ASEAN and South Asia scholars unite under millennium project’s new regional website

The official grand launch event of the Millennium Project South Asia regional website (www.southasiaforesight.net)

took place at the Nation Building International Institute (NBII) in Bangkok, Thailand on 22nd May. 

The platform was officially inaugurated by Prof. Kriengsak Chareonwongsak, founder of NBII, together with Prof. Asanga Abeyagoonasekera, Executive Director of the South Asia Foresight Network (SAFN).

This regional initiative aims to bring together Thai scholars and ASEAN researchers to join a global community of futures thinkers, contributing to long-term strategic foresight and scenario-based planning. The Millennium Project, a globally recognized futures research network, spans in 72 countries and promotes evidence-based foresight for more effective policymaking.

Joining virtually from Washington, D.C., Millennium Project founder Jerome C. Glenn delivered opening remarks, underscoring the “importance of synergetic relationships in a world where zero-sum competition continues to escalate geopolitical tensions—especially in fragile regions like South Asia.” 

Intellectual cum well known politician, Sri Lanka Board Director of Millennium Project Node, Imran A.Cader who has been instrumental in bringing many foreign direct investments (FDIs) to Sri Lanka also participated online, offering his support and highlighting the importance of this regional foresight initiative in the face of growing instability. 

Speaking at the event, Prof. Abeyagoonasekera pointed to the ASEAN model as a valuable example for South Asia, stating, “South Asia remains the least integrated region in the world—there is much we can learn from ASEAN’s example of regional cooperation.”This timely initiative comes against a backdrop of heightened geopolitical tensions in South Asia, particularly between the nuclear-armed states of India and Pakistan. The new platform aspires to serve as a regional hub for foresight collaboration, helping scholars, policymakers, and civil society prepare for complex futures. 

The website was developed by Neathan Fernando from the Internship Program of Millennium Project - Sri Lanka Node who is studying Economics & International Finance with a focus on geopolitics, and the SAFN team at the Millennium Project, contributing technical expertise to ensure an accessible and dynamic digital platform for regional collaboration.