Founded in 2021, SEAS (Southeast Asian Society) is a circle dedicated to promoting Southeast Asian culture, focusing on cultural exchanges and fundraising as its main activities. We interviewed Ms. Maxine Louise Fujimoto, the sitting president of SEAS club and a sophomore in the SPSF (Sophia Program for Sustainable Futures) Department of Global Studies to learn more about SEAS current activities. 

Members of SEAS come from diverse cultural backgrounds ranging from Philippines, Thailand, Myanmar, Indonesia, Vietnam, Timor Leste, Cambodia, Malaysia and even Mongolia, Japan, Russia and America.

With the goal to create a sense of community for SEA (Southeast Asian) Sophia students and promote exchange of Southeast Asian culture, monthly cultural events are held. Take for instance, SEAS Potluck event where members learn about SEA food culture and eating etiquette while enjoying cuisines, music and films. Additionally, the SEAS Fair where members engage in study sessions on topics related to SEA countries as well as enjoy SEA entertainment, quizzes and food. Through these events, SEAS has been able to donate to the Myanmar Relief support with its profits. 

In this connection, according to the UN, the military coup ongoing in Myanmar since February 2021 has caused an estimated 1,704,000 internally displaced people (IDPs) across the country as of March 2023. With this, SEAS has been actively organizing fundraising activities on campus to spread awareness and raise funds to support IDPs camps in one of the most affected areas, Kayah state. As of July 2022, SEAS have donated Ks 1,674,000 (111,000 yen) to schools in IDP camps in Myanmar, given in the form of books, food products, and snacks. 

Through various activities promoting appreciation of cultural diversity for Southeast Asian culture, SEAS is contributing to SDG Goal 4 – quality education. By engaging in humanitarian relief fundraising, SEAS is also supporting Goal 3 – good health and wellbeing, Goal 16 – peace, justice and strong institutions and Goal 17 – Partnerships for Goals.  

For more information on SEAS and their activities : 

https://www.instagram.com/seas.sophia/

Student Staff Poonyaporn Suthamporn