The Irasec Newsletter - 12 Feb 07
You can now download our Newsletter from our website, in the "Documents" section, or directly by clicking on this link.
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New Release: Dictionnaire des Khmers rouge - 01 Jan 07
De Solomon Kane, introduction de David Chandler, Ed IRASEC – Aux lieux d’être, 462 p
Plus de trente ans après la prise de pouvoir des Khmers rouges, le procès des auteurs d’une des pires tragédies du XXe siècle est en passe de s’ouvrir avec sur le banc des accusés une poignée de vieillards, derniers compagnons de route de Pol Pot encore en vie.
Ce travail sans précédent dissèque les rouages du mouvement, élucide le parcours des protagonistes, cartographie un territoire soumis à la terreur et met à jour les ressorts et les séquelles de cette aventure funeste. En perçant l’hermétisme entretenu par les Khmers rouges ce dictionnaire avec ses 370 entrées, son abondante iconographie et sa chronologie précise contribue efficacement à éclaircir l’une des questions fondamentales du monde contemporain : qu’est –ce qu’une administration politique criminelle ?
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Conférence : Les Chinois de Thaïlande - 23 Nov 06
Conférence de Jean Baffie à l'auditorium de l'Alliance française de Bangkok.
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International Workshop on the European Economic Presence in Southeast Asia - 16 Nov 06
After almost a year of research on the European economic presence in Southeast Asia, which has been coordinated by David Hoyrup and Guy Faure, the IRASEC – Research Institute on Contemporary Southeast Asia, organized an international conference in Bangkok, November 16/ 17, 2006. Gathering the authors, specialists on the topic from embassies, universities, private sector, as well as researchers from India, China, and Japan, this conference aimed to (i) present our study to a wide assembly of specialists able to comment and discuss the subject, and (ii) communicate on the outcome of our research to the public, and on our coming publication (2007). After two days of intense discussion, we have reached both of our objectives. Critics, remarks and comments that have been made appeared to be very instructive, and helpful for the finalization of our common work. Our goal is now to take into account information we received during this workshop and provide our readers a final and enriching version of our study.
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Conférence: "La Thaïlande vue par les Français, depuis Louis XIV" par Laurent Hennequin - 04 Jul 06
Lecture in French by Laurent Hennequin, professor at Silpakorn university, to mark the launch of his book: Thaïlande - Ressources documentaires françaises.
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Exposition : 1250-1950 : sept siècles de cartographie et de voyages à Timor - 20 May 06
Présentée le 20 mai 2006 dans le cadre de la journée " Timor Leste : Quatre ans d'indépendance "
de 12h30 à 17h, à bord de la péniche "L'Alternat", amarrée à Paris/Bercy, sur la rive droite de la Seine, à la hauteur du Palais Omnisports de Bercy. Station de métro : Bercy.
L'île de Timor, au carrefour des mondes asiatique et océanien, représente une petite tâche de couleur à l'échelle du globe terrestre. Pourtant, cette terre plus grande que la Belgique recèle une grande diversité tant naturelle qu'humaine. Timor est aussi le nom d'une mer par laquelle sont passés bien des navires, célèbres ou oubliés.
Cette exposition a été présentée dans une version portugaise à Dili en novembre 2005 et à la bibliothèque municipale de Lisbonne en décembre 2005. Elle s'inscrit dans le cadre d'une recherche soutenue par l'IRASEC (Institut de Recherche sur l'Asie du Sud-Est Contemporaine-Bangkok), la Fundação Oriente et l'amicale France-Timor Leste. Elle s'efforce de lever une partie du voile qui couvre cette île que s'étaient partagés pendant des siècles Hollandais et Portugais, mais qui est surtout connue pour son histoire contemporaine tragique de 1975 à 1999.
En effet, loin d'être une île " sauvage ", " pauvre ", où tout serait à reconstruire depuis zéro, comme on l'entend souvent dans les médias, Timor est une île riche d'une histoire complexe et surprenante à bien des égards.
L'exposition s'attache à en montrer les aspects les plus marquants depuis les premières chroniques chinoises qui l'évoquent vers 1250 jusqu'au milieu du 20ème siècle, en croisant deux éléments majeurs : la cartographie et les voyages.
