The ASEAN Year

2008 is the ASEAN Year, two (out of three) major events occured many of us were not aware. The taking into effect of the ASEAN Charter and our first ASEAN Anthem (not that there will be a second or a third).

ASEAN Charter in full effect

The first was the full ratification of the 1st ASEAN Charter which took effect on December 14, 2008, a month after Thailand submitted the last Instrument of Ratification.

With the Asean Charter now in effect it solidifies the need to go back to the grassroots, the very reason why it exists - We, the Peoples of Asean. For years, ASEAN has become just another news-item many people simply ignore. One reason, lack of information as well as the fact that it has become so far away - an elite, top-minds group.

But could they do it? I think this is where the grassroots comes in, we have ideas how to bring ASEAN to our level which the elite and top-minds can not even fathom. If you read a lot of books, from fiction to philosophy, there is always this concept wherein someone who's way up there, so intelligent, fails to understand or think of the simplest things. In my Point-of-View, this is exactly what is happening.

For example, August 8 is ASEAN Day, and the ASEAN Charter simply stated that we must observe it. No member country has yet declared it as an official Holiday, which is very important in my opinion. Simply observing it is not enough, we need to make the people aware that there is something special every 8th of August.

What's declaring it an Official Holiday got to do with ASEAN awareness? People will ask what is the new Holiday about - ASEAN Day. They may just go to the malls or sleep, but at the bottom of it the people were made aware of "ASEAN" (and "ASEAN Day"). We are all busy people. Most of us only take notice of something "new", something that we haven't heard before, and if our daily routine was disturbed - like a Holiday. And being busy people that we are, we remember by heart the Holidays and we expect these holidays every year.

Eventually, we can use this awareness and expectation to launch more projects or events to further the goals of ASEAN, especially the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Pillar. People will talk about it, ask things about it, and will get involved or express their opinions about it - especially today via Blogging and Micro-blogging.

These simple things can make a huge difference and impact to bringing ASEAN back to its grassroots. I've said this one year ago, December of 2007 to make August 8 an Official Non-Working Holiday and I am going to repeat this over and over until all 10 member Nations do so. And I am not alone, many ASEAN Citizens as well.

(More about this on my summary of the ASEAN Awareness Survey.)

We also have an identity crisis here, what is (being) an ASEAN Identity? We, the Peoples of ASEAN, must get involved, and with the ASEAN Charter now in force, we can finally help shape the region and establish the true ASEAN Spirit.

The ASEAN Anthem

The second was the announcement and first singing of the new ASEAN Anthem entitled "The ASEAN Way" (very fitting for our diverse region). For the first time in our region's history, we now have an Anthem to sing to help us identify ourselves as "ASEAN Citizens", and show the world that we are one despite our diverse culture and differences.

If you were not aware of how the ASEAN Anthem was chosen, there was a regional competition where the chosen entry will win U$20,000 and will become the official Anthem. Do not worry, the dissemination wasn't that effective for some countries.

For example, ASEAN-Philippines disseminated the information to various schools of music and Philippine composers. They also coordinated with the National Commission for Culture and Arts (NCCA) and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA). A job well done. However, it is sad that somewhere along the effort and the enthusiasm ended.

I don't remember seeing news about it or reading it from major newspapers (I could have missed it, but how many times was it reported). The PIA could also have sent the information to all the Philippine companies, that is one major way of getting the information out.

I think it is time that we have a serious "ASEAN Information Campaign". True, there are budget concerns, the other agencies were busy and have other more important issues to address. Then why not send the information to Bloggers and Micro-Bloggers? Why not tap the local online gaming companies? I highly doubt no one will talk about a U$20,000 award for creating ASEAN's first-ever Anthem!!

The information was passed on which is great, a job well done. However, there are other channels that could have been used and exploited. ASEAN is better marketed (if that's the right word to use) to the youths, the new generation. Where are most of them? Playing online games. How about the new social media? Then we have the Bloggers and Micro-Bloggers which disseminated faster than any traditional media the De la Paz vs Pangandaman brawl.

I am not sure how it is in other ASEAN countries, but if our respective ASEAN offices will say that they did everything they can and still the information wasn't disseminated enough, then we really have a very serious problem here - no one simply care about ASEAN anymore.

The ASEAN Way

Is the Official ASEAN Anthem. Composed by Thai musicians Kittikhun Sodprasert and Sampaw Triudom, the winner out of 99 entries from all the 10 member Nations.

The lyrics (via Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore):

Raise our flag high, sky high
Embrace the pride in our heart
ASEAN we are bonded as one
Look-in out-ward to the world.
For peace, our goal from the very start
And prosperity to last.


We dare to dream we care to share.
Together for ASEAN
we dare to dream
we care to share for it's the way of ASEAN.

Download MP3 (1.1mb)
Download Score (77kb)

The Philippine Entry: ASEAN Reigns!

Happy New Year to all and 2009 will be the ASEAN People's Year!!

