ASEAN IN

THE 21 ST

CENTURY
 Course Description
This course is a survey on the founding of the
ASEAN in 1967 and a study of the social,
economic and political failures and successes of
its member countries that have received attention
in the last decades of the 20th century and are
gaining stature in the arena of international politics
in the 21st century. It is a study of how ASEAN has
continuously and constructively responded to the
dramatic, rapid and far-reaching transformation in
the global and regional environment and how the
different ASEAN member states have fully
benefited from the opportunities and the
challenges of a rapidly changing world.
 Course Objectives

GENERAL: At the end of the semester,

appreciate the vision set by ASEAN in the
21st century and develop a general
concept of just what are the dimensions of
ASEAN member nations’ successes and
the challenges it will face.
 SPECIFIC: At the end of the
course, the student is expected to:
1. Know and understand the commitment of ASEAN member-
states in accepting each other as equals and respecting each
other’s independence, regardless of size and resources.
2. Strive to create a community where all people will pursue the
growth of enduring bonds with each other, drawing strength
from both their diversity and solidarity.
3. Learn how ASEAN has become an effective united voice in
international forums, actively promoting its economic and
political agenda.
4. Appreciate how ASEAN stands today as the most enduring,
the most dynamic and the most successful grouping of
developing countries anywhere in the world.
5. Review the historical context from which ASEAN
emerged into a prosperous and peaceful community of
SEA nations.
6. Know that ASEAN has taken the lead in ensuring
peace and security in the region, without forming itself
into a military alliance.
7. Learn that the course provides a subtle yet significant
contribution towards ASEAN’s vision of enhanced
regional cooperation and Philippine attempts to
achieve NICdom.
8. Explore the possibilities of converting the ASEAN into
a greater political, economic and cultural grouping to
counteract similar groupings in the world.
9. Trace how ASEAN members try to revitalize their
association in order to promote both their economic
interests and the security of their political and strategic
environment.
 Course Outline:
1. Background of ASEAN member countries’
history
A. Geographical Setting (brief background)
B. Brief historical development with emphasis on
their period of colonialism
i. Philippines under the Spaniards and Americans
ii. Malaysia under the British
iii. Singapore under the British
iv. Brunei under the British
v. Burma under the British
vi. Indonesia under the Dutch
vii. Vietnam under the French
viii. Laos under the French
ix. Cambodia under the French
x. Thailand
 C. Era of Independence
D. ASPAC, SEATO, ASA, MAPHILINDO
(Organizations that paved the way for the
formation of ASEAN)
2. Beginnings of ASEAN
a) History/Origin
b) Formation
c) Aims and Purpose
d) Organizational Structure
e) Founding Fathers
f) LOGO
3. ASEAN onwards to the 21st century
a) Formidable Challenges
b) Objectives
c) Visions
d) Achievements
4. ASEAN and the World
a) ASEAN and APEC
b) ASEAN and Japan
c) ASEAN and China
d) ASEAN and the USA
e) ASEAN and Dialogue Partners
5. ASEAN member countries in relation to their:
Economic, Political, Military and Social Activities
6.  Hope and Prospects
 ASEAN
Association of Southeast
Asian Nations
• Elpidio Quirino (ASPAC)
– Asian & Pacific Council
• Ramon Magsaysay (SEATO)
– Southeast Asian Treaty Organization
• Carlos P. Garcia (ASA)
– Association of Southeast Asia
• Diosdado P. Macapagal (MAPHILINDO)
– Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia
• Ferdinand E. Marcos (ASEAN)
– Association of Southeast Asian Nations
 Asian and Pacific Council
(ASPAC)
• Founded by 9 nations:
Australia, Japan, Malaysia, New
Zealand, Philippines, Taiwan, South
Korea, South Vietnam and Thailand

• Headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand.

 Aims of ASPAC

1. to promote economic, social, & political

cooperation among non – communist
nations of Asia & the Pacific.

2. to safeguard the national independence

of the member nations.
 Southeast Asian Treaty
Organization (SEATO)
• an anti-communist military alliance Southeast
Asia.
• is the Asian counterpart of the NATO (North
Atlantic Treaty Organization) in Europe.
• It was established in Manila on Sept. 8, 1954.
• there were 8 member nations: Australia,
France, Great Britain, Pakistan, New
Zealand, Philippines, Thailand and USA.
• Headquarters was in Bangkok, Thailand.
 Aims of SEATO

1. to check the rising tide of communism in

Southeast Asia.
2. to preserve peace & freedom in SEA and
Western Pacific.
3. to promote economic, social, and cultural
cooperation among member nations.
• In recent years the SEATO has lost much
prestige because of its inability to check the
communist infiltration and subversion in
SEA and to stop regional wars including the:
1. Malaysia – Indonesia War, 1963-1966
2. 2nd India – Pakistan War, 1965.
3. 3rd India – Pakistan War, 1971.
4. Vietnam War, 1956-1975.
 Association of Southeast Asia
(ASA)
• Brainchild of Pres. Carlos P. Garcia (Phil.)
and PM Tunku Abdul Rahman (Malaysia).

• Established in Bangkok on July 31, 1961 in

conjunction with the “Bangkok Declaration”

• Members were the Philippines, Thailand, &

Malaya (Later Federation of Malaysia)
 Aims of ASA
1. To promote friendly cooperation in
economic, social, cultural and scientific
fields among member nations.

2. To provide educational, professional, and

technical training and research facilities in
their respective countries.