Par-delà les discours sur l'ancienneté de la découverte et de la colonisation, et dans un contexte où beaucoup d'archives textuelles ont disparu, les cartes permettent de prendre la mesure de la connaissance limitée qu'ont longtemps eu les étrangers, commerçants, explorateurs et conquérants. D'origines très diverses : anglaises, espagnoles, flamandes, françaises, italiennes, portugaises… ces cartes révèlent une construction très lente de la représentation géographique, avec parfois des régressions dans la connaissance. De fait, Hollandais comme Portugais n'ont vraiment colonisé l'intérieur des terres qu'à partir des années 1910 et il a fallu attendre quatre siècles de tâtonnements après la première carte de Francisco Rodrigues en 1512 pour que l'administration coloniale portugaise ne produise enfin la première " ébauche " de carte précise de l'île, en 1927.
Parallèlement, Timor s'est trouvée sur la route de bien des voyages, dont certains ont eu un grand retentissement dans l'histoire. Ainsi, après deux ans de tourmente, ce qui restait de la flotte de Fernand de Magellan est passé à Timor en 1522 lors du premier voyage autour du monde. Au milieu du 18ème siècle, le botaniste Pierre Poivre a séjourné dans l'île à la recherche de girofliers et de muscadiers, qu'il voulait transplanter dans les îles Maurice et de la Réunion, afin de briser le monopole hollandais sur les épices. En 1789, abandonné sur une chaloupe au milieu de l'océan Pacifique, le capitaine Bligh du célèbre Bounty était tellement effrayé par la sauvagerie des Polynésiens qu'il a décidé de parcourir 8 300 kilomètres sans s'arrêter afin de rejoindre Timor qu'il considérait comme la terre civilisée la plus proche. La connaissance sur cette île doit également beaucoup aux grandes expéditions françaises à la découverte des terres australes et particulièrement à celles de Nicolas Baudin (1800-1803) et de Louis-Claude de Freycinet (1817-1820), qui ont toutes deux laissées de nombreuses études et gravures. De même, les naturalistes britanniques Alfred Russel Wallace, co-découvreur de la théorie de l'évolution avec Charles Darwin, et Henry Forbes ont laissé des témoignages précieux sur cette terre lointaine, à la fois scientifiques et de voyageurs curieux.
L'exposition, dont le champ historique s'arrête au milieu du 20ème siècle, sera prolongée dans le cadre d'un livre à paraître prochainement :
Frédéric Durand, Timor 1250-2005, 750 ans de cartographie et de voyages, éditions Arkuiris-IRASEC, 520 pages, à paraître à l'été 2006.
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IRASEC-IAS Memorandum of Understanding signature - 10 Apr 06
The Institute of Asian Studies (IAS, Chululongkorn University) and the IRASEC have launched, at the beginning of the year, a cooperation agreement. A Roundtable titled: « France and Southeast Asia Relations: Development and Trends », the first event jointly organised by both institutes on April 10th 2006, was the opportunity to make this collaboration official through the signature of a Memorandum of Understanding which plans the setting up of common activities – seminars, roundtables, research programs, etc. – on topics related to the Greater Mekong Subregion. Marjolaine Gallet (IRASEC) is in charge of the cooperation.
Photo 1 : 1st row: Guy Faure (Director, IRASEC), Supang Chantavanich (Director, IAS), Annabel Bhamani Kajornboon (Deputy Director for Administrative Affairs, IAS), Marjolaine Gallet (Coordinator for IRASEC-IAS program), Christian Depierre (French language cooperation Attaché, French embassy).
2nd row: Pornpimol Trichot (Mekong Studies Center, IAS), Ukrist Pathmanand (Mekong Studies Center, IAS), Rapeeporn Tanamai (Research Assistante, IAS), Supeerat Chumak (Research Assistante, IAS).
3rd row : Isabelle Miscot (Fisrt Secretary, French Embassy), François Gerles (Scientific Editor, IRASEC), David Hoyrup (Researcher, IRASEC)
Photo 2 : Guy Faure and Supang Chantavanich
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1250-1950 : Sete séculos de cartografia e de viagens a Timor [1250-1950: seven centuries of cartography and travels to Timor] - 25 Nov 05
Exhibition and lecture by Frédéric Durand, in Portuguese, at the Fundação Oriente in Dili.
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Book Launch of "Aceh" - 15 Nov 05
Panel discussion in English for the book launch of "Aceh - History Unfinished", with Joe Cochrane (Newsweek), Voja Miladinovic (independent photographer), Simon Montlake (Christian Science Monitor) and Jean-Claude Pomonti (Le Monde), at the FCCT (Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand).
