In this co-authored working paper for the Shaping Asia Research Network of Bielefeld and Heidelberg Universities, International Institute for Asian Studies (IIAS) Director Philippe Peycam and HAB Academic Director Aarti Kawlra share their thoughts on implementing HAB as an initiative of the IIAS, with the goal of invigorating the Humanities with civic-minded pedagogies grounded in local experience, alongside university partners from Asia, Africa, Europe, and the USA.