In late 2025, Tropical Storm Senyar devastated parts of Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia, claiming over 1,100 lives and exposing state neglect in the face of ecological disaster. Yet amid the destruction, communities across Southeast Asia stepped in—mobilising relief, care, and solidarity where institutions failed.

This edition of Voices to Power invites participants to reflect on these realities through storytelling. Drawing from ecological memory, the workshop explores how stories can help us understand our relationship with nature, unlearn extractive ideas of “development,” and imagine futures rooted in care, respect, and belonging.

Led by writer and journalist Titah AW, Voices to Power #5: With Our Words, We Brave Dark Waters is a space to discover how storytelling can be a tool for healing, community-building, and change—by the people, for the people.

Join the Media Freedom Network (MFN) for Voices from the Ground: Power, Protests, and the Philippines and learn of the nationwide outrage over the flood-control corruption scandal. We’ll examine how billions allegedly vanished, why communities took to the streets in the Baha sa Luneta and Trillion Peso March, and how ordinary Filipinos are demanding accountability. With insights from scholars Dr Sol Iglesias and Francis Joseph “Kiko” Aquino Dee, this briefing will unpack what the protests reveal about power, impunity, and public anger, and explore how Southeast Asians can stand in solidarity with the Philippines at this critical moment.

At New Naratif, we believe that stories are powerful tools for creating awareness, emotion, and most of all, change. After all, when the oceans, the trees, and the soil fall silent, it is incumbent on us to be their voices and to come to their aid—not just for them but for all of mankind to build a fairer, more peaceful world. Learn how stories can be used as powerful tools to create change for the planet at Voices to Power #3: Letters for the Mother We Share happening on Thu, 30 Oct, from 7:30 pm - 9:30pm

Join the Media Freedom Network (MFN) for Erasing Online Gender-Based Violence and gain a clear, practical view of how gendered harms have migrated into our digital lives. We’ll unpack what we can do to build safer, more inclusive digital spaces without surrendering free speech for the many.

Drawing on the expertise of PurpleCode Collective, this 90-minute digital security training will look holistically at online gender-based violence, practical strategies for creating and maintaining safe spaces, and tools to protect ourselves and our communities so we can keep doing the work Southeast Asia needs.

From elections to demonstrations, from protests to riots, and everything in between, living in the digital age means being more attuned to what happens across borders, seas, and oceans. With everything that’s happening, a new togetherness has coalesced between us — that of the SEAbling. Though we may have differences, spats, and sometimes all-out flame wars online, we are slowly realising that we often share the same struggles, including institutional violence, societal injustice, and a general decline in democracy.

Join the Media Freedom Network (MFN) for Reset Indonesia: Voices from the Ground and gain insight into the unfolding protests shaking Indonesia. We’ll examine the conditions that sparked nationwide demonstrations, the killing of Gojek driver Affan Kurniawan, and the rising violence against protesters, journalists, paramedics, and students. Drawing on the 17 + 8 demands of Reset Indonesia, this briefing will highlight what civil society is calling for and explore how Southeast Asians can act in solidarity during this critical moment.

If you’re a budding storyteller, or if you are also dreaming for change in Southeast Asia, join us and Melizarani T. Selva for the latest edition of Voices to Power, a writing workshop where we will lead our collective reflection on national histories, canons, and narratives and their reimagination of the nation-state. With a pinch of hope, a dash of imagination, and a whole lot of craft, we hope that Southeast Asian storytellers will use their stories to create change and to bring new life to new, radical ideas. 

Join Yulia Sri Perdani, Sustainability Director at Project Multatuli, and the Media Freedom Network (MFN) and find out how independent media can survive and thrive, despite a hostile environment and deep-set challenges. Drawing from her experience in journalism, media innovation, and development communications, Yulia will share practical insights into surviving, and even thriving, as an independent newsroom in an unpredictable funding environment.

Join Dr Jean Linis-Dinco, Digital Rights Advisor at Manushya Foundation, and the Media Freedom Network (MFN) for a vital conversation on the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI), human rights, and media freedom in Southeast Asia. Drawing from Manushya’s groundbreaking report on AI in Thailand, this free online event will explore how emerging technologies impact privacy, surveillance, and civic space across the region.

Southeast Asia has a long tradition of telling stories within its many different cultures. From folklore and fables to biting satire and social critique, we…