3. To help each other in the development of

their natural resources, trade, industries,
transportation and communication.
The ASA did not prosper due to the rise
of strained relations between the Phil.
And Malaysia, caused by the Phil.
claim over Sabah (North Borneo)
which is one of the component parts of
the Federation of Malaysia. It finally
ended in 1967 and was replaced by
the ASEAN.
 Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia
(MAPHILINDO)
• On June 22, 1962, the Phil. officially notified Great
Britain of its claim to Sabah (North Borneo), a rich
territory which was leased by Sultan Jamalul
Kiram on Jan. 22, 1878, to British North Borneo.

• The British government ignored the Phil. claim

and rushed the formation of the Federation of
Malaysia which consisted of Malaya, Singapore,
Sarawk and Sabah.
• This federation was inaugurated in Kuala Lumpur on
Sept. 16, 1963.

• Pres. Sukarno of Indonesia was hostile to the

formation of the federation of Malaysia because he
believed that this new Malayan nation would
perpetuate British imperialism in SEA.

• The Phil. also opposed the creation of the Federation

of Malaysia because the territory of Sabah which it
claimed was made a part Malaysia.
• Pres. Sukarno was ready to fight Malaysia and
in fact he mobilized the Indonesian Armed forces
to prepare for war.
• Worried by the growing crisis in SEA, Pres.
Macapagal called a Manila Summit Conference
from July 20 – Aug. 5, 1963 which was attended
by the three leaders (Rahman, Sukarno, &
Macapagal)
• This Conference eased the tension in SEA and
led to the establishment of the MAPHILINDO, a
loose confederation of Malaysia, the Phil., and
Indonesia.1
 Aims of MAPHILINDO
(Manila Declaration; Aug. 5, 1963)
1. To re-affirm their adherence to the principle of equal
rights and self-determination of people as stated in
the UN charter and the Bandung Declaration.

2. To unite in the common interest of their countries, to

maintain fraternal relations, strengthen cooperation
in terms of economic, social, cultural progress and
social well-being in the region, and to put an end to
the exploitation of man and one nation by another.
 Aims of MAPHILINDO
(cont.)
• That they shall combine their efforts in the common
struggle to eradicate colonialism and imperialism in
all forms and manifestations in the region.
• To cooperate in building a new and better world
based on national freedom, social justice and lasting
peace.
• To agree in holding frequent and regular
consultations at all levels to be known as
MUSHAWARAH MAPHILINDO.
 Sept. 16, 1963 – June 3, 1966
Diplomatic ties with the Philippines
and Malaysia were cut.
 Association of South East Asian
Nations (ASEAN)
• The effort of the SEA nations to “rise up
from the confines of their colonial past”
and to meet the challenge of the social,
economic and cultural conditions of the
region led to the founding of ASEAN.

• Aug. 8, 1967 – ASEAN formally

established in Bangkok, Thailand.
 Association of South East Asian
Nations (ASEAN)
• ASEAN DECLARATION were signed by
the foreign ministers of five countries.

• NON-POLITICAL Association

• For purposes of cooperation in matter of

cultural, social, economic and
administrative the member states consult
one another.
 Association of South East Asian
Nations (ASEAN)

• Although non-political, the ASEAN had

made political decisions such as the joint
recognition of the new government of
Kampuchea (Cambodia) and the
Democratic republic of Vietnam and the
cooperation in having a zone of peace,
freedom, and neutrality in SEA.
 Association of South East Asian
Nations (ASEAN)
• The ASEAN projects include:
– Commerce and industry
– Mass media
– Tourism
– Agriculture
– Civil air transportation and communication
– Social and cultural activities
5 Founding Fathers of ASEAN

1. Adam Malik - Indonesia

2. Tun Abdul Razak - Malaysia
3. Narciso Ramos - Philippines
4. S. Rajaratnam - Singapore
5. Thanat Khoman - Thailand
 Problems faced by ASEAN
countries in 1967
1. diverse political, economic, and social
system
2. rival ideologies and political alignments
3. economic protectionism
4. historical dispute
 ASEAN vision in 1967

“A prosperous and peaceful

community of SEA nations”
ASEAN Logo
• Ten sheaves of rice
stalks represent each
member country.

• Solidarity; peace;
prosperity

• Brown – strength &

stability; Yellow –
prosperity; Blue –
friendship.
 ASEAN COUNTRIES
• Philippines - 1967 • Brunei - 1984
• Malaysia - 1967 • Vietnam - 1995
• Indonesia - 1967 • Burma - 1997
• Thailand - 1967 • Laos - 1997
• Singapore - 1967 • Cambodia - 1999
 ASEAN DIALOGUE PARTNERS
• USA • India
• Japan • Australia
• China • New Zealand
• Russia • Rep. of Korea
• Canada • European Union
 Organizational Structure
• Summit meetings
• Ministerial conferences
• Standing committee
• Ambassadors conferences
• Permanent secretariat
• Member of other committees,
subcommittees and ad hoc groups
 THREE MAIN OBJECTIVES OF
ASEAN
• To promote the economic, social and
cultural development of the region through
cooperative programmes.
• To safeguard the political and economic
stability of the region against Big Power
Rivalry.
• To serve as a forum for the resolution of
intra-regional differences.
SUMMIT MEETINGS
• Indonesia - 1976
• Malaysia - 1977
• Philippines - 1987
• Singapore - 1992
• Thailand - 1995
 AIMS AND PURPOSES OF
ASEAN
• 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.
 AIMS AND PURPOSES OF
ASEAN (cont.)

• To promote regional peace and stability

through abiding respect for justice and the
rule of law in the relationship among
countries of the region and adherence to
the principles of the United Nation Charter.
 AIMS AND PURPOSES OF
ASEAN (cont.)
• To promote active collaboration and
mutual assistance on matters of common
interest in the economic, social, cultural,
technical, scientific and administrative
fields.
• To provide assistance to each other in the
form of training and research facilities in
the educational, professional, technical
and administrative spheres.