Rising authoritarianism and the retreat of aid: Confronting USAID cuts

[This is not an FCCT-organized event. Free and open to all.]

The abrupt scaling back of USAID’s commitments to development cooperation and humanitarian assistance marks a seismic shift in global governance, human rights and equity. Across Southeast Asia, critical protections against transnational repression have been dangerously weakened -- just as authoritarianism gains strength and civil society comes under growing attack.

At the same time, a new form of colonialism is emerging: techno-colonialism. With the retreat of traditional aid, governments and donors are turning to AI and digital technologies to fill the void -- often at the expense of human rights, accountability and local agency. From Elon Musk’s growing influence to the unchecked rise of Western tech giants, this shift threatens to deepen inequality, extract unconsented data and marginalize already vulnerable communities.
This panel explores how USAID’s withdrawal and the rise of “Big Tech” are reshaping the aid and development landscape -- posing existential risks to grassroots movements, Rohingya refugees, gender and sexual minorities and indigenous climate defenders. It also calls for urgent alternatives: decolonized funding, Asian philanthropy and community-led models for resilience.
Speakers include:

Emilie Palamy Pradichit, founder and executive director, Manushya Foundation, and international rights lawyer.
Yasmin Ullah, executive director, Rohingya Maìyafuìnor collaborative network and Rohingya woman human rights defender.
Michael L. Bąk, advisor, Centre for AI leadership, Singapore and co-founder and director of policy research, Sprint Public Interest, Thailand.
Moderator: Debbie Stothard, founder, ALTSEAN-Burma and longtime advocate for democracy and human rights in Southeast Asia.
The event is co-organized by Manushya Foundation, ALTSEAN-BURMA, Rohingya Maìyafuìnor Collaborative Network and Sprint Public Interest.