Problem Statement

Despite notable advances in regional collaboration among national sectoral bodies across ASEAN – for example, the establishment of the ASEAN Centre for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases (ACPHEED)¹, significant challenges remain, particularly in translating regional plans into concrete actions². Research collaboration across ASEAN continues to be constrained by substantial variations in language, levels of economic development, political will, research capacities and priorities, ethical and regulatory frameworks, and cultural norms. These disparities often lead to duplication of efforts, the exclusion of highly affected communities, and limited incentives to share resources or engage in joint regional work. As a result, opportunities for cross-country learning remain scarce, impeding knowledge exchange and comparative research at a time when regional cooperation is more critical than ever to address emerging health threats, including pandemics, zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, climate-related health impacts, and persistent inequities in access to care. 

Intended Results from SEA DREAM grants

By the end of grant period (2031), SEA DREAM aims to achieve, or at least contribute to, the following results through the collective efforts of the entire research portfolio:

• Developed equitable partnerships & stronger research collaboration across Southeast Asia 
• Strengthened research capacities of lower-resourced countries in Southeast Asia through connections with established institutions from higher-resourced countries of SEA and beyond 
• Enhanced profile of SEA research excellence through regional collaboration 
• Increased influence of SEA research outcomes on policy making in Southeast Asia and beyond

Potential Approaches to Achieving Intended Results

SEA DREAM expects the following activities and approaches, but without restriction, from its grantees to achieve the above-mentioned results:

• Research networking events, participatory research agenda workshops, knowledge sharing sessions, exchange visits 
• Cross-sectoral collaboration in research on regional and global issues 
• Joint Master, PhD and fellowship programs 
• Research collaboration and co-authoring research papers and policy briefs 
• Memberships in regional/ global research alliances, policy platforms and related collaborative bodies 
• Participation in joint statements to call on actions for regional and global health issues 
• Sharing resources and facilities within and among consortia for better research outcomes

 

¹https://thaidj.org/index.php/JHS/article/view/15977

²https://www.ijhpm.com/article_4268.html