---

Related news/links not included above:
Thailand joined in a ceremony to welcome the entry into force of the ASEAN Charter
New ASEAN Anthem Sung

Win U$20,000 and Be Part of History

On Sunday, 2007-November-25, I wrote the A Citizen's Summary of the 1st ASEAN Constitution and gave suggestions about the ASEAN Anthem which according to Article 40: ASEAN shall have an anthem – meaning that we do not have an Anthem yet. Some people have mistaken the ASEAN Hymn Song of Unity and ASEAN Community Song Let Us Move Ahead as the ASEAN Anthem, however, the ASEAN Charter says otherwise.

ASEAN Hymn: Song of Unity

ASEAN Community Song: Let Us Move Ahead

Article 40: ASEAN Anthem

This one, the ‘new’ ASEAN Anthem is still to be written and composed. 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.

The time has come for all ASEAN Citizens to submit their compositions for the ASEAN Anthem! The winning entry will be played and sung during the ASEAN Flag Raising Ceremony on the 14th ASEAN Summit in Thailand and will receive U$20,000.

Format of Competition

This is an Open Competition - open to all the Nationals of the 10-Member Countries of ASEAN.

Competition Rounds

• 1st Round: National Competition in each member countries. Only 20 compositions will be selected for each country
• 2nd Round: Regional Competition in Thailand in mid 2008-October. Only 20 compositions will be selected
• Final Round: Of the Final-20 Compositions, one will be selected as the Official ASEAN Anthem

Criteria

• Language: English
• The Anthem should incorporate the following elements:
  
  • Should reflect ASEAN Dignity, Coopration, and Solidarity;
  • Reflect ASEAN's diverse culture and ethnicity;
  • The ASEAN Anthem should be an original composition;
  • Must be no longer than 60 seconds

Form of Entries and Timeline

• Entries to be sent with score and sheet music (note and lyrics) with voice and musical instruments (preferably piano) recording submitted on CD;
• Submission of compositions is open from the date the Member Country decides but will be only until 2008-September-20 for all;
• Thailand, as host of the competition, will be responsible for rearrangement of the winning entry, as well as adaptation into a full orchestra version for use at the 14th ASEAN Summit in Thailand in 2008-December
• Entries should be submitted to the ASEAN National Secretariat - visit this Official List to know the address and telephone numbers of your ASEAN National Secretariat

Copyright

The selected composition can be revised and rearranged into the Anthem of ASEAN. The ASEAN Anthem will be the Reserved Copyright of ASEAN.

Prize

The winning composition will receive U$20,000 (Twenty Thousand US Dollars).

ASEAN Composers Forum

We require that National representations to the ASEAN Composers Forum are able to judge on both lyrics and melody of all entries.

Thailand will convene an "ASEAN Composers Forum" consisting of one prominent composer from each Member Countries plus up to three prominent musical experts from a musical institution in a neutral country, in mind 2008-October.

---

Sources:

• 14th ASEAN Summit, BANGKOK 2008
• Joint Communique of the 41st ASEAN Ministerial Meeting
• South-East Asian Community comes of age
• ASEAN Anthem Competition
• Asean Anthem Competition
• Competition to look for an ASEAN anthem
• The ASEAN Charter - Bulleted Summary
• A Citizen's Summary of the 1st ASEAN Constitution

Happy Asean Day!!

Let me be the first to greet all of you my fellow Aseans a Happy 41st Asean Day! The theme for our 41st anniversary is no other than "One ASEAN Identity, One ASEAN Community by 2015". We are going that way and we will be there just in time. You don't believe me?

Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) ratified the ASEAN Charter last July 21, 2008, though it was not expected, it wasn't a surprised either. Now three countries are left to ratify the charter namely - Indonesia, Philippines, and Thailand, and I am still very positive the ASEAN Charter will be ratified by all 10 just in-time for the next ASEAN Summit in Thailand where ASEAN was born.

Before I ask the multi-billion dollar question, here are two videos I like to share with you all.

Animation for the ASEAN School Tour 2007

Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN)

One ASEAN Identity, One ASEAN Community by 2015. The question still lingers - what is an ASEAN Identity to us ordinary citizens? I've written about it before on my blog, but with the recent developments, more awareness, and the ASEAN Peoples now more responsive and voices out their opinions, it is only right that we ask the question again, perhaps this time we will have a clearer definition.

So tell us, your fellow Aseans, What is an ASEAN Identity to YOU?

VietNam, 6th Country to Ratify the ASEAN Charter

==Ratification of the Asean Charter==
For the 1st Asean Charter to become legally binding, it has been agreed upon that all ten member nations must ratify the Charter before the next ASEAN Summit this December 2008. The Charter will become effective on the 30th day after the 10th "Instrument of Ratification" has been submitted to the ASEAN Secretary-General, Dr. Surin Pitsuwan.



To date, the following countries ratified and submitted the "Instrument of Ratification":


Remember what I said before in this post: 5th Country to Ratify the ASEAN Charter?

