“One Vision, One
Identity, One Community.”
-Association of
Southeast Asian Nations Motto
Asia is the largest continent
around the world. It is a diverse region of the globe. It is rich of different
histories, cultures, traditions and societies. Given those different roots
something big is coming in its southeast region by the year 2015. Such change
would revolutionize the international relations of the members of the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the aspects of economics
(trade and business), politics (security and defense) and society (education
and tourism/foreign relations) [1]. And such event would surely recreate the
geopolitical map of the region.
ASEAN was established and
founded on August 8, 1967 by its five forefathers (Foreign Ministers of
Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand) [2]. Its main goal
and advocacy is to establish a strong Southeast Asia in the aspects of
economics, politics and society. The organization aims to establish a
centralized trade system among the neighboring members and better job
opportunity for the foreign workers belonging to the member countries of the
organization, enhance defense security for area patrol around the area and
joint military enhancement programs, and increase student exchange programs and
integration of schools to the national standards. For almost 50 years, the
organization is doing what it can to
improve the region. Making it at its best and competitive for the whole world.
And as of today, it is now comprised of ten strong members (Brunei, Cambodia,
Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and
Vietnam) [3].
Such vision of the
organization aims to maximize the possible enhancement and development of the
country and the region. As of the Philippines position, this foreign political,
economical and social relation had helped the country for quite a while.
Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) get to have better benefits from the member
countries of the organization and they receive well treatment. On 2007, free
trade for some products and lesser tariffs are implemented to help businessmen
and entrepreneurs. Mutual military training and enhancement is exclusively
exercised between neighboring members. And lastly, increase of foreign student
enrollees signifies the improvement of the country’s education and
qualification to the international standards.
This foreign policy
constructed by the ASEAN for the coming 2015 is not just a mere event but a
long time process of improvement and development. The organization aims to
achieve progress of each and every member in a unified process. The organization
has always lived through its motto that the Southeast Asia region must have one
vision, one identity and one community to achieve further economical, political
and social improvements [4].
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