Focus: Covid-19 PandemicAll contributions regarding the political impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic in Asia and the world. Feature Article Digital Life under Covid-19 and beyond: A video on impact resource bridging platform Dream Impact Video Series The pandemic accelerated and changed many social impact communities across the globe. Social impact encompasses the impact everyone of us creates, whether positive or negative - all these activities create an impact on the environment and people as well as the world around us... Asian Articles Digital Life under Covid-19 and beyond: a video on innovators in Sustainability and Social Impact Video Series This article takes a closer look at examples of Sustainability and Social Impact entrepreneurs and startups in Asia which have accelerated their business or had a market launch or even expansion because of Covid-19. By Kristina Ernst Digital Life under Covid-19 and beyond: A Video on Asian Innovators in EdTech Video Series This article takes a closer look at some examples of EdTech entrepreneurs and startups in Hong Kong and Asia-Pacific which have accelerated their business because of Covid-19, as well as academics who have been studying the digitization of education and its impacts. By Kristina Ernst Digital Life under Covid-19 and beyond: A Video on Innovators in TravelTech Video Series This article takes a closer look at some examples of TravelTech startups in Asia-Pacific and North America that have accelerated their business or had a market launch or even expansion because of Covid-19. By Kristina Ernst Digital Life under Covid-19 and beyond: A Video on Asian Innovators in HealthTech Video Series We take a closer look at some examples of HealthTech companies and startups in the Asia Pacific region who have addressed the Covid-19 pandemic with their solutions. By Kristina Ernst In the Philippines, distance learning reveals the digital divide Feature Forced to follow a “no vaccine, no classes” policy, the Philippines has implemented distance-learning programs that exacerbate existing inequalities. By Ana P. Santos South Korea’s Reforms Should not be Called a Green New Deal Commentary South Korea has put forth a “Green New Deal”, whose ambiguous targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and failure to propose a just transition to clean energy make the program unworthy of its name. By Lee Yujin Why we need to rethink open data in Asia during Covid-19 Commentary In Asia, the pandemic has accelerated efforts to keep citizens informed through prompt and extensive data sharing. However, this new openness has also led to concerns regarding transparency, data protection, and democratic participation. By Benjamin Zhou Can a national ID database ease the burden of Covid-19 in the Philippines? Analysis The pandemic has increased calls for a national ID system to improve access to relief funds. Experts say that the proposed plan may not work and may put data security and privacy at risk. By Jasmine Shewakramani Activists in Asia fear anti-disinformation efforts will suppress free speech Analysis In Singapore and South Korea, fact-checking initiatives have been effective in fighting Covid-19 disinformation. But other tactics – like confusing or overly broad laws – could be used to maintain political power. By Christy Tsang Asia’s Covid-19 Response and the Road to a Green Recovery Analysis The unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic has forced governments around the world to adopt drastic fiscal responses. Moving from relief to stimulus provides an opportunity to avoid carbon-dependent, unjust, and unhealthy investments and to ensure a climate- friendly, and socially and environmentally just recovery. By C.P. Chandrasekhar Global Articles South Korea’s Post-Pandemic Digital New Deal and Gender Inclusion Article Technology is gendered. It may be treated as neutral, but its application and support through government policy impact gendered identities, needs and priorities. South Korea’s pandemic response and post-pandemic strategy have inadvertently reversed the nation’s progress in promoting gender equality. This article reviews two gendered experiences of the digital transformation precipitated by Covid-19. It points out the absence of gender inclusion in the national policy advocating digital transformation, and the resulting marginalisation of women. By Jeong-Hyun Lee Editorial Article This pandemic has dragged the world into a puzzling time warp that resembles one of the popular “stop-and-go” childhood games such as the one known in Hong Kong as Red Light, Green Light. Depending on local transmission waves of the disease and health policies, in some months we have found ourselves socially isolated, with work nearly ground to a halt and life plans jeopardised. In other months the clock ticks again – people take a deep breath and walk in the open, hurriedly trot along old routines to make up for lost time, and some have dashed around the clock to set up massive quarantine, vaccination, or aid facilities within tight constraints. The Question of Trust and Governance during the Pandemic Article In Asia and globally, the fight against the coronavirus has illustrated the importance of public trust in authorities, particularly when it comes to the effectiveness of various policy approaches. But what does public trust stem from? Why is it so easily lost, and what does it mean to citizens during a crisis? As the world slowly recovers and opens up, countries in Asia are continuing to grapple with new outbreaks, vaccine hesitancy and other challenges. Reflecting on the past year and a half, we take a closer look at how countries in the region have managed the relationship between the people and the state, as well as the successes – and failures – that are defining their pandemic stories. By Jessie Lau The art of missing the bus Video Last year, even as the coronavirus ambushed India, disrupting the economy and wreaking untold suffering on millions of its citizens, many saw in it a godsend opportunity to