The next five that will ratify it are (in the following order of my prediction): VietNam, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Myanmar.

VietNam ratified the ASEAN Charter last March 6th and submitted the Intrument of Ratification on March 14th. It was signed by VietNam President Nguyen Minh Triet and submitted to ASEAN and the Foreign Ministers of member countries by VietNam Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem.

Four countries left, namely - Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, and Myanmar. With the recent developments, I am more inclined that Thailand will ratify the Charter before Indonesia. The road for the new ASEAN is getting clearer, and slowly, the heavy burden is being put on the shoulders of Myanmar. The next three countries (Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines) are the founding fathers of ASEAN, if Myanmar ratifies the charter before them, then that will be big news.

Let's all hope for the best!

Member State	Government Ratification	Deposit of Instrument of Ratification	Signed by
Singapore	Tuesday, 2007 December 18	Monday, 2008 January 07	Prime Minister
Brunei Darussalam	Thursday, 2008 January 31	Friday, 2008 February 15	Sultan of Brunei Darussalam
Malaysia	Thursday, 2008 February 14	Wednesday, 2008 February 20	Foreign Minister
Lao PDR	Thursday, 2008 February 14	Wednesday, 2008 February 20	Prime Minister
Cambodia	Tuesday, 2008 February 25	not yet submitted	?
VietNam	Tuesday, 2008 March 06	Friday, 2008 March 14	President

The ASEAN Charter - Interesting Parts

It is finally available for download as an ISO Standard PDF file, the official and final "The ASEAN Charter" with signatures of all member states.

Get your own copy by downloading free-of-charge: The ASEAN Charter. (If you haven't noticed, written on the PDF document is the not-so-new official URL: www.asean.org.)

So for an ordinary citizen like me, what are the interesting bits and sections of the ASEAN Charter? Read on to know what interests me most. (Note: I did not include Human Rights sections.)



First things first, if you want the book itself, its code is ISBN 978-979-3496-62-7. First published on December 2007 and first reprint on January 2008. Second, my comments are in red, like so.

The first bolded words of the ASEAN Charter:

• We, the Peoples


• Noting - with satisfaction the significant achievements and expansion of ASEAN...


• Recalling - the decisions to establish an ASEAN Charter...


• Mindful - of the existence of mutual interests and interdependence among the peoples and Member States of ASEAN... which are bound by ..., ..., and shared destiny


• Inspired - by and united under One Vision, One Identity, and One Caring and Sharing Community


• United - by a common desire and collective will to live in a region of lasting peace, security, and stability, sustained economic growth, shared prosperity and social progress...


• Respecting - the fundamental importance of amity and cooperation, ..., equality, ..., non-interference, consensus, and unity in diversity


• Adhering - to the principles of democracy, the rule of law, and good governance, respect for, and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms


• Resolved - to ensure sustainable development for the benefit of present and future generations...


• Convinced - of the need to strengthen existing bonds of regional solidarity to realise an ASEAN Community...


• Committed - to intensifying community building through enhanced regional cooperation and integration, in particular by establishing an ASEAN Community comprising the ASEAN Security Community, the ASEAN Economic Community, and the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community


• Hereby Decide - to establish, through this Charter, the legal and institutional framework for ASEAN


• And to this End, the Heads of State or Government of the Member States of ASEAN, assembled in Singapore on the historic occasion of the 40th anniversary of the founding of ASEAN, have agreed to this Charter

Interesting enough? Here are the next more interesting parts:
Article 1: Purposes

• #3: "to preserve Southeast Asia as a Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone and free of all other weapons of mass destruction; (ok, still safe for us)


• #5: "to create a single market and production base which is stable, prosperous, highly competitive and economically integrated with effective facilitation for trade and investment in which there is free flow of goods, services and investment; faciliated movement of business persons, professionals, talents and labour; and freer flow of capital;(One ASEAN Passport? One ASEAN Visa? ASEAN citizens open-border policy? I sure hope!)


• #13: "to promote a people-oriented ASEAN in which all sectors of society are encouraged to participate in, and benefit from, the process of ASEAN integration and community building;


• #14: "to promote an ASEAN identity through the fostering of greater awareness of the diverse culture and heritage of the region;

Article 2: Principles
#2 "ASEAN and its Member States shall act in accordance with the following Principles:

• (e) non-interference in the internal affairs of ASEAN Member States; (in a way, good enough, the peoples of ASEAN and its respective governments are not yet ready to be meddled with by its neighbors. Until then, we really should maintain non-interference.)


• (f) respect for the right of every Member State to lead its national existence free from external interference, subversion and coercion; (If I understood this correctly, then the ASEAN must not interfere, subvert, or force Myanmar to go back to a democratic form of government, that is if this Charter takes into force. If for this alone, Myanmar has every reason to ratify the Charter.)


• (h) adherence to the rule of law, good governance, the principles of democracy and constitutional government;


• (i) respect for fundamental freedoms, the promotion and protection of human rights, and the promotion of social justice; (Many Filipinos are in favor of the Charter mainly because of this.)


