March 10, 2007
a. What is your understanding of how regional integration is done in ASEAN countries? How do you feel about it?
1. Regional integration in ASEAN is being done, but the big corporations are the ones who benefit most from the process, to the disadvantage of the small farmers and producers. Regional integration in ASEAN primarily aim to open our markets to other powers.
2. Regional integration can have several advantages:
-it can promote competition among countries; those underdeveloped will be enforced to improve
-it can promote the region’s stand vs. other groupings
b. What are your comments and concerns on this kind of regional integration? Is this good or not? Why?
Regional integration can be good; it can be bad. It can be good if it results in good policies; bad if it does not promote equal advantages for the countries involved.
c. Should ASEAN countries be regionally integrated? Why or why not? If so, how should they be integrated, hearing in mind the experiences of other continental regions?
ASEAN countries should be regionally integrated — it’s about time. But the process should consider the following:
1. more power should be given to farmers’ groups; we should be able to influence and participate in policy-making processes, both at the national and regional levels. For this, we have to build the capacities of farmers’ groups to the governments
2. need for a transparent process
3. there must be a subsidizing mechanism like the CAP of EU
4. integration must be a collaboration of government, private sector ,grassroots groups, including farmers’ groups, and other civil society organizations
5. must be pursued, but based on common interests, common principles, mutual benefits, and mutual respect
6. should enhance voice of small countries
7. integration must start with sub-region cultures first – understanding each other; promoting common language (Malay language for Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines)
8. implement common projects and programs, share information and resources
9. should be pursued in all aspects, not only in industry or post-industry, but also in other important ones, i.e. Agriculture, economy, etc.
Comments are closed