hit the reset button and build back a green and just economy. More than a year later, as we crawl out of the horrifying abyss of the second wave, green fantasies have given way to the more urgent task of quickly vaccinating everyone and reviving a battered economy. By Rakesh Kalshian Why local digital solutions in DR Congo remain overlooked Feature An economically demanding and foreign-dominated digital market, along with a lack of political will and trust, make it harder for local digital entrepreneurs to succeed in DR Congo. By Jean de Dieu Cirhigiri Anti-Austerity Green New Deal: A Recovery Plan After the Pandemic Commentary What should a Covid-19 pandemic recovery plan look like for a true recovery? An anti-austerity Green New Deal may be the new solution. By Hasegawa Uiko Divided we fail - Vaccine diplomacy and its implications Background No country is safe from Covid-19 until all countries are safe from Covid-19. To state the obvious: To overcome a pandemic of this magnitude, vaccines must be made available quickly, cheaply, and fairly. By Barbara Unmüßig and Alexandra Sitenko In South Korea, pandemic data transparency comes at a high cost Commentary Efforts to follow social distancing and mask-wearing rules have been crucial to South Korea’s success in containing the Covid-19 pandemic, but experts worry that other measures—such as sharing data from confirmed cases—have stigmatised and harmed marginalised communities. By Dahye Yim and Christoph Mayer Is Covid-19 the challenge health tech was waiting for? Feature The global pandemic became a linchpin for many health-tech startup companies that were struggling to find their purpose. In 2020, the industry saw record funding and attention – and the need to balance investor’s expectations with public health concerns. By Srividya Kalyanaraman The pandemic has made Mexico’s gig economy even riskier Commentary As the economic recession continues, more people are working for delivery apps, flooding the market and lowering the quality of service. By Rodolfo Aguirre Reveles How Covid-19 is spurring civic tech in Senegal Commentary As citizens in Senegal come together to fight misinformation and support healthcare workers, more participation demands more accountability. By Mamadou Diagne How to use data for the public interest, even – or especially -- in a pandemic Commentary Governments, the private sector and other organizations increasingly collect massive amounts of data, some for the public good, other times not. A consistent framework could ensure data use is both beneficial to the public interest and sufficiently protected against misuse. By Aline Blankertz Covid-19 tracing apps may see renewed push under Joe Biden Analysis US President-elect Joe Biden is preparing for a long-overdue national effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus. That may include facilitating and promoting widespread use of smartphone-based tracing apps that have been developed and distributed in a state-by-state patchwork. By Gopal Ratnam Pan-European contact-tracing – a chance for more normality and freer movement Commentary Most EU countries have worked out the kinks in their contact-tracing apps and now offer them as part of efforts to track coronavirus infection and break the chain of transmission. The next step is ensuring the apps can connect across borders. By Zora Siebert Are fitness trackers the next answer to fight Covid-19? Commentary As contact-tracing apps prove less useful than hoped in many countries, other digital tools such as wearable fitness trackers are gaining in popularity for detecting or tracing coronavirus infection. But a reliance on such technologies comes with big questions about effectiveness and privacy. By Deepika Yadav "It must be a plot!" – Coronavirus conspiracy theorists take to streets in Germany Commentary Conspiracy theories might seem funny in ordinary times. But against the backdrop of escalating far-right attacks worldwide in recent years and now the pandemic, these myths have spiraled into a dangerous pattern of radicalization. By Katharina Nocun Social Media Platforms Need to Flatten the Curve of Dangerous Misinformation Commentary The rampant spread of Covid-19 conspiracies serves as a warning that our online information ecosystem can be weaponized well before platform administrators step in. To counter the deluge of viral disinformation, platforms should implement a circuit breaker mechanism to limit the exponential amplification of harmful content. By Ellen P. Goodman and Karen Kornbluh In DR Congo, the challenge is convincing people that coronavirus exists Feature False news is a major threat to the Covid-19 response in DRC. Government distrust, lockdown, and increased social media access accelerate the spread of misinformation and disinformation in the Democratic Republic of Congo. By Jean de Dieu Cirhigiri For people with disabilities, working from home using tech is a relief – and a struggle Analysis Increased use of digital communication tools during the Covid-19 lockdowns has made working from home acceptable – and even more sociable – for many people with disabilities. But technology still has a long way to go toward inclusion. A storyteller, a sales development researcher, a product and graphic designer, and a writer talk about the pros and cons. By Hawken Miller It's time for a transatlantic digital agenda Commentary The pandemic-driven boost of digital innovation holds opportunities, but it needs a sound political framework. From countering disinformation to preventing algorithmic discrimination, the U.S. and the EU need to work together to set the rules for our digital economies and societies. By Julia Reda
Digital Life under Covid-19 and beyond: A video on impact resource bridging platform Dream Impact Video Series The pandemic accelerated and changed many social impact communities across the globe. Social impact encompasses the impact everyone of us creates, whether positive or negative - all these activities create an impact on the environment and people as well as the world around us...