• (l) respect for the different cultures, languages, and religions of the peoples of ASEAN, while emphasising their common values in the spirit of unity in diversity; (A long way to go, trust me. Through my conversation with our brothers and sisters from Lao, Cambodia, and Viet Nam, I learned how much "religion" can affect ASEAN. For someone who is living in a country where there are lots of religion and as such, we are so used to "scams", "pretenders/fakes", "using religion for business", "hostile/forceful conversion to their faith", "conversion tactics", you get the idea, we took these for granted. In the countries I mentioned, the situation is very different, not that they are not used to it, but some religious leaders have a strong view against the other religions (I'm referring to all sides). Something ASEAN must put an attention to and spend an effort if we truly want respect for each other.)

Article 5: Rights and Obligations

• #2: Member States shall take all necessary measures, including the enactment of appropriate domestic legislation, to effectively implement the provisions of this Charter and to comply with all obligations of membership;

Article 6: Adminission of New Members
#2: Admission shall be based on the following criteria (again only those that is interesting to me)

• (a) location in the recognised geographical region of Southeast Asia; (This only means one thing: Papua New Guinea and Timor-Leste will never be part of ASEAN unless they are geographically recognized as part of "South-East Asia". If you are not aware, these two are have shown interest in joining the ASEAN.)


• (b) recognition by all ASEAN Member States;

#4: An applicant State shall be admitted to ASEAN upon signing an Instrument of Accession to the Charter

Article 7: ASEAN Summit
#3: ASEAN Summit Meetings shall be:

• held twice annually, and be hosted by the Member State holding the ASEAN Chairmanship; (We will hear more of ASEAN every year, a positive thing, helping in the awareness of ASEAN.)


• convened, whenever necessary, as special or ad hoc meetings to be chaired by the Member State holding the ASEAN Charimanship, at venues to be agreed upon by ASEAN Member States

Article 9: ASEAN Community Councils

• #1: The ASEAN Community Councils shall comprise the ASEAN Political-Security Community Council, ASEAN Economic Community Council, and ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Council; (ie. The 3 Pillars of ASEAN.)


• #5: Each ASEAN Community Council shall meet at least twice a year and shall be chaired by the appropriate Minister from the Member State holding the ASEAN Chairmanship;

Article 13: ASEAN National Secretariats
Each ASEAN Member State shall establish an ASEAN National Secretariat which shall:

• (a) serve as the national focal point;


• (b) be the repository of information on all ASEAN matters at the national level;


• (c) coordinate the implementation of ASEAN decisions at the national level;


• (d) coordinate and support the national preparations of ASEAN meetings;


• (e) promote ASEAN identity and awareness at the national level;


• (f) contribute to ASEAN community building;

(For my country, Philippines, I will keep watch and observe if there are any efforts as stated by Article 13.)

Article 20: Consultation and Consensus

• #1: As a basic principle, decision-making in ASEAN shall be based on consultation and consensus;

(It seems that it is still consensus-based, not voting. As I'm not an expert in the difference of the two, I do not know if it is good for us. Though I believe, voting is much faster and more effective.)

Article 30: Operational Budget and Finances of the ASEAN Secretariat

• #2: The operational budget of the ASEAN Secretariat shall be met by ASEAN Member States through equal annual contributions which shall be remitted in a timely manner;

(If I'm not mistaken, Member States are already providing annual contributions pre-Charter, however, if you are not, then Article 30 of the ASEAN Charter states it. Now you know where some of your taxes are going.)

Article 34: Working Language of ASEAN

• The working language of ASEAN shall be English.

(I do not know if "working" here refers to "work" or as a "common" language. I think it is both, and as such, ASEAN Member States must step up their teaching of the English language to all its peoples. And to my fellow ASEAN brothers and sisters, my English is not that good, but I still do speak English. Do not get discouraged, it is better to try than not to. Your effort counts and weighs more than those who knows nothing but criticize people.)

Article 35: ASEAN Identity

• ASEAN shall promote its common ASEAN identity and a sense of belonging among its peoples in order to achieve its shared destiny, goals, and values. (we still need to define what an "ASEAN Identity" really is. A greater awareness of the "diverse culture and heritage" is not in itself the "identity". Questions like "who are we?" or "what is it to be identified as an ASEAN?" should be answered, the answers will define our identity.)

Article 36: ASEAN Motto

• The ASEAN motto shall be: "One Vision, One Identity, One Community".

(This is the ASEAN Motto, the ASEAN People's Motto.)

