested, and institutionalized across Southeast Asia. Participants will assess the contemporary challenges and identify emerging trajectories for future research.

Organised in Malaysia by the Institute Pondok Perancis for the ASEAN-China Norms international research network.

Call for Applications

The ASEAN-China Norms Summer School 2025 has 25 spots available for post-graduate, PhD and Post-doctoral students working on issues related to.

A contribution fees of 180 euros will be collected to cover 7 nights of accommodation in Terengganu (Kuala Terengganu and Mangkuk), site visits, lunch and registration. Travelling costs will be borne by participants.

Applicants should submit a scientific CV (2 pages) along with a motivation letter (300–500 words) providing a brief explanation of how their research interests align with the focus and overall goals of the Summer School. Accepted students will be expected to submit some written work—either a work in progress or a more finalised piece—that will form the basis for peer review discussion during the Summer School.

All applications will be evaluated by the organising committee based on the quality of the curriculum vitae and letter of motivation. The results will be communicated by 1 May 2025.

Application email : aseanchinanorms19@gmail.com

Application deadline: 25^th April 2025.

Programme

Keynotes

1. Philippe Le Guern – PTAC, University of Rennes, France & Pierre Lagrange –LIER-FYT CNRS-Ehess, Paris, France
2. Gilles Lhulier– ENS Rennes & IUF, France
3. Danial Yussof - ISTAC-IIUM, Kuala Lumpur & David Delfolie– Sciences Po Lille, France
4. Eduardo Tadem – University of Philippines, Diliman, Philippines (tbc)
    
5. Laure Siegel - Mediapart, Bangkok, Thailand

Speakers & Moderators

Virginie Arantes (ULB, Belgique) ; Nora A. Bakar (Kuala Lumpur) ; Beverly Besmanos (AFRIM, Mindanao) ; François Xavier Bonnet (Irasec-CNRS, Manille) ; Cher Hui Yun (ARI, NUS, Singapour) ; Flavia Fabiano (CIRAD, Montpellier) ; Allim Jamalludin (ECOSWED Initiative, Mangkuk, Setiu) ; Jarina Jani (Université Malaysia Terengganu, Kuala Terengganu) ; Mohd Azlan Jayasilan bin Abdul Gulam Azad (UNIMAS, Sarawak à confirmer) ; Elsa Lafaye de Micheaux (CASE, Inalco, Paris) ; Rohani Longuet (Bibliothèque Rohani, Pulau Duyung) ; Pablo Ouziel (The Temple Foundation, Barcelone) ; Fahmi Panimbang (LIPS, Indonésie) ; Louise Perrodin (Institut Convergences Migrations, Cnrs, France) ; Nurul Huda (JMG, Malaisie, à confirmer) ; Baptise Salmon, (CEARC, U. Saclay, France), Tanguy Sandre (CEARC, U. Saclay, France) ; Gurdial Singh (Kuala Lumpur, Malaisie) ; Aude Vidal (Paris) ; Karen Yen (Canpoeti, Barcelone)..

Visited Sites

Kuala Terengganu; Pulau Duyung; Mangkuk; Setiu Wetland; Redang Island (Terengganu, Malaysia).
 

Partnerships

Centre for Southeast Asia (CASE, CNRS-Ehess-Inalco), Sciences Po Lille, Institute Universitaire de France, ARI, NUS-Singapore, Inalco, French Embassy in Malaysia; French Ministry of European and Foreign Affairs.

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