The Philosophy of ASEAN Nations

Kevin Jade C. Auditor

HISTORY
ASEAN was established on 8 August 1967 in
Bangkok by the five original member countries:
Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and
Thailand. Brunei Darussalam joined on 8 January
1984, Vietnam on 28 July 1995, Laos and
Myanmar on 23 July 1997, and Cambodia on 30
April 1999.
MEMBERS
OBJECTIVES
The ASEAN Declaration states that the aims and purposes of the
Association are:
(1) to accelerate the economic growth, social progress and
cultural development in the region through joint
endeavors in the spirit of equality and partnership in order
to strengthen the foundation for a prosperous and
peaceful community of Southeast Asian nations, and
(2) (2) to promote regional peace and stability through abiding
respect for justice and the rule of law in the relationship
among countries in the region and adherence to the
principles of the United Nations Charter. In 1995, the
ASEAN Heads of State and Government re-affirmed that
“Cooperative peace and shared prosperity shall be the
fundamental goals of ASEAN.”
 FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLE
The Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) in Southeast Asia, signed at the First
ASEAN Summit on 24 February 1976, declared that in their relations with one
another, the High Contracting Parties should be guided by the following
fundamental principles:
 Mutual respect for the independence, sovereignty, equality, territorial integrity,
and national identity of all nations;
 The right of every State to lead its national existence free from external
interference, subversion, or coercion;
 Non-interference in the internal affairs of one another;
 Settlement of differences or disputes by peaceful manner;
 Renunciation of the threat or use of force; and
 Effective cooperation among themselves.
 POLITICAL COOPERATION
The TAC stated that ASEAN political and security dialogue
and cooperation should aim to promote regional peace and
stability by enhancing regional resilience. Regional resilience
shall be achieved by cooperating in all fields based on the
principles of self-confidence, self-reliance, mutual respect,
cooperation, and solidarity, which shall constitute the
foundation for a strong and viable community of nations in
Southeast Asia.
THREE PILLARS OF ASEAN
The three pillars of the ASEAN Community, namely
the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC),
the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) and
the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC), are
the most crucial areas deemed necessary for the
progress and evolution of ASEAN and its peoples.
INDONESIA
 INDONESIA
 Jakarta
 Etymology – Indos “Indian Island”
 Government – Presidential System
 Economy – Newly Industrialized (16TH largest economy,
17TH in GDP)
 Demographics – 237.6 million
 Ethnicity – Diverse
 Religion – Islam 87.2%
 Education – Is compulsory for 12 years
 Issues – Gap in wealth, Unemployment, LGBT issues
 PHILIPPINES
 Manila
 Etymology – named in honor of King Philip II of Spain. (Felipinas)
 Government – Presidential System (Democratic)
 Economy – 34th Largest in the world
 Demographics – 103.3 million
 Ethnicity – Diverse (tagalog is the major)
 Religion – Christianity
 Education – literacy rate of 95.6%, with 95.1% for males
and 96.1% for females.
 Issues – Gap in wealth, Unemployment, LGBT issues
 THAILAND
 Bangkok
 Etymology – Siam (Sayam0
 Government – Constitutional Monarchy
 Economy – Newly industrialized (2nd Largest Economy)
 Demographics – 68.9 million
 Ethnicity – Thai nationals
 Religion – Theravada Buddhism
 Education – literacy rate 93.5%
 Issues – Income, Poverty and Wealth
 VIETNAM
 Hanoi
 Etymology – Nam Viet (Southern Viet)
 Government – unitary Marxist-Leninist one
party socialist republic (Communist)
 Economy – nominal GDP per capita of $4,357
 Demographics – 94.6 million
 Ethnicity –
 Religion – Freedom of belief
 Education – literacy rate 90%
 Issues – Income, Poverty and Wealth