Article 37: ASEAN Flag

• The ASEAN Flag represents a stable, peaceful, united and dynamic ASEAN;


• The colours of the Flag - blue, red, white, and yellow - represent the main colours of the flags of all the ASEAN Member States;


• The blue represents peace and stability;


• Red depicts courage and dynamism;


• White shows purity;


• Yellow symbolises prosperity;


• The stalks of padi represent the dream of ASEAN's Founding Fathers for an ASEAN comprising all the countries in Southeast Asia bound together in friendship and solidarity;


• The circle represents the unity of ASEAN;

(They should have included a provision wherein Member States are required to raise the ASEAN Flag before their respective National Flags. This could have started with the governments, as we can not expect private institutions and other sectors to follow. But if the People of a particular Member State reacts against it, then maybe another clause should have been added wherein it allows the ASEAN Flag to be raised after the National Flag. South-East Asian's are nationalistic, there will always be people who will take it as an insult for a flag to be raised prior to the National Flag. (But I won't, I believe in the ASEAN Dream.))

Article 38: ASEAN Emblem

• The ASEAN Flag represents a stable, peaceful, united and dynamic ASEAN;


• The colours of the Flag - blue, red, white, and yellow - represent the main colours of the flags of all the ASEAN Member States;


• The blue represents peace and stability;


• Red depicts courage and dynamism;


• White shows purity;


• Yellow symbolises prosperity;


• The stalks of padi represent the dream of ASEAN's Founding Fathers for an ASEAN comprising all the countries in Southeast Asia bound together in friendship and solidarity;


• The circle represents the unity of ASEAN;


• The font used for the word "ASEAN" in the Emblem is lower-case Helvetica in bold;

Article 39: ASEAN Day

• The eighth of August shall be observed as ASEAN Day.

(The "shall be observed" phrase could be anything, they should have added "a non-working holiday". Regardless, I am expecting, once this Charter comes into force, all Member States will declare ASEAN Day as a Non-Working Holiday. This will greatly help and impact the awareness of the ASEAN People about and on ASEAN. Member States can also create synchronized or related programs to promote ASEAN. They can also create programs wherein people will have a chance to ask and speak in a (controlled) dialogue. There is no better way to bring ASEAN to the grassroots than by involving and having a dialogue with the people.)

Article 40: ASEAN Anthem

• ASEAN shall have an anthem.

(Just that. Yes, just that, no typos or errors. The ASEAN Anthem, if I understood it, is still to be composed. But after that, once we have an anthem, what's next? Well, just like the ASEAN Flag, it is just there. You will only see and hear these symbols during official ASEAN functions (and perhaps ASEAN Day). My suggestion is to make the ASEAN Anthem be played/sung on Member States during their respective Anthem Ceremonies before their National Anthems. This is one great way of promoting ASEAN and will surely impact positively the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Integration process.)

Article 47: Signature, Ratification, Depository, and Entry into Force

• #1: This Charter shall be signed by all ASEAN Member States;


• #2: This Charter shall be subject to ratification by all ASEAN Member States in accordance with their respective internal procedures;


• #3: Instruments of ratification shall be deposited with the Secretary-General of ASEAN who shall promptly notify all Member States of each deposit;


• #4: This Charter shall enter into force on the thirtieth day following the date of deposit of the tenth instrument of ratification with the Secretary-General of ASEAN;

Article 48: Amendments

• #1: Any Member State may propose amendments to the Charter;


• #2: Proposed amendments to the Charter shall be submitted by the ASEAN Coordinating Council by consensus to the ASEAN Summit for its decision;


• #3: Amendments to the Charter agreed to by consensus by the ASEAN Summit shall be ratified by all Member States in according with Article 47;


• #4: An amendment shall enter into force on the thirtieth day following the date of deposit of the last instrument of ratification with the Secretary-General of ASEAN;

(The Amendments approval process is the same as the Charter. I do not know why it has to be similar if the ASEAN is already an entity not just simply an organization (if there's an Amendment, the Charter has been ratified). Ratification and submission of the Instrument of Ratification of all 10 Member States is very time consuming. One way or another, there will be failures because one-out-of-ten countries failed to ratify the amendment(s). This Charter alone is already going through that. I hope they change this one, there is no point having this charter and becoming an entity, if ASEAN can not enforce things like an amendment. If I missed the point, please do enlighten me.)

Article 50: Review

• This Charter may be reviewed five years after its entry into force or as otherwise determined by the ASEAN Summit.

Signed by:

• Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, Sultan of Brunei Darussalam


• Samdech Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia


• Dr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, President of the Republic of Indonesia


• Bouasone Bouphavanh, Prime Minister of the Lao People's Democratic Republic


• Dato' Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Prime Minister of Malaysia


• General Thein Sein, Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar


• Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, President of the Republic of the Philippines


• Lee Hsien Loong, Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore


• General Surayud Chulanont (Ret.), Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand


• Nguyen Tan Dung, Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam

Thanks to all!

5th Country to Ratify the ASEAN Charter

My first prediction came true, Cambodia will be the next country to ratify the Asean Charter and so it was. Today Yesterday, February 26 25, 2008, the Cambodian National Assembly unanimously approved the ASEAN Charter.

Pen Pagna, Chairman of the legislation and justice committee of the parliament said that the ASEAN Charter can help Cambodia to "rule by law and walk to democracy and development". They are also very much interested in the economic and social integration with their ASEAN neighbors, as laid down and written in the ASEAN Charter.

