2007-11-26

A Citizens Summary of the 1st ASEAN Constitution

The ASEAN Constitution states that the organization shall promote its common ASEAN Identity and a sense of belonging among its people in order to achieve its shared destiny, goals, and values. To add (and to start) the forming of the new ASEAN Identity, our ASEAN Constitution provides us with the following:

ASEAN Emblem



The ASEAN Emblem represents a stable, peaceful, united, and dynamic ASEAN. The colours of the emblem - blue, red, white, and yellow - represent the main colours of the crests of all the ASEAN countries.


  • Blue - represents peace and stability

  • Red - depicts courage and dynamism

  • White - shows purity

  • Yellow - symbolises prosperity



The ten stalks of padi represent the dream of ASEAN's Founding Fathers for an ASEAN comprising all the ten countries in South-East Asia bound together in friendship and solidarity. The circle represents the unity of ASEAN.


ASEAN Flag



The ASEAN Flag is a symbol of ASEAN cooperation and solidarity in promoting the common aspirations of Member Countries for peace and prosperity in the region. It has the ASEAN emblem in the centre which is set against a light blue background depicting peace and harmoney. The ASEAN emblem colours of brown, yellow, and dark blue symbolize strength and stability, prosperity and friendship which form the foundations of ASEAN solidarity, harmony, and coopration.


ASEAN Motto: One Vision, One Identity, One Community


The motto from the 11th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur in 2005 is now the Official ASEAN Motto: "One Vision, One Identity, One Community".


ASEAN Day: August 8


And I'm surprised how "August 8" was only recognized as the ASEAN Day as part of the 1st ASEAN Constitution, when during my elementary days, we celebrate August 8 here in the Philippines as.. well.. the "ASEAN Day"! I also declared it on my "ASEAN Citizens" blog as the ASEAN Day without knowing it wasn't even official.

Regardless, it is good news it is now an official regional day which we have to observe (since the Philippine education institutions stopped celebrating the ASEAN Day since I entered High School 15 years ago). In other words, every August 8 starting next year, all ASEAN members will be on holiday (and market close) to celebrate the Founding Day of the Association of South-East Asian Nations or ASEAN.


ASEAN Anthem


This one, the 'new' ASEAN is still to write and compose. I strongly suggest to our Secretary-General that you make this an open competition for all ASEAN Citizens. Entries must be recognized as "Asean", not as "Filipino/Philippines", "Singapore", "Laotian", "Khmer", and so on. Then open a fool-proof voting system online and let the people take part in the voting for some percentage. Then the other percentage will be taken from the decision of the high-level and/or top-level ASEAN Ministers.

For the ASEAN Citizens, I suggest you start writing and composing, then gather everyone's contribution together, I am listening to three ASEAN songs while writing this.


ASEAN changing from State-centric to be more People-oriented



  • Do more FOR the people, by mobilizing regional and international cooperation.

  • Institutionalized consultations with other stakeholders such as parliamentarians, private sector, civil society, and non-governmental organizations.

  • Tourism and people-to-people exchanges

  • Sports (SEA Games and ASEAN Para Games)

  • ASEAN Languages (although "English" is the only official working language in ASEAN)

  • Cooperation in education, and university network

  • Facilitated mobility of professional and skilled labour

  • Resources for human development

  • Narrowing the Development Gap between members




Other ASEAN signed Agreements



  • Formation of the ASEAN Human Rights Body (part of the ASEAN Charter)

  • the ASEAN Economic Community (blueprint) by 2015 - Integrating all 10 Economies into ONE Market and Production Base




The 3 Pillars of an ASEAN Community



* For the purpose of ensuring durable peace, stability, and shared prosperity in the region.


If you want to read the "leaked" draft version of the ASEAN Charter, click here.



ASEAN (Association of South-East Asian Nations)
Founded: August 8, 1967
Founders: Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand
Where: Bangkok

New Members in order of membership:

  • Brunei Darussalam - January 8, 1984

  • Viet Nam - July 28, 1995

  • Laos - July 23, 1997

  • Myanmar (Burma) - July 23, 1997

  • Cambodia - April 30, 1999



Other Facts:
* ASEAN succeeded "MaPhilIndo"
* ASEAN signed its 1st Consitution on November 20, 2007
* The ASEAN Way is "Peaceful Diplomacy" not sanctions
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