The workshop was a significant event for fourth-year sociology undergraduate Ashok Narandran, who said it helped his understanding of human rights issues at the regional level in Southeast Asia.

 “Listening to the panelists has given me a better understanding of the decision-making process and complications involved in coming to a common consensus when many countries are involved,” Narandran said.

“There are many human rights (violation) perpetrators in ASEAN, and it is (therefore) important to have a proper mechanism to make these bodies accountable.”

Fourth-year history major Vanessa Quay said that attending the workshop was an “enriching” experience. She is now considering volunteering with the Singapore Working Group on the ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism, known as MARUAH, to fulfill a long-standing goal.

“When I was younger, I wanted to do a lot of humanitarian work, but I did not really know of channels to engage in. Now (that) I know about MARUAH, I will consider joining them. Sometimes we may mock people (who engage in voluntary work) at first, but now we know the stark reality of human rights issues,” said Quay.

One student who is already involved in human rights activism is Emily Lim. The sociology sophomore has been volunteering at MARUAH since May after her interest in mental health issues prompted her to do advocacy work.

“I am interested in social welfare and justice, so I joined MARUAH. I am concerned with the rights of individuals in mental health issues and am trying to learn the ropes of advocacy so I can engage in mental health advocacy. It’s a learning process,” said Lim.

Lim said she gained a lot from the workshop. “I have learnt more about how the ASEAN human rights mechanism works. It is an experiential learning. You now start to take ownership and have a stake.”

The sight of NUS students and other young people engaging in discussions and proposing recommendations to the government was an encouraging sight for Dr. Leong Wai Teng, who teaches a human rights course in the NUS Department of Sociology.

“I am very glad that a lot of NUS students and young people are going, because it is an issue for the next generation, as it takes time to take effect. Human rights are not about one wanting something for one’s own good. It’s for the future, the next generation,” said Leong.

“It’s a good step that young people are not afraid. You are claiming something very basic. This is not about taking power from the government. It’s above it.”

Leong, however, also voiced concern that a disproportionate number of NUS students attending the workshop were from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS). He said he would like to see more Singaporean students become involved in social issues and raise awareness about them.

“Students  have to go beyond their narrow concerns and think about the bigger picture,” Leong said. “More students should get involved in volunteering. Some of the benefits are you meet foreigners and learn a lot from them. It becomes inspirational.

“Students should spread the word around (on social issues) to friends and relatives. Spread the word around and get them involved. Treat it as a calling.”

Quay agreed that many Singaporean students still tend to be politically apathetic.

“Many of us Singaporeans, even from FASS, we are a bit apathetic,” Quay said. “There are so few people I can talk to about political issues. I usually go to the same friends, because we are politically aware but not necessarily active.”

For Leong, the best way for NUS students to become more socially aware and engaged is to become involved in activities like the human rights workshop that are outside the university curriculum.

“In general, it’s always good for NUS students to get out of the classroom and learn from real people. That’s the education no lecturer can give you.”

The public workshop was organized by MARUAH in partnership with the ASEAN Studies Centre and the German non-governmental organization Konrad Adenauer Stiftung.