2009 Annual Report

Southeast Asia Regional

American Center for International Labor Solidarity
$890,000
To reinforce democracy and to promote freedom of association in Thailand by building the capacity of unions, strengthening the rule of law, and protecting worker rights; to strengthen democratic labor unions in Burma and to promote compliance by the Burmese government with international labor standards and ILO Conventions on Forced Labor and Freedom of Association, and to protect the legal rights of Burmese migrant workers in Thailand; to promote participatory and multi-ethnic democracy in Malaysia through labor education programs; and to develop labor programs in Vietnam.

Center for International Law (CenterLaw)
$17,425
To strengthen a network of lawyers committed to protecting press freedom in Southeast Asia, and identify common challenges and explore litigation strategies towards this end. CenterLaw will organize three-day conference in Cebu, Philippines on media defense litigation. Participants will assess the current media environment, challenges and opportunities for litigation, and future plans to formalize the structure, role, and function of a media defense lawyers’ network.

Southeast Asian Press Alliance
$45,000
To promote press freedom and to improve the professionalism and capability of journalists throughout the region. SEAPA will offer journalism training courses, host an internship program, and manage a freedom of expression program.