This is great news, Cambodia showing interest and believes in the ASEAN Charter as a tool for democracy and the rule of law. This can be used as a leverage for Myanmar (Burma). The ASEAN Charter is now approved by half of its 10-member states. First was Singapore last January 7, 2008; then Brunei last February 15, 2008; third is Malaysia on February 18, 2008; Laos fourth, on February 20, 2008; and now Cambodia, February 26 25, 2008.

The next five that will ratify it are (in the following order of my prediction): VietNam, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Myanmar.

Thailand already said that they will ratify it by June; Philippines gave word that they will start its ratification anytime soon. Indonesia on the other hand will seem to have some problems ratifying the it, but I am still optimistic that they will approve the ASEAN Charter before Thailand.

VietNam, being one of the countries that most benefited from ASEAN is set to ratify it next, and if you are not aware, VietNam is the most active ASEAN member to date having hosted many functions in different ASEAN sectors, as well as boasting how ASEAN could implement the ASEAN Economic Integration by 2010, 5 years ahead of schedule.

Philippines and Myanmar, I see the Philippines ratifying it before Myanmar, as the former already gave a statement on their change-of-heart. This is good, as once 9-member states ratify the Asean Charter, Myanmar will feel the pressure to ratify it before the 14th Asean Summit this December at Bangkok, Thailand, where it all began.

In fact, there will be a celebration already scheduled for the ratification of the ASEAN Charter by all 10-member countries, this will be held at the Saranrom Palace, where the ASEAN Declaration was signed on 8th of August 1967, 41 years ago by that time. Truly historic and a day to remember.

And I expect that this year's ASEAN Day, as per the ASEAN Charter, all 10-member countries must recognize, it will be a great day of celebration and the best time to spread ASEAN to the people themselves (enough of the Elite level media hyping). After all, August 8, 2008 is 888, for those who believes in numerology. What will happen on that day? I don't know, but I sure hope it will be positively memorable, and all countries declare it an official non-working holiday.

Congratulations to Cambodia! Thank you for your support of the ASEAN Charter, my Asean brothers and sisters!!

---

Sources:
Cambodian NA approves ASEAN Charter
Cambodian National Assembly approves ASEAN Charter

PS
"Asia's Perfect 10" founder, Denith, told us last week that Cambodia ratified the ASEAN Charter already, but news didn't came out until today. I can only imagine how it is like to see and hear TV and Radio stations filled with "ASEAN" and the "ASEAN Charter". I have yet to see and hear reports about it here in the Philippines. Until then, I can only imagine....

Laos and Brunei Ratifies the Asean Charter

Four out of ten countries of ASEAN ratified the 1st Asean Charter, the latest Laos and Brunei with the latter having ratified and submitted the "instrument of ratification" last February 15 before Malaysia.

Six more countries are still to ratify the Asean Charter namely - Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand and Viet Nam. All six countries have until early December to ratify the Asean Charter before the next ASEAN Summit starts.

I am predicting that the next countries to ratify it are Cambodia, Viet Nam, and Indonesia. The first two are where Asean was positively felt the most (being the newest members of the group and as reported in the ASEAN Awareness Survey) and Indonesia as being one of the founder of the grouping and being one of the most active about the Asean Charter (other than Singapore).

Congratulations to Brunei and Laos and thank you very much! This hopefully puts more pressure to the Philippines and Myanmar.

Here's the list based on reports:
1) Singapore - Submitted on: Monday, 2008-January 7
2) Brunei - Submitted on: Friday, 2008-February 15
3) Malaysia - Ratified on: Monday, 2008-February 18; Submitted on: Wednesday, 2008-February 20
4) Laos - Submitted on: Wednesday, 2008-February 20

The Asean Charter will be effective on the 30th day after the 10th instrument of ratification is submitted to the ASEAN Secretary-General Dr. Surin Pitsuwan.

Source: Press Release: Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, and Lao PDR Ratify the ASEAN Charter (20 February 2008)

You NEED to help lest we want our future to stay dark forever

Malaysia is the second ASEAN member that ratified the 1st ASEAN Charter, but do you know that there is still much to be done? No, I'm not talking about the mumbo-jumbo elite high-level talks of our dear leaders, I am talking about what YOU and me must and need to do. But where are we lacking anyway? Which is our job as ordinary people? Read on and you will know.



What is an ASEAN Citizen?

Generally speaking, an ASEAN citizen is family-oriented, tradition-minded, respectful of authority, consensus-seeking, and tolerant.

As was explained by H.E. Ong Keng Yong, Secretary-General of ASEAN on 12th November 2003. He said that we are a "Caring and Sharing" people who [1]helps each other; [2] shares responsibilities; and [3] share benefits. "These common qualities in attitudes and predispositions are clearly reflected in the Bali Concord II (Declaration of ASEAN Concord II) adopted by ASEAN Leaders at their Summit in Bali, in October 2003." The document stressed our shared responsibility, shared prosperity, and shared identity.

