Projects

Displaced People of Asia Series

Six Years On, Post War Sri Lanka Part 2: The War Is Not Over

In 2015, six years after the end of the Sri Lankan civil war, I travelled…

Mark IsaacsDecember 11, 2016

Displaced People of Asia Series

Six Years On, Post War Sri Lanka Part 1: Civil War Tension Remains

In July 2015, I visited Sri Lanka to find out why people were continuing to…

Mark IsaacsDecember 7, 2016

Displaced People of Asia Series

Resumption of violence against the Rohingya people

Violence against the Rohingya people in the Rhakine state of Burma has resumed. I received…

Mark IsaacsNovember 27, 2016

Australia's Pacific Solution The Indonesia Project

Ali’s Story Part 5: The Struggle for Resettlement

Ali is a Hazara man from Afghanistan trying to seek asylum in Australia. In Part…

Mark IsaacsOctober 26, 2016

Australia's Pacific Solution The Indonesia Project

Ali’s Story Part 4: Boat Journeys, Arrests and Death

Ali is a Hazara man from Afghanistan trying to seek asylum in Australia. Part 4…

Mark IsaacsOctober 17, 2016

Displaced People of Asia Series Projects

A Guide to Travelling Iran: Ethnic Discrimination in Ahvaz and Kermanshaw

There are numerous ethnic groups in Iran who claim discrimination and persecution at the hands…

Mark IsaacsSeptember 29, 2016

Displaced People of Asia Series

A Guide to Travelling Iran: History and Culture in Persepolis and Shiraz

As I travel through Iran, I learn about the ancient Persian empires and the Sufi…

Mark IsaacsSeptember 26, 2016

Displaced People of Asia Series Published Articles

World Policy Journal: Smoking Opium in the Islamic Republic of Iran (2016)

The Islamic Republic of Iran borders the world's principal area of opium production known as…

Mark IsaacsSeptember 15, 2016

Displaced People of Asia Series

Stories from the Rohingya Camps in Bangladesh

In 2015, I visited the Rohingya refugee camps in the southern region of Bangladesh. My…

Mark IsaacsSeptember 5, 2016

The Octopus

A Love Poem

A poem I wrote to commemorate two dear friends' commitment to love.

Mark IsaacsAugust 22, 2016

Displaced People of Asia Series Projects

The Faces of Bangladesh: Part 2

Part 2 of my experiences in noisy, bustling, endearing, incredible Bangladesh where I met nomads,…

Mark IsaacsAugust 15, 2016

Displaced People of Asia Series

The Faces of Bangladesh: Part 1

Dhaka is a corrugated city, a bell-ringing city, a rickshaw city; a Muslim city, a…

Mark IsaacsAugust 12, 2016

The Octopus

Normanhurst Boys Speech: How Does One "Make it"?

In December 2014, I was invited to address students at the end of year presentation…

Mark IsaacsJuly 14, 2016

The Octopus

Guest Post: The Unofficial Refugee Camp in Calais by Ali Reid

Ali Reid has been an advocate for refugees in Australia for the past 5 years,…

Mark IsaacsJune 26, 2016

Displaced People of Asia Series Projects

TSYU: Their Greatest Battle Is For Education

This post brings my series on the Ta'ang people of Shan state, Burma to an…

Mark IsaacsJune 4, 2016

Displaced People of Asia Series Projects

TSYU: Inside the Ta’ang Village Culture

I visit Numchang village in Shan state, Burma and get an insight into daily village…

Mark IsaacsJune 2, 2016

Displaced People of Asia Series

Ta’ang Students Youth Union: Internally Displaced People in Shan state

Many Ta'ang people have been displaced due to the violence in Shan state. I snuck…

Mark IsaacsMay 27, 2016

Displaced People of Asia Series

Ta’ang Students and Youth Union: The Drug War in Shan State

Another source of conflict in the Shan state is opium cultivation. The local Ta'ang people…

Mark IsaacsMay 26, 2016

Displaced People of Asia Series

Ta’ang Students and Youth Union: Military Occupation of the Shan state

There is a heavy military presence in Northern Shan State. According to the local Ta'ang…

Mark IsaacsMay 24, 2016

Displaced People of Asia Series

Ta’ang Students and Youth Union: Living With Conflict and Persecution

While travelling through Burma, I was asked by a friend to assist with the Ta'ang…

Mark IsaacsMay 22, 2016

Afghanistan

Returning: The Afghanistan Podcast Trailer

In March 2016, I went to Afghanistan with the Edmund Rice Centre. This 60-second audio…

Mark IsaacsMay 9, 2016

Displaced People of Asia Series Published Articles

World Policy Journal: The Last of the Qashqa’i Nomads (2016)

I spent a day and an evening with the Qashqa'i nomads of Fars Province, Iran.…

Mark IsaacsApril 20, 2016

Published Articles Wolftress China Diaries

Conscious Magazine: Garments with Stories (2016)

I travelled with Wolftress to the Yunnan and Guizhou provinces of southern China to find…

Mark IsaacsApril 20, 2016

Displaced People of Asia Series Published Articles

Roads and Kingdoms: A Strobe Light Wedding in Mavdasht (2016)

One Iranian wedding, 2 parties, 500 men, and some shots of arak.