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Lecture by Renaud Égreteau : "Caught in Rivalry? Burma between India and China" - 09 Nov 05
Lecture organized by the Southeast Asian Studies Center, the Institute of Asian Studies Chulalongkorn University, and Irasec, at Chulalongkorn University.
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Lecture by Éric Frécon "Menace pirate sur le détroit" - 21 Oct 05
On the occasion of the release of "Jolly Roger over Southeast Asia - The Resurgence of Sea Piracy", Éric Frécon will discuss the movie with the audience after its projection.
Alliance Française of Bangkok.
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Lancement officiel de l'ouvrage "Cambodge Soir - Chroniques sociales d'un pays au quotidien" - 05 Oct 05
À l'occasion du 10e anniversaire de Cambodge Soir, l'ambassade de France au Cambodge a organisé une soirée au cours de laquelle l'ouvrage Cambodge Soir - Chroniques sociales d'un pays au quotidien a été officiellement lancé.
Lire aussi : lien
Photo (de gauche à droite) : Mme Roé d'Albert, SE M. Yvon Roé d'Albert (ambassadeur de France au Cambodge), Pierre Gillette (rédacteur en chef de Cambodge Soir) et Grégoire Rochigneux (directeur adjoint de l'Irasec, qui a dirigé l'ouvrage).
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Lecture by Michel Gilquin "Les musulmans de Thaïlande, entre volonté d'intégration et tentation du repli sur soi" - 26 Sep 05
On the occasion of the release of his book "The Muslims of Thailand".
Alliance Française of Bangkok.
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SYMPOSIUM: Investigating the grey areas of the Chinese community in Southeast Asia - 06 Jan 05
Scientific coordinator: Arnaud LEVEAU
The Issue
Amongst all the minorities that are present in Southeast Asia, the Chinese diaspora originating from mainland China is by far the most influential. Its centuries-old presence, its demographic importance, the richness of its networks, its cultural, economical and political influence on some countries in the zone, all these raise a series of questions. The diaspora’s role is essentially a political question. Who are the real Chinese and to what extent are they integrated in the host country ? Does the multi- dimensional influence of this group pose a threat to regional stability or is it a major advantage as far as economic integration and the ASEAN’s relations with the Chinese world are concerned ? The activity of the diaspora and its integration with the various host countries are two questions that are profoundly linked to the changes that China itself has undergone. With its opening up and its economic growth, China is once again, in a certain way, bringing up the question of the role and the allegiance of its « expatriates »
In most of the countries in the zone, the members of the Chinese diaspora have secured important positions in the fields of administration, education and religion, and their cultural influence continues to grow, thanks to their capacity to work and to adapt as well as to their frugality. Clans and factions form the essential structure of the Chinese society. If Imperial China never developed Civil Law, it is no doubt because Chinese society never really saw the need for it. This structure of relations could also explain why the Chinese civilisation did not develop a real territorial reference.
The Chinese diaspora today covers political and economical realities that are different and even conflicting. What primarily characterises it is apparently its great capacity to organise itself in any economical, political, social or cultural environment. The capacity of the economic and administrative elites of these zones to work together has been the determining factor of their development.
However, the existence of informal and transnational networks can also favour the development of criminal activities. The presence of mafia groups of Chinese origin and their collusion with the world of finance and politics are historical facts in the region and represent today a real threat to its stability. These criminal networks tend to forge business links with their Japanese, Korean, Russian or Italian counterparts and to interfere with the process of political decision making. The recent appearance of links between these mafia networks and the Islamic separatist movements in the Philippines and in Indonesia or in South Thailand, only magnifies the threat they represent at the global level.
IRASEC has chosen to focus on the subject of the symposium by concentrating the presentations on the shadow areas of the Chinese diaspora in Southeast Asia. By bringing together specialists in the same field, a real intellectual value addition can be brought to the subject of discussion, by an in-depth treatment through successive presentations and also by the dialogue that will take place between the invited specialists. Consequently, this will enable communication among the speakers as well as between the speakers and the audience.