It is these values that makes up an Asean Citizen. We value the culture, history, and beliefs of each other and give utmost respect to everyone. This has become known as the "Asean Way", and this today drives us forward into a future of One Region - the Asean Community (or should I say, in a not-so-far future "Asean Union").

BUT, there is a long road of work ahead of us all if we want to even go there. Forget about the "elite" or the policy makers, the problem lies down to the grassroots - the People, the Aseans. Our dear leaders can do everything they want, spend countless of hours and days in meetings, but unless all of it goes down to the "People Level", everything is or will become useless, wasted money and efforts.

For example, in a recently held dialogue session on Asean Charter: Its Prospects and Implications held in Brunei Darussalam, the youths do not have enough knowledge about the ASEAN and the ASEAN Charter. Yes they are aware of "ASEAN" as an organization, the summits, and media-hyped meetings like the signing of the ASEAN Charter, but it ends there. One student asked by The Brunei Times about their awareness of Asean and its efforts said:

I am aware of the happenings of Asean from watching the news and also from reading it online but I need to know these information because I am taking the Asean course this semester.

Other students, like Adina Hazri, also taking a course on Asean mentioned the lack of knowledge on Asean as an organization because it doesn't affect the younger generation directly, or should I say, the "people", the grassroots. She added, "The Asean politics mostly affects the elite such as policy makers and thus the younger generation like myself, do not automatically assume that we can contribute towards its development." And this the case not just in Brunei but in some Asean countries as well.

When asked about if they see themselves as a citizen of Asean, Husna, a student, answered that the fact that she took the course is in itself the evidence that she sees herself as an Asean Citizen. This is a good start nonetheless.

Why? The ASEAN Foundation released the results of their project: ASEAN Awareness Survey a month ago targeted towards the students or the younger generation. Quoting the current ASEAN Secretary-General Dr. Surin Pitsuwan:

Among the three pillars of ASEAN, the Socio-Cultural Community has been given the lowest attention although it is the most important pillar. As such, it is important to know where we are and how we can build a stronger bond for people to feel the ownership of ASEAN.

The "three pillars of ASEAN"?

• ASEAN Political and Security Community (APSC)


• ASEAN Economic Community (AEC)


• ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC)

I will concentrate on ASCC, and the vision states that "ASEAN's goal of a community of cohesive, equitable, and harmonious societies, bound together in solidarity for deeper understanding and coopration." ASCC key features are:

• Equitable access to opportunities will be universal - rising above the barriers of religion, race, language, gender, and social and cultural background


• Human potentials are nurtured to the fullest, so that all individuals can participate meaningfully in a competitive world in a manner that gives paramount importance to their welfare and dignity


• Norms of social and distributive justice are upheld by addressing issues of poverty and equity, and special care is given to vulnerable groups - children, youth, women, the elderly, and persons with disabilities - who could be the subject of abuse, neglect, and discrimination


• The environment and natural resources are protected and managed to sustain development and as a legacy for future generations


• Civil society is engaged in providing inputs for policy choices


• People are healthy in mind and body and living in harmony in safe environments


• ASEAN Citizens interact in a community conscious of its ties of history, aware of its cultural heritage and bound by a common regional identity

And that is the ASCC that many people, not just the students, are not aware of which is, as Dr. Pitsuwan said, "the most important". Here are some points of the report that Dr. Pitsuwan found as surprising, things to be concerned about, and disappointments.

• the most common attitude towards ASEAN was "positive"


• over 75% of students agreed with the statement "I feel I am a citizen of ASEAN". They may not know yet that the drafters of the ASEAN Charter felt that ASEAN was not yet ready to recognize the ASEAN "citizenship", the way the European Union does recognize European citizenship; thus the ASEAN Charter is silent on the ASEAN citizenship


• the positive sentiments were strongest in Laos, Cambodia, and Viet Nam. I guess they are newcomers and get a lots of benefits by joining the group


• the positive sentiment was weakest in Myanmar and Singapore


• only 38.6% of the students in the Philippines could correctly identify the ASEAN flag - this is quite serious, considering the fact that the Philipines was chairing ASEAN in 2006-2007, when this survey was conducted


• and worse, only 38.5% of the Thai students knew the ASEAN flag. I am afraid I have a lot more public information work to do in my own country, Thailand!

What I found interesting and disturbing:

• There is an overwhelming positive response (I can personally say "the majority") that "Membership in ASEAN is beneficial to my country"


• When the benefits of ASEAN were framed at a personal level, "My Country's membership in ASEAN is beneficial to me personally", the response is less than the general benefits to the country but it is strong nonetheless


• Philippine students are among the least cognizant of ASEAN as a regional grouping


• Philippine students can list only a relatively low number of ASEAN countries


• Philippine students when asked to list ASEAN countries with which they are most familiar, "other" non-ASEAN countries in general are listed more frequently than five of the nine members of ASEAN outside the Philippines

For the Philippine students, this only shows how the country developed to being "isolated" from the rest of the region, in which the main cause is that the country is very divided geographically and politically speaking within and without. Then secondly, the country is not bordering "by land" other countries, being a maritime country, we are less aware of the region than those who borders by land other countries.

