WEEK 15| CONTEMPORARY WORLD| MODULE 13: THE ASEAN INTEGRATION

Overview: The fragmented economies of Southeast Asia of each country pursuing its own
limited objectives and dissipating its meager resources in the overlapping or even conflicting
endeavors of sister states carry the seeds of weakness in their incapacity for growth and their
self-perpetuating dependence on the advanced, industrial nations. ASEAN, therefore, could
marshal the still untapped potentials of this rich region through more substantial united action.

At the end of the module, the students will be able to:

1. revisit the history of the ASEAN;

2. explain ASEAN Integration; and

3. discuss the ASEAN Economic and Socio-Cultural Blueprint.

Discussion:
ASEAN – Association of Southeast Asian Nations; a regional cooperation in the
Southeast Asia

Integration – establishment of formal processes toward collaboration for shared

economic and socio- cultural goals

When discussing about Asian regionalism, one cannot veer away from discussing the
evolution and dynamics of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). In the early
1960s, there was already an emerging organization among Philippines, Thailand, and the
Republic of Malaya in what was called the Association of Southeast Asia (ASA). It was
established in July 31, 1961 by Thanat Khoman (Thailand), Felixberto Serrano (Philippines), and
Tunku Abdul Raman (Malaya). While the articulated goals of this regionalism process was
cultural and economic cooperation. Some challenges were encountered from its inception such
as lack of confidence from other Southeast Asian nation, presumed political goals, and the
dissent from other states because of their alignment with the Western Bloc.

In 1963, another confederation was formed, convened by then President Diosdado

Macapagal. This was referred to as MAPHILINDO (Great Malayan Confederation), involving
Malaysia, Philippines and Indonesia, which aimed to unite “nations of Malay origins.” This did
not last very long and was terminated by Indonesia-Malaysia Konfrontasi—the former’s policy
arguing against the formation of the federation of Malaysia.
 The principles of the ASEAN are enshrined in the ASEAN Declaration (1967), also
referred to as Bangkok Declaration. The opening section of the Declaration provided situationer
of SEA’s geopolitical and economic affairs at the time:

. Existence of shared problems and interests

. Need for unity and cooperation

. Shared aspirations and ideals (“peace, progress, and prosperity”)

. Shared responsibility for “economic and social responsibility”

. Presence of foreign bases as temporary and with “concurrence from countries

concerned”

The following section contains the declarations, as follows:

. Establishment of ASEAN

. An articulation of the aims and purpose of ASEAN

. A list of strategies and mechanisms to enable the achievement of the goals

. A statement of openness for membership

. An articulation of ASEAN as a collective representation of member

Four years after, representatives from Indonesia and Singapore, with those from three
ASA member states, engaged in informal discussions in a coastal resort in Bang Saen, where
they formulated the idea of a Southeast Asian cooperation. Thus in August 8, 1967, these
foreign ministers sat down in Bangkok, Thailand and signed the ASEAN Declaration. Also
referred to as the founding Fathers of ASEAN, the five ministers present were Adam Malik
(Indonesia), Narciso R. Ramos (Philippines), Tun Abdul Razak (Malaysia), S. Rajaratnam
(Singapore), and Thanat Khoman (Thailand.
CONTEMPLATE

Look for digital or printed articles or books discussing the history of MAPHILINDO.
Explore further what were the goals of its establishment, what were the agreements in that
confederation, and why it ended too soon. Write your notes in the space provide below.

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What were realizations as you were doing your research?

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CONTEMPLATE

Visit the ASEAN website or other reliable sources. Look for the seven goals of the ASEAN
as stipulated in the Bangkok Declaration. List the goals in the following spaces:

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Choose a goal which you think is the most important. Write a brief essay explaining
why you think this is essential. Articulate how you think this particular goal affect you as a
Filipino youth and as a citizen of this country. Write your essay in the space provided:

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COLLABORATE AND COMMUNICATE

Form smaller groups and fill out the following table about countries in the ASEAN.

Current Secretary or Interesting

Minister of
Country Capital Population President Facts
Foreign
Affairs

Indonesia

Philippines

Malaysia

Singapore

Thailand

What are the thoughts about the data you gathered?

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 Do you feel the influence of these countries in your life as a Filipino youth and as a
citizen of this country? What can you say about their influences? Write your essay in the space
provide.

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CREATE

Using oil pastel or crayons, draw a poster on the ASEAN motto: “One Vision, One
Identity and One Caring and Sharing Community.” Use the space below.

ASSESSMENT

1. Create a cine to synthesize everything you have learned about ASEAN and the ASEAN
integration.

2. Write an opinion essay: Do you believe that ASEAN integration will lead us to the kind of
desirable future we envision? Why or why not?