Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
4 December 2016
The Philippines Accepts ASEAN Chairmanship During its Chairmanship, the Philippines will be
for 2017 highlighting six thematic priorities which are the
The Philippines ceremonially accepted from Lao Peoples following:
Democratic Republic (PDR) the ASEAN Chairmanship 1. A people-oriented and people-centered
for 2017 at the closing ceremony of the 28th and 29th ASEAN
ASEAN Summit on 6-8 September 2016 in Vientiane, 2. Peace and stability in the region
Lao PDR. President Rodrigo Duterte accepted the 3. Maritime security and cooperation
gavel from Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith. In his 4. Inclusive and innovation-led growth
speech, President Duterte congratulated Lao PDR for 5. A resilient ASEAN
its successful chairmanship and for its important role 6. ASEAN: A model of regionalism, a global player
in deepening the regional integration. He also unveiled
the theme for the Philippines ASEAN Chairmanship, These priorities aim to underline that the positive
Partnering for Change, Engaging the World. The change and achievements by ASEAN are not only for
Philippines chairmanship of ASEAN will coincide with a few, but are also for the marginalized sectors of
ASEANs 50th founding anniversary. society.
Since the establishment of ASEAN 49 years ago, the regard to integration initiatives. However, raising ASEAN
regional bloc has positioned itself as an important awareness to the general public remains a challenge.
actor in the international arena. It has successfully
been able to bring together small, middle, and major From awareness campaigns to peoples participation
powers into dialogue and cooperation through various As the Philippines assumes the Chairmanship of ASEAN
ASEAN-led mechanisms. More importantly, ASEAN was in 2017, which also comes at the opportune time of
able to transition itself from a loose organization into a celebrating ASEANs golden founding anniversary, there
regional Community. Clearly, ASEAN is making progress is a big onus to become more aggressive on campaigns
in realizing its aspirations of a One Vision, One Identity, to raise awareness especially to those outside of
One Community. government circles and universities. Most efforts on
Deepening and consolidating community-building awareness campaign initiatives emanate from the
efforts remain a key agenda for ASEAN. However, one government. In the Philippines, for example, the Civil
hurdle that ASEAN needs to address is the low level Service Commission (CSC) has ordered all government
of awareness among its key constituents the people. offices to participate in ASEAN information campaigns
There still remains a gap between the governments including posting of ASEAN material in agency websites
and the peoples understanding about ASEAN. and ASEAN Community banners, and familiarization
of the ASEAN anthem. While these are important
Seeming disconnect between progress and awareness initiatives, the discussions and debates must go out
of the government circles so as to gain traction with
In 2012, the ASEAN Secretariat commissioned a study the people especially those at the grassroots. This
that surveyed 2,200 respondents from ASEAN Member top-down approach must be complemented by bottom-
States (AMS). The study showed that 76 percent of up activities for a more holistic approach and for the
the general public lack a basic understanding of what people to have ownership of the community-building
ASEAN does. While through in-depth interviews of process.
261 business leaders from the region, it was revealed
that the business sector has a better understanding of The lack of awareness results in the lack of appreciation
ASEAN as it has been involved in activities related to and understanding by the general public about ASEANs
the promotion of the ASEAN Integration. In addition, role and contribution to the region. If these are not
a survey conducted by the ASEAN Foundation in 20141 addressed, it will be difficult for ASEAN to develop
to gauge the awareness and attitudes of university a sense of regional identity; more so foster mutual
students across Southeast Asia towards ASEAN, understanding and trust among the people of ASEAN.
revealed that most students acknowledge that ASEAN The people of ASEAN must feel the inspiration of the
provides numerous benefits and opportunities for them, ASEAN vision.2 It is high time that ASEAN considers
their country, and the region. Moreover, much of the a people-driven process where local government
enthusiasm for ASEAN is strongest among students units, business and financial leaders, civil society and
from the newer AMS, particularly Cambodia, Lao peoples organizations, educators, media, and other
PDR, and Viet Nam. Students from Brunei, Indonesia, stakeholders are more engaged and pro-active in
Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand also demonstrated ASEAN processes. Moreover, efforts should not stop
substantial knowledge of the regional bloc. Notably, at awareness campaigns. There is a need to translate
however, students in the Philippines and Myanmar public awareness about ASEAN into public support and
displayed the least knowledge of ASEAN. participation in ASEAN programs and initiatives. It is
only then that ASEAN community-building will be more
ASEAN awareness is higher among business leaders meaningful for the peoples of ASEAN.
