This study abroad program explores nontraditional security challenges (piracy, illegal trafficking, infectious disease, environmental disasters, food & water security, etc.) across four South(east) Asian states: Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Nepal. These countries reflect different levels of economic development, political systems, religious and ethnic groups, and, due to their great heterogeneity, are particularly interesting to study.
Aside from investigating the relationship between sovereignty-related norms and human security, other major foci are global development-related issues as well as the role science and technology (such as information & communications technology, renewables, etc.) play in ameliorating or exacerbating traditional and non-traditional security challenges in South(east) Asia. We will examine the interaction of international, regional, and local public and private actors in these countries, and hear from government officials, representatives of NGOs, businesses, academia, etc.