Future Scripts: A.I., Islam and the Generation Next

Dr. Bart Barendregt, Anthropology of Digital Diversity, Leiden University

Öffentliche Vorlesung im Rahmen des Allgemeinen Vorlesungswesens

Youth and Ageing in Southeast Asia

The population of Southeast Asia has experienced a rapid expansion since the turn of the 20th century: from about 80 million people around 1900 – with 25 million people alone concentrated on the island of Java – to 185 million in 1950 to 590 million people living in the region in 2010. This is more than a sevenfold increase in less than 120 years! When we compare this with the population development in Europe from 550 million in 1950 to 700 million people in 2010, it becomes very clear that Southeast Asia’s population is developing at a much higher speed. Southeast Asian nations in general have rather young populations which may cause a number of social, political and economic problems, such as: certain forms of political violence, high unemployment, environmental problems, labour and other forms of migration, etc. On the other hand, these relatively young populations may have all kinds of advantages in economic and socio-cultural realms, such as potential work force and economic market, sports and health advantages and cultural dynamics.

Using demographical dynamics and young population structures of Southeast Asian nations as a lens creates an intriguing perspective to discuss important current issues, such as connections between youth and violent conflicts, the categorisation of age groups in Southeast Asia and how youths express themselves in cultural productions such as music and dance. 

Koordination:
Prof. Dr. Jan van der Putten / Prof. Dr. Volker Grabowsky / Prof. Dr. Thomas Engelbert / Jun.-Prof. Dr. Elsa Clavé / Dr Monika Arnez, alle Abteilung Sprachen und Kulturen Südostasiens, Universität Hamburg