Digital Life under Covid-19 and beyond: a video on innovators in Sustainability and Social Impact Video Series This article takes a closer look at examples of Sustainability and Social Impact entrepreneurs and startups in Asia which have accelerated their business or had a market launch or even expansion because of Covid-19. By Kristina Ernst
Digital Life under Covid-19 and beyond: A Video on Asian Innovators in EdTech Video Series This article takes a closer look at some examples of EdTech entrepreneurs and startups in Hong Kong and Asia-Pacific which have accelerated their business because of Covid-19, as well as academics who have been studying the digitization of education and its impacts. By Kristina Ernst
Digital Life under Covid-19 and beyond: A Video on Innovators in TravelTech Video Series This article takes a closer look at some examples of TravelTech startups in Asia-Pacific and North America that have accelerated their business or had a market launch or even expansion because of Covid-19. By Kristina Ernst
Digital Life under Covid-19 and beyond: A Video on Asian Innovators in HealthTech Video Series We take a closer look at some examples of HealthTech companies and startups in the Asia Pacific region who have addressed the Covid-19 pandemic with their solutions. By Kristina Ernst
In the Philippines, distance learning reveals the digital divide Feature Forced to follow a “no vaccine, no classes” policy, the Philippines has implemented distance-learning programs that exacerbate existing inequalities. By Ana P. Santos
South Korea’s Reforms Should not be Called a Green New Deal Commentary South Korea has put forth a “Green New Deal”, whose ambiguous targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and failure to propose a just transition to clean energy make the program unworthy of its name. By Lee Yujin
Why we need to rethink open data in Asia during Covid-19 Commentary In Asia, the pandemic has accelerated efforts to keep citizens informed through prompt and extensive data sharing. However, this new openness has also led to concerns regarding transparency, data protection, and democratic participation. By Benjamin Zhou
Can a national ID database ease the burden of Covid-19 in the Philippines? Analysis The pandemic has increased calls for a national ID system to improve access to relief funds. Experts say that the proposed plan may not work and may put data security and privacy at risk. By Jasmine Shewakramani
Activists in Asia fear anti-disinformation efforts will suppress free speech Analysis In Singapore and South Korea, fact-checking initiatives have been effective in fighting Covid-19 disinformation. But other tactics – like confusing or overly broad laws – could be used to maintain political power. By Christy Tsang
Asia’s Covid-19 Response and the Road to a Green Recovery Analysis The unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic has forced governments around the world to adopt drastic fiscal responses. Moving from relief to stimulus provides an opportunity to avoid carbon-dependent, unjust, and unhealthy investments and to ensure a climate- friendly, and socially and environmentally just recovery. By C.P. Chandrasekhar
South Korea’s Post-Pandemic Digital New Deal and Gender Inclusion Article Technology is gendered. It may be treated as neutral, but its application and support through government policy impact gendered identities, needs and priorities. South Korea’s pandemic response and post-pandemic strategy have inadvertently reversed the nation’s progress in promoting gender equality. This article reviews two gendered experiences of the digital transformation precipitated by Covid-19. It points out the absence of gender inclusion in the national policy advocating digital transformation, and the resulting marginalisation of women. By Jeong-Hyun Lee
Editorial Article This pandemic has dragged the world into a puzzling time warp that resembles one of the popular “stop-and-go” childhood games such as the one known in Hong Kong as Red Light, Green Light. Depending on local transmission waves of the disease and health policies, in some months we have found ourselves socially isolated, with work nearly ground to a halt and life plans jeopardised. In other months the clock ticks again – people take a deep breath and walk in the open, hurriedly trot along old routines to make up for lost time, and some have dashed around the clock to set up massive quarantine, vaccination, or aid facilities within tight constraints.
