This article was originally published by the ASEAN Secretariat
ASEAN Secretariat, 23 November 2009. Civil society organisations (CSOs), think tanks, universities and other national and regional stakeholders around the ASEAN region came together today to brainstorm on possible methods of engagement between these stakeholders and the ASEAN Governments.
Held in Jakarta, over three days, the symposium is designed to help in the development of a method for stakeholder engagement to support and further the process of realising the ASEAN Community. In particular, the method will support the building of a people-oriented and inclusive ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community pillar.
“This Symposium aims to design a system to facilitate CSO dialogue, conversation and interaction with the official process,” said Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr Surin Pitsuwan, in his Welcome Address. Referring to the ASEAN Charter, Dr Surin said that “building a harmonious community needs the involvement of all stakeholders.” Article 13 of the Charter calls for the promotion of a “people-oriented ASEAN in which all sectors of society are encouraged to participate in, and benefit from, the process of ASEAN integration and community building”.
Moderated by Mechai Viravaidya, founder and Board Chairman of the Population and Community Development Association of Thailand, the symposium also features speakers from the European Commission, the Norwegian Children and Youth Council and the Southern Africa Development Community Council of Non Governmental Organizations – organisations that have had experiences in successful methods of regional stakeholder dialogue.
The “ASEAN Secretariat Symposium on Methods of Stakeholder Involvement in Regional Organisations” is organised by the ASEAN Secretariat, in cooperation with the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES). The FES has worked in all ASEAN Member States and with governments, CSOs and other regional integration bodies.
AFA participated in this recently concluded symposium held on 23-25 November 2009 at the Hotel Gran Mahakam in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Comments are closed