Mark IsaacsApril 13, 2016

Australia's Pacific Solution The Indonesia Project

Guest Post: At the Knife’s Edge by Robin de Crespigny

Robin de Crespigny, author of the People Smuggler, writes an essay come creative non-fiction piece…

Mark IsaacsMarch 18, 2016

Displaced People of Asia Series

A Guide to Travelling Iran: Abyaneh, Yazd and Zoroastrianism

Mark travels in Iran with an aim to understand why people are fleeing from a…

Mark IsaacsMarch 16, 2016

Wolftress China Diaries

The Textile Hunt is Over: Lessons Learned from China

In the final chapter of the Wolftress China Diaries, the textile hunt comes to an…

Mark IsaacsMarch 10, 2016

Displaced People of Asia Series

A Guide to Travelling Iran: Isfahan is Half the World

Isfahan is a breath-taking city of mosques and palaces, of gardens and fountains, mosaics, and…

Mark IsaacsMarch 8, 2016

The Octopus

Guest Post: Welcome to the Jungle by Ali Reid

Ali Reid is a refugee rights activist who volunteered to assist asylum seekers in a…

Mark IsaacsMarch 3, 2016

Displaced People of Asia Series Projects

A Guide to Travelling Iran: Kashan and Iranian Politeness

Learn about the ancient desert town of Kashan, Taroff and Iranian politeness, and the beautiful…

Mark IsaacsFebruary 29, 2016

Wolftress China Diaries

We are in China, We are in Yunnan

Kartika and Jessie's search for textiles takes us to Yunnan province where we experience the…

Mark IsaacsFebruary 26, 2016

Displaced People of Asia Series

First Impressions of Burma: Yangon and the Water Festival

It is incredible how peaceful some parts of a country can be when such turmoil…

Mark IsaacsFebruary 24, 2016

Wolftress China Diaries

Understanding Ancient Cultures: the Miao of Matang

In our search for textiles in Southern China, Kartika, Jessie and I learn about the…

Mark IsaacsFebruary 21, 2016

Australia's Pacific Solution The Indonesia Project

Guest Post: A Refugee Community Group in Indonesia

A guest post from a group of people currently waiting for resettlement in Indonesia who…

Mark IsaacsFebruary 20, 2016

Wolftress China Diaries

Preserving Ancient Cultures: the Longhorn Miao community

In the depths of the mountain forests of Western Guizhou, live the Longhorn Miao, famous…

Mark IsaacsFebruary 18, 2016

Displaced People of Asia Series Projects

Crossing the Thai-Burma Border

After visiting refugee camps on the western Thai border, it is time for me to…

Mark IsaacsFebruary 1, 2016

Displaced People of Asia Series Projects

A Guide to Travelling Iran: Arriving in Tehran

Learn about Iranian fashion, money exchange, calendars, and tips for travelling in Tehran.

Mark IsaacsJanuary 27, 2016

Displaced People of Asia Series

Some Tips for Visiting The Islamic Republic of Iran

Travelling to Iran is possible and it is safe. Here are some tips to help…

Mark IsaacsJanuary 13, 2016

The Indonesia Project

Ashkan: My Life in Indonesia as a Refugee

Ashkan is an Iranian man living in Jakarta, Indonesia. He describes what life is like…

Mark IsaacsJanuary 4, 2016

Australia's Pacific Solution The Indonesia Project

Ali's Story Part 3: Finding a People Smuggler

Ali arrives in Indonesia and begins his search for a people smuggler to take him…

Mark IsaacsDecember 14, 2015

Australia's Pacific Solution The Indonesia Project

Same Skies: A Strengths- and Rights-based Approach to Supporting Displaced People

How do displaced people seeking protection and resettlement in Indonesia survive the tough, restrictive conditions?…

Mark IsaacsDecember 9, 2015

Australia's Pacific Solution The Indonesia Project

Ali’s Story Part 2: Escaping Afghanistan and Pakistan

Ali tells his story of how he left Afghanistan and Pakistan en route to Indonesia.

Mark IsaacsDecember 3, 2015

Displaced People of Asia Series

No Man’s Land: Criminals, Smugglers, and Stateless People

There exists a 'No Man's Land' between Burma and Thailand where criminals, runaways and stateless…

Mark IsaacsDecember 1, 2015

Published Articles The Octopus

Huffington Post: It's Easier to Imprison Someone You're Told is Illegal (2015)

Advocating for the better treatment of people seeking asylum in Australia can often be a…

Mark IsaacsNovember 29, 2015

Wolftress China Diaries

The Batik Trade Graveyard

According to the travel blogs, Anshun and Shitouzhai in west Guizhou are famous for Batik…

Mark IsaacsNovember 26, 2015

Australia's Pacific Solution The Indonesia Project

Meeting Ashkan: Seeking Asylum in Jakarta

I visit Ashkan, an Iranian man living in Jakarta, Indonesia, who is trying to seek…

Mark IsaacsNovember 22, 2015

Australia's Pacific Solution The Indonesia Project

Ali’s Story Part 1: Why I left Afghanistan

Ali is a Hazara man stranded in Indonesia hoping for resettlement to Australia. This is…

Mark IsaacsNovember 20, 2015

Displaced People of Asia Series Projects Published Articles

Roads and Kingdoms: A Night of Burma’s Finest Drink (2015)

I spent two months working with the Ta'ang people in the Shan state of Burma.…

Mark IsaacsNovember 20, 2015

Wolftress China Diaries

A Hard Bed to Guizhou Province

Jessie and Kartika begin their search for Batik textiles in Guizhou province. First stop, the…

Mark IsaacsNovember 18, 2015

Wolftress China Diaries

In Search of Textiles: Why China?

While the idea of looking for textiles in China seems overwhelming at first, it is…

Mark IsaacsNovember 17, 2015

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