From September 9–11, 2025, our circle initiator, Dr. Anna Christi Suwardi, represented DEEP EnGender at the RC48 Summer School Retreat in Montreal, Canada. The retreat was hosted by the International Sociological Association (ISA) Research Committee on Social Movements, Collective Action, and Social Change (RC48).

The program brought together scholars, activists, and practitioners from the Global South and Global North to reflect on the intersections of social movements and their contemporary developments, covering themes from feminist and women’s movements to climate justice.

Renowned Canadian voices in social movement studies, Prof. Lesley Wood (York University) and Prof. Chris Dixon (Carleton University), shared insights on grounding social movements as analytical frameworks while emphasizing the importance of sustaining solidarity between scholarship and activism. Unlike most formal academic gatherings, the retreat was intentionally communal and participatory, fostering stronger bonds and meaningful connections among participants.

Dr. Suwardi was selected to join this program based on her research on women’s digital movements for peace amidst two decades of conflict in the southern border provinces of Thailand. She presented her work through a creative video format, which was highly appreciated by fellows from Canada, Brazil, Taiwan, Chile, Austria, Germany, the UK, and Mexico. Her presentation highlighted how research and storytelling, when delivered through audio-visual means, can touch audiences in powerful ways beyond written text.

We are proud of Dr. Suwardi’s contribution and honored that DEEP EnGender’s perspective was part of this global exchange linking scholarship, activism, and solidarity for social change.

DEEP EnGender is honored and proud to be invited as one of the CSO representatives from Indonesia to the 2025 ASEAN Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, held on 9–10 September 2025.
This important agenda resonates with our ongoing commitment to advancing peace and gender justice as part of our broader mission of bridging divides through ecological regeneration, Indigenous food systems, and the right to education across Southeast Asia and beyond.

Together with our Project Coordinator, Fatin Jamjuree, MSW, & our Chairperson, Dr. Sadar Ginting joined this space of dialogue and exchange, sharing experiences and lessons with colleagues from across the ASEAN region. When it comes to so-called “best practices,” our Chairperson reflected that the term often feels blurry. What truly matters is the exchange of lived experiences, our own engagement with communities and stakeholders, as well as the stories that communities themselves share. These encounters reveal how local contexts generate diverse pathways for building resilience, sustaining peace, and advancing gender justice. Rather than assuming there is one “best” model to replicate, each story reminds us that peacebuilding is always contextual and evolving.

“Peacebuilding is always contextual and evolving. There is no single model, only diverse pathways shaped by communities themselves.”

Key reflections emerged from the following sessions:
Gender-Responsive Climate Action & Disaster Resilience for Peace and Security, and Preventing & Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE)
This dialogue underscored how inseparable peace and climate justice are, and how addressing violent extremism requires not only security responses but also inclusive, gender-responsive approaches rooted in resilience.
Intersectional Perspectives & Human-Centered Security in Thailand
Here, diverse groups such as conflict-affected caregivers, women fishers, rural farmers, and migrant women shared how they face layered vulnerabilities, yet also lead as peacebuilders, environmental defenders, and community leaders.
The Role of Youth, Persons with Disabilities, and Indigenous Communities in Advancing the WPS Agenda in ASEAN
This exchange highlighted the transformative power of inclusive participation. Youth, Indigenous voices, and persons with disabilities bring diverse perspectives and resilience strategies that are vital to reimagining peacebuilding in our region.

Moving Forward
For DEEP EnGender, participation in this summit is not only about representing Indonesia but also about amplifying the voices of communities across Southeast Asia who live at the intersection of climate vulnerability, conflict, and gender inequality. The insights gained from these discussions reaffirm our belief that peacebuilding is most effective when grounded in local realities and enriched by inclusive participation.
We look forward to bringing these lessons into our ongoing initiatives, from strengthening Indigenous food systems in Indonesia to empowering youth storytellers through the Youth-Inclusive Learning Academy (YILA), and from advancing ecological justice to championing the right to education for marginalized groups.
As we return from the 2025 ASEAN WPS Summit, DEEP EnGender remains committed to turning dialogue into practice, working alongside communities, civil society partners, and policymakers to build a more peaceful, just, and sustainable future for all.

On April 19th, 2025, DEEP EnGender proudly launched the Youth-Inclusive Learning Academy (YILA Academy)—a vibrant, virtual initiative designed to empower the next generation of changemakers across Southeast Asia. YILA Academy is more than just a program; it is a movement. It builds on the momentum of our previous youth-led project, Indigenous Rights to Education for Sustainability, which was selected for the Youth Empowerment Fund 2024, supported by Global Youth Mobilization and funded by the European Union.

This year, YILA Academy proudly welcomes 21 passionate youth leaders aged 15–18 from Indonesia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, and Timor-Leste. These young voices are united by a shared commitment to sustainability, justice, and collective regeneration. The 2025 cohort represents a rich diversity of backgrounds—rural and conflict-affected areas, urban centers, and international classrooms. Among the participants are artists, environmental defenders, aspiring educators, tech-savvy innovators, and inclusion advocates. Many have overcome barriers such as limited access to education, disability, or social stigma, and now bring with them stories of resilience, creativity, and courage. Despite their different paths, they all share one powerful vision: a future that is sustainable, inclusive, and equitable for all.

The program was opened with a powerful keynote by Prof. Alberto Gomes, founder of the Global Deep Network. He encouraged participants to become the “lamp”—a Sanskrit term for Deep—that shines a light on the path toward ecological regeneration and a more compassionate world. His remarks set the tone for a journey centered on empathy, awareness, and action.

YILA Academy will run from April 19 to June 14, 2025, consisting of nine weekly sessions held every Saturday. The academy focuses on building key communication skills—storytelling, public speaking, and sustainability advocacy—through interactive workshops, deep reflections, and collaborative discussions. These sessions are designed not only to strengthen participants’ voices, but also to provide a space where ideas are exchanged and collective solutions are nurtured.

The learning journey is led by Dr. Anna Christi Suwardi, Ph.D., a certified educator under the UK Professional Standards Framework (UKPSF) with Fellow (FHEA) status. She is supported by a passionate team of instructors, including Mr. Bandar Sinsae, Ms. Waenarima Waeyama, Ms. Bonyapat Moonrat, and Ms. Phoelina Tiew from Mae Fah Luang University, as well as Mr. Afalendra Fathineyza S. from Samakkhi Wittayakhom School International Program. Together, they guide participants through a transformative process of personal and collective empowerment.

Through YILA Academy, these youth are not only gaining essential skills in communication and leadership, but are also forging bonds across borders and cultures. The academy provides a platform for them to amplify unheard voices, challenge injustice, and work toward systemic change. It is not simply a training program—it is a collaborative journey where young people lead the way in reimagining the future and shaping sustainable solutions grounded in empathy and equity.