#MINDANAO
John Tria
ASEAN, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the regional grouping of the countries that make up the world's most diverse region of about 600 million citizens, is a combination of fast-growing economies.
I believe it was formed from the lessons learned from earlier international groupings such as the Southeast Asian Treaty Organization (SEATO) and the Malaysia Philippines Indonesia (MAPHILINDO) and the Association of Southeast Asia in the 1950s and 1960s.
Recall that this period saw the beginnings of independence of its most populous countries from former colonizers. The Indochina conflict was in full swing with US forces doing battle in Vietnam, and the fear of the spread of Communism was strong.
The development of ASEANs form and purpose has evolved over the years, starting with the Bangkok declaration of 1967, the 1976 Treaty of Amity and Cooperation that established the ASEAN Way and ASEAN Centrality, which includes among others, consensus in making decisions, non-interference in internal affairs of ASEAN member states.
These principles underpin current agreements and cooperation frameworks such as the Economic Community, made firm with the free trade agreements in goods (ATIGA) and services (ATISA). The Socio-Cultural community that envisions cooperation in cultural exchange and education, among others and Political and Security Community, which highlights specific programs to enhance security cooperation.
With these agreements and frameworks over the last 54 years since the 1967 Bangkok Declaration, a lot of work was exerted by respective governments over various administrations to create the ASEAN of today. These efforts further define not only purpose, but their frequently updated blueprints that guide the development of common efforts. At the moment, the sub-regions that are near each other yet far from their respective national capitals. Trade between nearby areas of ASEAN needs to be boosted.
What needs to be done, in my view is for non-government sectors such as civil society and business groups and academic institutions to get involved more fully in realizing the vision of these ASEAN community frameworks. The benefits of people-to-people cooperation, especially in the post pandemic era, with all its challenges, will require that higher levels of intra ASEAN trade and cooperation, and the sharing of ideas and best practices in managing calamities, pandemics and other disruptions. The last two years has amplified this capability to communicate beyond borders. Increased exchange and trade in the private sector give flesh to the frameworks and agreements. The next few years we will all need to capitalize on these capabilities further.
As ordinary citizens of ASEAN member countries, it is time to think as a region, linked both by low fares from intense airline competition and cheaper hotel rates that allow us to visit various southeast Asian countries. As a result, we have made new friends and deepened our understanding of each other's culture, food, scenery, historical experience, even development paths which bear more similarities than we care to admit. Those among you wishing to deepen the understanding and the 20th century sociologists like Thomas K. Merton and Talcott Parsons give us a warmer idea of how societies work and thrive, what makes them tick and move. It will be useful to read them as we further analyze the ASEAN phenomenon.
The good news is that technology through online communication has facilitated greater exchange, and financial technology instruments and online trading boosts commerce. Thus over the next few years I foresee more trade and exchange between ASEAN countries, helping it thrive, and in turn, allowing us to live the ASEAN dream of a united community more fully.