Basically Basic Asean Basic Document

Much has been said about ASEAN. The ASEAN charter is now on its way to be ratified by the member states, and series of consultations for the ASEAN basic document are being spearheaded to unite the differences and consolidate the interests of the ASEAN nations.

But there are several problems along the way. ASEAN leaders wanted the organization be a successful regional bloc, not only economically but politically in its faction in the globe. But this fast-tracking of ASEAN Vision 2020 (now ASEAN 2015), would be a dream more than reality if crucial issues of making ASEAN closer to the people of South East Asia will not be realized.

First, the level of awareness of the people in the region in the existence of ASEAN is still somewhat unfelt. The ASEAN has not yet been successful creating an ASEAN regional identity, or awareness that will reach its more than 500 million citizens on ASEAN benefits and gains. The question is, “how can ASEAN be more relevant to the individual citizens of each member nations?” For instance, how will ASEAN be interesting to the people in Myanmar in the present conflict there of Aung San Suu Kyi against the government of Myanmar? How will the ASEAN be more responsive to the pressing need to alleaviate poverty in young people of Cambodia and Laos? How will ASEAN help to improve the economic momentum of the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam?

Simply put, the citizens of the South East Asian states need to be more familiar with the workings and systems of ASEAN. The individual citizens, for instance of Laos, or Cambodia, Philippines and Thailand, among others, need to be acquainted with the notion of ASEAN and its primary objectives for the region and for its people. Meaning, ASEAN needs to be introduced, submerged and saturated within the mindset of every SouthEast Asian. Without, this I believe, no full integration can happen. The integration sought to be achieved by the leaders of this region would be like an elitist organization, perhaps, far from what it was originally conceived.

There must be strong efforts first to introduce ASEAN in its entirety and its importance, role and function in the lives, culture, economic conditions, and religious belief of every South East Asian. A strong campaign must be made in order to make ASEAN closer to its people, so that from the grassroots of the ASEAN society to the high economic perspectives of its leaders, true integration, harmony and cooperation can be fully achieved.