The Question of Trust and Governance during the Pandemic Article In Asia and globally, the fight against the coronavirus has illustrated the importance of public trust in authorities, particularly when it comes to the effectiveness of various policy approaches. But what does public trust stem from? Why is it so easily lost, and what does it mean to citizens during a crisis? As the world slowly recovers and opens up, countries in Asia are continuing to grapple with new outbreaks, vaccine hesitancy and other challenges. Reflecting on the past year and a half, we take a closer look at how countries in the region have managed the relationship between the people and the state, as well as the successes – and failures – that are defining their pandemic stories. By Jessie Lau
The art of missing the bus Video Last year, even as the coronavirus ambushed India, disrupting the economy and wreaking untold suffering on millions of its citizens, many saw in it a godsend opportunity to hit the reset button and build back a green and just economy. More than a year later, as we crawl out of the horrifying abyss of the second wave, green fantasies have given way to the more urgent task of quickly vaccinating everyone and reviving a battered economy. By Rakesh Kalshian
Why local digital solutions in DR Congo remain overlooked Feature An economically demanding and foreign-dominated digital market, along with a lack of political will and trust, make it harder for local digital entrepreneurs to succeed in DR Congo. By Jean de Dieu Cirhigiri
Anti-Austerity Green New Deal: A Recovery Plan After the Pandemic Commentary What should a Covid-19 pandemic recovery plan look like for a true recovery? An anti-austerity Green New Deal may be the new solution. By Hasegawa Uiko
Divided we fail - Vaccine diplomacy and its implications Background No country is safe from Covid-19 until all countries are safe from Covid-19. To state the obvious: To overcome a pandemic of this magnitude, vaccines must be made available quickly, cheaply, and fairly. By Barbara Unmüßig and Alexandra Sitenko
In South Korea, pandemic data transparency comes at a high cost Commentary Efforts to follow social distancing and mask-wearing rules have been crucial to South Korea’s success in containing the Covid-19 pandemic, but experts worry that other measures—such as sharing data from confirmed cases—have stigmatised and harmed marginalised communities. By Dahye Yim and Christoph Mayer
Is Covid-19 the challenge health tech was waiting for? Feature The global pandemic became a linchpin for many health-tech startup companies that were struggling to find their purpose. In 2020, the industry saw record funding and attention – and the need to balance investor’s expectations with public health concerns. By Srividya Kalyanaraman
The pandemic has made Mexico’s gig economy even riskier Commentary As the economic recession continues, more people are working for delivery apps, flooding the market and lowering the quality of service. By Rodolfo Aguirre Reveles
How Covid-19 is spurring civic tech in Senegal Commentary As citizens in Senegal come together to fight misinformation and support healthcare workers, more participation demands more accountability. By Mamadou Diagne
How to use data for the public interest, even – or especially -- in a pandemic Commentary Governments, the private sector and other organizations increasingly collect massive amounts of data, some for the public good, other times not. A consistent framework could ensure data use is both beneficial to the public interest and sufficiently protected against misuse. By Aline Blankertz
Covid-19 tracing apps may see renewed push under Joe Biden Analysis US President-elect Joe Biden is preparing for a long-overdue national effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus. That may include facilitating and promoting widespread use of smartphone-based tracing apps that have been developed and distributed in a state-by-state patchwork. By Gopal Ratnam
Pan-European contact-tracing – a chance for more normality and freer movement Commentary Most EU countries have worked out the kinks in their contact-tracing apps and now offer them as part of efforts to track coronavirus infection and break the chain of transmission. The next step is ensuring the apps can connect across borders. By Zora Siebert
Are fitness trackers the next answer to fight Covid-19? Commentary As contact-tracing apps prove less useful than hoped in many countries, other digital tools such as wearable fitness trackers are gaining in popularity for detecting or tracing coronavirus infection. But a reliance on such technologies comes with big questions about effectiveness and privacy. By Deepika Yadav
"It must be a plot!" – Coronavirus conspiracy theorists take to streets in Germany Commentary Conspiracy theories might seem funny in ordinary times. But against the backdrop of escalating far-right attacks worldwide in recent years and now the pandemic, these myths have spiraled into a dangerous pattern of radicalization. By Katharina Nocun
Social Media Platforms Need to Flatten the Curve of Dangerous Misinformation Commentary The rampant spread of Covid-19 conspiracies serves as a warning that our online information ecosystem can be weaponized well before platform administrators step in. To counter the deluge of viral disinformation, platforms should implement a circuit breaker mechanism to limit the exponential amplification of harmful content. By Ellen P. Goodman and Karen Kornbluh
In DR Congo, the challenge is convincing people that coronavirus exists Feature False news is a major threat to the Covid-19 response in DRC. Government distrust, lockdown, and increased social media access accelerate the spread of misinformation and disinformation in the Democratic Republic of Congo. By Jean de Dieu Cirhigiri
For people with disabilities, working from home using tech is a relief – and a struggle Analysis Increased use of digital communication tools during the Covid-19 lockdowns has made working from home acceptable – and even more sociable – for many people with disabilities. But technology still has a long way to go toward inclusion. A storyteller, a sales development researcher, a product and graphic designer, and a writer talk about the pros and cons. By Hawken Miller
It's time for a transatlantic digital agenda Commentary The pandemic-driven boost of digital innovation holds opportunities, but it needs a sound political framework. From countering disinformation to preventing algorithmic discrimination, the U.S. and the EU need to work together to set the rules for our digital economies and societies. By Julia Reda