Speakers
Jean BAFFIE (Researcher, CNRS, France) :
Ang-yi, simple criminal gangs or 'total social phenomena
Todd BANCROFT (Interpol, Hongkong) :
An Overview of the Triads: Past & Present
Frans WINARTA (Lawyer, Indonesia) :
The grey side of the Chinese community in Indonesia
CHU YIU KONG (Assistant Professor at Hong Kong university) :
Triad involvement in the sex industry in Hong Kong and its impacts on southeast Asia
RATANAPORN DHAMMAKOSOL (Political advisor, Thailand) :
Political influences of the Chinese communities
Peter MICHAEL (Journalist - South China Morning Post, Hong Kong) :
Triads from street operation to transnational crime
Pierre LE ROUX (AFESIP, Research Unit Director, Cambodia) :
The Chinese Diaspora’s involvement in the prostitution trade at the Thailand-Malaysia border
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Lao PDR in the 21st Century - 16 Dec 04
For the book launch of « Le Laos au XXIe siècle, les défis de l’intégration régionale », the French Embassy in Laos and IRASEC organized a round table at the Centre de Langue Française with one of the authors, Vattana Pholsena, lecturer at the National University of Singapore.
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Singapore's Housing Policies - 09 Dec 04
For the book launch of « A Roof Over Every Head, Singapore Housing Policies Between State Monopoly and Privatization » at Singapore's National Institute of Education, the French Embassy, the NIE and IRASEC organized a conference by the authors professors Wong Tai-Chee and Xavier Guillot.
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"Development in the Philippines" - 20 Nov 03
For the launching of the book "Elites et développement : un pari perdu ?" at the Ateneo university of Manilla, IRASEC presents a photo exhibition of Agence France Presse (AFP) entitled "Development in the Philippines".
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SEFASE workshop - 25 Oct 03
In order to organize the next Séfase Seminar (Séminaire Francophone d’Asie du Sud-Est – French language seminar of Southeast Asia) that will be held in Singapore from 25 to 30 October 2003, the Cultural Section of the French Embassy in Singapore and the Regional Director for Scientific and Technical Cooperation entrusted IRASEC with the task of arranging the topic, the programme and the guest-list for the Seminar that will be titled, “ Social sciences and contemporary Southeast Asia. What methods for what results? How to assess the work accomplished so far? In what way are social science studies carried out on contemporary Southeast Asia?”
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Exhibition of photographs by Adhémar Leclère - 04 Jun 03
On the occasion of the book launch of «Des montagnards aux minorités ethniques», IRASEC and the French Cultural Centre of Phnom Penh will organize a lecture with Mathieu Guérin, one of the authors. At the same time, there will be an exhibition of 30 photographs taken in the 19th Century in Northeast Cambodia by Adhémar Leclère, former French administrator. This collection, loaned by the Musée des beaux-arts et de la dentelle d'Alençon, (Alençon Museum of Fine Arts and Lace), is being shown in Asia for the first time.
The exhibition has also been shown at the national museum of Chiang Sen (Northern Thailand), from the 15th November 2003 to the 5th January 2004, where it received about 5000 visitors. It was later presented in January at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand, in March at the Chiang Mai bureau of the École française d'Extrême Orient and in May at the Princess Sirindhorn anthropology Centre.
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First International Book Fair of Bangkok - 27 Mar 03
At the first International Book Fair in Thailand, IRASEC and the Alliance Française of Bangkok shared a stand where the publications of the Institute were presented. The theme of the Fair was China, and on this occasion IRASEC brought out a book on the influence of the Chinese communities in Thailand and Vietnam. What is more, the book was presented by its author, Arnaud Leveau, in the Fair’s auditorium.
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Francophonie Week - 17 Mar 03
In the framework of the Francophonie Week, the French Embassy in Thailand, along with the 10 other French-speaking diplomatic representations in Bangkok, organized a prestigious conference during which IRASEC presented its activities and an update on Social Science research in the region. The function was presided over by Princess Galyani Vadhana at the Sofitel Silom hotel.
Photo 1 : Princess Galyani talking with H.E. Laurent Aublin (centre) and Mr. Stéphane Dovert (right).
Photo 2 : The Princess in the midst of the Ambassadors and Chargés d'affaires of the eleven French-speaking diplomatic representations in Thailand, as well as those who addressed the Conference.
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Visit of Mr Renaud Muselier - 21 Nov 02
On the occasion of the visit to Thailand by Mr. Renaud Muselier, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, a cocktail was organized by the French Embassy, centered on IRASEC, under the locally prestigious aegis of the Siam Society (Society of intellectuals dedicated to Thai culture and history). One hundred and fifty invitees were present, including several journalists and personalities from the Thai Academic world.
Photo : Mr. Renaud Muselier (left) and Mr. Stéphane Dovert (right).
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