and students given the availability of information with
1
Eric C. Thompson and Chulanee Thianthai. Attitude and Awareness toward ASEAN: Findings of a Ten Nation Survey. Report.
National University of Singapore, Chulalongkorn University. Funded by the ASEAN Foundation with support provided from
the Government of the Republic of Korea.
2
Surin Pitsuwan. ASEAN Beyond 2015: What to Expect? Lecture, Mangrove Forum on International Relations, Foreign
Service Institute, Pasay City, August 24, 2015.
Highlights of ASEAN in 2016 ASEAN Launches Investment Report 2016
28th and 29th ASEAN Summits At the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit 2016
held on 6 September 2016 in Vientiane, Lao PDR, the
The Heads of State and Government of ASEAN Member ASEAN Secretariat and the United Nations Conference
States gathered for the 28th and 29th ASEAN Summits on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) jointly launched
from 6-7 September 2016 in Vientiane, Lao PDR. the ASEAN Investment Report 2016: Foreign Direct
With the theme Turning Vision into Reality for a Investment and MSME Linkages. This years annual
Dynamic ASEAN Community, the Leaders adopted the report analyses the role of ASEAN Micro, Small and
following outcome documents during the Summit: Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in realizing the goals of
ASEAN Declaration on One ASEAN, One the ASEAN Economic Community and in improving the
Response; ASEAN Responding to Disasters as overall investment environment. It particularly features
One in the Region and Outside the Region the linkages between ASEAN MSMEs and multinational
enterprises (MNEs).
Vientiane Declaration on the Adoption of the
Initiative for ASEAN Integration Work Plan III 7th ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Culture
Vientiane Declaration on the Adoption of the and Arts (AMCA) Meeting and the AMCA
Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity 2025 Meetings with Dialogue Partners - ASEAN Plus
Three
Vientiane Declaration on Transition from
Informal Employment to Formal Employment The AMCA meetings were held on 26 August 2016 in
towards Decent Work Promotion in ASEAN Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam.
Vientiane Declaration on Reinforcing Cultural The culture and the arts are recognized as key factors
Heritage Cooperation in ASEAN essential in strengthening the sense of belonging and
ASEAN Declaration on Strengthening Education regional identity in ASEAN. The Ministers adopted the
for Out-of-School Children and Youth Vientiane Declaration on Reinforcing Cultural Heritage
ASEAN Joint Statement on Biodiversity Cooperation in ASEAN and the Bandar Seri Begawan
Conservation to the Thirteenth Meeting of the Declaration on Culture and the Arts to Promote
Conference of Parties to the Convention on ASEANs Identity towards a Dynamic and Harmonious
Biological Diversity (CBD COP-13) ASEAN Community to strengthen ASEANs culture and
arts. The Strategic Plan for Culture and Arts 2016-2025
ASEAN Joint Statement on Climate Change to
was also adopted to serve as the guiding document
the Twenty-Second Session of the Conference
in developing ASEANs cooperation work plans in the
of the Parties to the United Nations Framework
culture and the arts for the next ten years.
Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC COP-
22)
ASEAN Declaration of Commitment on HIV and
AIDS: Fast Tracking and Sustaining HIV and AIDS
Response to End the AIDS Epidemic by 2030.
The Philippines in ASEAN
Sharing ASEAN is a regular publication of the Center for International Relations and Strategic
Studies (CIRSS) of the Foreign Service Institute. It contains updates on ASEANs progress and
provides information on the benefits, contribution, and participation of the Philippines in
ASEAN. Sharing ASEAN promotes bringing ASEAN closer to the people to realize a people-
centered Community.
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