Vanessa Chong

Vanessa Chong is the Programme Manager for the Asia Regional Initiative at IMS (International Media Support). Her work includes contributions to IMS’s Digital Democracy Initiative, which focuses on combating climate disinformation and strengthening digital resilience among Indigenous Peoples, Forest and Climate Activists (IPFCA) through digital innovation and the production and dissemination of public-interest media content.

Her professional and academic interests centre on integrating a human rights approach into regional development. With 17 years of experience in the human rights, humanitarian and development sectors, Vanessa previously served as Director at the award-winning human rights organisation Fortify Rights, and as Regional Adviser for Diakonia Sweden in Asia, where she oversaw and implemented humanitarian programmes across the region.

Vanessa holds an M.A. in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Sydney, where she received both the Australian Institute of Building NSW Chapter Medal in Housing Studies and the Lyle H. Moore Memorial Prize. She also earned a B.A. in Architecture from the National University of Singapore.