Third, the Philippine education system. During my time, ASEAN was being taught to us. We have exams related to ASEAN, from identifying the nations in various methods, listing the members, and knowing the flag, even studying the rules in displaying the ASEAN flag side-by-side with the Philippine flag. We were even taught about our Asean brothers and sisters! I do not know what happened but ASEAN is not part of the curriculum anymore (or maybe it never was, I just got very lucky different schools I attended to teaches about the ASEAN).


What can we get from all these?

• We seriously need to have an information campaign


• We need to bring "ASEAN" to the grassroots level


• ASEAN must be part of the education system in all member countries


• We must have ASEAN Courses available, just like in Brunei, in all member countries


• We - the People of Asean, need to interact and socialize with each other more, be it offline, online, or through Online Games

The "elite" as we all call them can only do so much. They are here to set the road for us and for our children, and children's children. The day will come when they have to pass the load to you and me, but at this time, we are not ready to carry it and bring it to fruition. Many still dismisses the Asean as a "false hope", many will claim that "we are just copying the European Union". This is our region my brothers and sisters, and our region is "being left behind". If we don't take an optimistic view and be an active Asean, then our future, both as individual countries and as a region is very dark.

You don't know what to do? How about telling your classmates, officemates, colleauges, about this blog to begin with? No, we are not asking for hits, but we believe that we are helping in the fulfillment of this dream - OUR DREAM. We believe that through this blog, we can further open channels for each and every one of us to share our cultures, our histories, our values, and together build the "Asean Community".

Little efforts is a huge contribution to this huge dream of our region. This blog is only one of the many efforts being taken to foster good relationship with all the member nations. Best of all, being Optimistic AND Active will greatly help. Instead of saying pessimistic statements, instead of giving out passive comments, turn it around and make it useful for every reader who will read your feedbacks.

You and me are citizens of Asean. Though, the 1st Asean Charter still doesn't recognize "citizenship" in Asean "officially", as the survey shows, the next generation already sees themselves as one. I, being 26, sees myself as an Asean Citizen and is proud of it. Though it is not-so-clear yet as to what the "Asean Identity" is, but we are all molding that identity already.

If you still don't know what to do to help, then I suggest this, why don't you help in promoting the Asean Charter in your own community (school, office, home) and tell them the advantages of it? Tell them, for it to be effective and useful for our future, each of our governments must ratify it. As of the time of this writing, only Singapore and Malaysia ratified the Asean Charter.

So, there you go, we can greatly help in the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community, YOU can do it! Good enough? Easy right? Let's all start helping then..

---

Here are the links and sources you can visit for further reading:
Most youngsters identify themselves as ASEAN citizens
BiSEAN
GenNext knows little about Asean
ASEAN Being Left Behind
ASEAN Awareness Survey Discussion
A Citizens Summary of the 1st ASEAN Constitution
ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC)
Two New Portals About the ASEAN Identity
ASEAN Political and Security Community (APSC)
On ASEAN Integration
ASEAH Charter ("leaked" draft)
The 1st ASEAN Constitution adn the ASEAN Economic Blueprint
Asean Charter reflects grouping's chequered history
ASEAN Official Sites
Three months needed to publish ASEAN Charter
ASEAN Citizens
ASEAN Secretariat

And of course: ASEAN - Asia's Perfect 10

One Vision, One Identity, One Community

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

• ASEAN Political and Security Community (APSC)


• ASEAN Economic Community (AEC)


• ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC)

* 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

2007 SEA Games and the Charter

I honestly was caught off guard when I read in the news that the next edition of the SEA Games is coming up. I of course will be supporting the Malaysia. Yes, I want golds for Malaysia but the goal of the Games undoubtedly is greater ASEAN integration. The Games is one of few occasions which the people of ASEAN could come together and celebrate our Southeast Asian union, very unlike the recently adopted ASEAN Charter.

The ASEAN Charter beings with "We, the peoples of the Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations..." despite the fact that the document is mostly drafted by bureaucrats that worked far detached from the people the Charter claims to represent.

It's highly likely that the Charter will be ratified by the legislative arms of each member state. While that may be acceptable, given the state of Southeast Asian democracy, especially of that on the mainland including Malaysia and Singapore, I doubt the Charter will have the legitimacy to really enforce its wills — or rather, theoretically, the wills of the people — throughout ASEAN. In other words, I'd refer to have a referendum as a barometer to measure grassroots support for the Charter rather than have the legislative to rubber stamp the Charter by demand of the executive.

I have a few more misgivings for the Charter but regardless, I look forward to a more integrated region to rival the European Union. I look forward to a day when I could cross the border of Southeast Asian countries with impunity. Most of all, with the disappointing Doha Round, regionalism is the next best solution to global free trade.

Anyway, so, who is going to the SEA Games?