Asian Conference for Political Communication 2025

Welcome to the Asian Conference for Political Communication 2025! Join us for a dynamic gathering of political communication enthusiasts at the PARKROYAL on Beach Road. This event will bring together experts, researchers, and practitioners to discuss the latest trends and challenges in the field. Get ready for insightful keynote speeches, engaging panel discussions, and networking opportunities. Don't miss this chance to exchange ideas and learn from top professionals in the industry. Register now to secure your spot!

Info: The world is entering an era where the long-standing dominance of the United States in global affairs is increasingly contested. The rise of China, the resurgence of middle powers, the assertion of regional institutions, and the growing role of technology and non-state actors all point to a more fragmented yet interconnected international order. This panel examines how countries are adapting to this shifting landscape. From Southeast Asia’s delicate balancing act to Europe’s evolving perspective on global order, to China’s bid for greater global influence, and to smaller states crafting hedging strategies, the discussion will highlight the diversity of approaches across the region and beyond.

Info: Political comebacks can reshape national landscapes and capture global attention, as exemplified by Donald Trump’s return to the U.S. presidency and Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s rise in the Philippines. These resurgences highlight the interplay of public memory, media influence, and strategic campaigning, showing how leaders can leverage both nostalgia and contemporary issues to regain support. They also raise important questions about voter behaviour, the role of social media in shaping narratives, and the resilience of political networks in sustaining influence. By examining these cases, we gain insight into the factors that enable political figures to overcome setbacks and the broader implications for democracy, governance, and public trust in diverse contexts. This panel explores the dynamics behind such resurgences, examining the factors that enable leaders to reclaim power after electoral defeat or political marginalization.

Info: Digital platforms and artificial intelligence are transforming how people in Asia connect across boundaries of religion, ethnicity, gender identity, political orientation, and ability. On one hand, these technologies create opportunities for dialogue, belonging, and access, helping individuals navigate barriers that once kept communities apart. On the other, they are powerful tools for spreading misinformation, deepening partisan divides, and fostering digital echo chambers that fragment societies. For immigrants and minorities, online spaces can provide comfort and cultural continuity, yet sometimes at the expense of integration into wider communities. This panel will explore the double-edged role of digital media and AI in shaping citizenship, identity, and trust in Asia. By examining both dominant narratives and real-world use cases, participants will reflect on how these technologies reshape social cohesion and what that means for the future of democratic life in the region.

Info: Social media platforms have become the central arena where young people consume information, engage with politics, and shape their worldviews. From TikTok and Instagram to YouTube and emerging platforms, these digital spaces are redefining how political communication is created, delivered, and received across Asia. This session explores the evolving role of social media in mobilizing younger audiences and influencing public discourse. Speakers will share strategies for impactful communication, leveraging trends without losing authenticity, making content accessible through visuals and subtitles, balancing creativity with responsibility, and countering misinformation effectively. The discussion will highlight what works and what doesn’t, when reaching out to youth online, offering insights on how communicators can adapt to win the trust and attention of the next generation.

Info: In today’s digital age, the manipulation of information poses a serious threat to democratic processes. Deepfakes, AI-generated media, and coordinated disinformation campaigns can distort public perception, weaken trust in institutions, and even influence elections. These developments raise urgent questions about accountability, ethics, and regulation. This panel brings together voices from across Asia to examine how such technologies are reshaping the political landscape. The discussion will cover technical insights into deepfake creation and detection, the impact of disinformation on voter behaviour, and advocacy for human rights and digital democracy. Together, the panellists will explore strategies to safeguard democratic resilience.

Info: For decades, environmental communication often relied on fear-based messages, statistics, and abstract warnings of future catastrophe. While important, these approaches often struggled to inspire sustained public engagement. Today, a new wave of environmental communicators is breaking through with approaches that are more accessible, visual, and relatable, drawing on storytelling, social media creativity, community-driven narratives, and even humour to spark action. This panel will explore how communication about climate change and sustainability has evolved, what new strategies are proving more effective than the old models, and how policymakers, journalists, and advocates can reach diverse audiences in Asia. The discussion will examine practical tools, from TikTok explainers to grassroots campaigns, that transform complex science into compelling narratives that resonate with everyday lives, shifting the conversation from abstract problems to shared solutions.

Info: Across Asia, communities have shown a remarkable capacity to unite, harness digital technologies, and navigate complex social and political landscapes. Often sparked by a triggering event, urgent issue, or viral message, these initiatives transform individual concerns into collective action, creating waves of change that resonate across society. From student-led campaigns to grassroots programs and nationwide movements, they reflect the creativity, resilience, and civic spirit of people across the region. This session explores the strategies that help such efforts emerge, build momentum, and endure. Activists, scholars, and strategists will examine how initiatives take root, engage communities, and adapt to challenges posed by institutions, opposition, or the natural fatigue of prolonged campaigns, highlighting both the opportunities and obstacles for civic engagement in shaping Asia’s future.

Host or Publisher Konrad Adenauer Stiftung