Knowledge on human rights and peace should never stay hidden — especially in times of shrinking civic spaces. The challenge is: how do we bring the work of Southeast Asia’s scholars and academics into the hands of the people, both online and in everyday spaces?
As part of SHAPE-SEA’s commitment to strengthening a culture of human rights and peace in the region, the program is reaching out to local libraries and cafés with reading corners across Southeast Asia. Through this initiative, SHAPE-SEA aims to feature its publications — ranging from research outputs to educational resources — in more public spaces where people can easily access and engage with critical issues affecting their communities.
In collaboration with academic institutions, local libraries, community centers, independent bookstores, and cafés, SHAPE-SEA hopes to promote greater public interest and understanding of human rights and peace. These efforts are not limited to one country; SHAPE-SEA is actively exploring partnerships across Southeast Asia to widen the reach of its knowledge products, making them accessible to diverse audiences beyond traditional academic spaces.
By featuring SHAPE-SEA’s publications in these community spaces, the initiative seeks to bring important research and educational materials closer to everyday readers, working toward the vision of encouraging learning, reflection, and dialogue at all levels of society — and empowering more individuals to become informed advocates for human rights and peace.
Strengthening Human Rights and Peace Research and Education in ASEAN/Southeast Asia is a program hosted and supported by the Institute of Human Rights and Peace Studies, Mahidol University and The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency
Got questions or want to connect? Or want to grab your own copies? Let us know! We would love to hear from you too! Drop us a message at comms.shapesea@gmail.com
Stay tuned — more reading corners are coming soon across the region! 
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