Promotion of ASEAN Awareness and Unity among Youth

by Apichai SunchindahExecutive DirectorASEAN Foundation

2nd ASEAN STUDENT LEADERS’ SUMMIT 2007

Angeles City, the Philippines

22-26 January 2007

Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

• Established on 8 August 1967 in Bangkok by the five original Member Countries (Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand).

• Brunei Darussalam joined on 8 January 1984.• Vietnam on 28 July 1995.• Lao PDR and Myanmar on 23 July 1997.• Cambodia on 30 April 1999.

ASEAN: Objectives1. to accelerate economic

growth, social progress and cultural development in the region.

2. to promote regional peace and stability through abiding respect for justice and the rule of law in the relationship among countries in the region and adherence to the principles of the United Nations Charter.

ASEAN Secretariat office in Jakarta

Inaugurated on 9 May 1981

ASEAN: Objectives (cont.)“represents the collective

will of the nations of South-East Asia to bind themselves together in

friendship and cooperation and, through

joint efforts and sacrifices, secure for their peoples and for

posterity the blessings of peace, freedom and

prosperity.”ASEAN Secretariat office in Jakarta

Inaugurated on 9 May 1981

Why Should We Promote ASEAN Awareness & Unity?

• Diversity of peoples & resources – could be poten.assets/liabilities.

• Shared geo-political & economic interests and socio-cultural-env. norms and heritage.

• Chances of individual countries’ survival better by joining hands together.

Opportunities?Challenges?

Why Youth?• Enhancing youth’s awareness of ASEAN is

an important way to promote greater awareness among the peoples of ASEAN.

• Youths are movers, shakers, drivers and leaders of ASEAN in the years ahead.

• Youth’s role in building and sustaining the vital essence of ASEAN.

Challenges in Enhancing Youth’s Awareness on ASEAN

• Very little awareness at present. • Competition between individual and

communal interests.

• How to address the various disparities amongst the youth in ASEAN in terms of levels of understanding and access to information and resources?

The Role of ASEAN Foundation

in Promoting ASEAN Awareness and Unity

ASEAN Foundation

•Established by ASEAN Leaders on 15 December 1997

•10th anniversary at the end of this year. 2007 also ASEAN’s 40th anniversary year.

AF Missions

• To promote greater awareness of ASEAN and greater interaction among the peoples of ASEAN, as well as their wider participation in ASEAN’s activities.

• To contribute to the evolution of a development cooperation strategy that promotes mutual assistance, equitable economic development, and the alleviation of poverty.

Promote ASEAN through 4 program areas:

Social Development

Science and Technology

Environment

Culture and Information

A total of almost 100 projects at around USD 15 million have been implemented

AF Priorities since 2005• Enhance greater awareness about ASEAN by

demonstrating its relevance and benefit to the ASEAN peoples.

• Focus on youth and their role in building and sustaining an ASEAN community.

• Promote greater access to Information and Communication Technology (ICT) by various social groups as a mechanism to empower people and narrow the development gap.

Recent Cebu Summit mandates pertaining to AF’s role on youth,

awareness & identityChairperson’s Statement (12th ASEAN

Summit)• Fostering a greater sense of regional identity

among ASEAN peoples.

Report of the Eminent Persons Group on the ASEAN Charter (endorsed at Cebu)

• Raising awareness about ASEAN especially among the youth.

AF & Youth/Students: Small Group Discussion with Young People in

Jakarta

September 2006

Highlights of discussion:

• Promoting public awareness of ASEAN in more user friendly ways.

• Allocating more budget on publications to enhance awareness of ASEAN.

• Involving ordinary and not only extra-ordinary students in activities related to ASEAN.

AF & Youth/Students: Small Group Discussion with Young People in

Jakarta

September 2006

Highlights of discussion (cont’d):

• Conducting cultural, musical and sports activities.

• Developing ICT games and competition.

• Including website features like chat room, game portal and fun downloadable files.

AF & Youth/Students:Young People Gathering

JakartaNovember 2006

Activities proposed by youth:• Undertake campus visits as one of future activities.• Give attention to youth in rural areas and dev. issues.• Involve youth in addressing the social problems in ASEAN.• Conduct language programs.

AF Youth Programs in 2007

• 2nd ASEAN Student Leaders’ Summit and Cultural Festival.

• Youth@ASEAN (www.aseanyouth.org).

• ASEAN Video Game.

• ASEAN Students Engaging Action for Local and Regional Contribution to Society (ASEAN Logics)*.

* In the development process

How you can help AF in 2007 ?

• Actively participate in the 2nd ASEAN Student Leaders Summit & follow-up activities.

• Give suggestions on enhancing Youth@ASEAN website.• Be involved in the testing of the video game.• Provide your commitment to hold & participate in ASEAN

Logics in each ASEAN country over the next few years.• Provide inputs to and participate in ASEAN Youth

Awareness survey.• Supply information on youth activities for write-ups of a

promotional nature.• Serve as the core group/focal point for ASEAN youth

activities in your respective countries • Become an intern/staff at AF or other ASEAN institutions.

Tagline for AF in 2007

Think, Feel, and Act ASEAN:-

Joining Heads, Hearts and Hands (Triple H)

Potential Areas of Engagement in the Future

• Volunteerism & Community Service. • Philanthropy & Sharing of Resources• Participation in ASEAN activities.• Advocacy on relevant regional issues.• Dialogue with Govt. officials (AMMY/SOMY),

associations (CAYC) business, academia and civil society on matters of concern.

• Promotion of ASEAN awareness and spirit of unity & cooperation.

E Pluribus UnumBhinneka Tunggal Ika

Unity in Diversity/PluralityTen Nations One Community

Thank you