the presentation of the summary in Commemorative Forum of 30th SSEAYP, New Otani Hotel, Tokyo (photo: courtessy of Chris Rivero-PPY)
The Future Relations Among ASEAN Countries and Japan
The summary of all topics discussed in discussion activities during SSEAYP 2003.
Delivered in the Commemorative Forum of 3Oth SSEAYP, Tokyo, October 2003
This year, we celebrate the ASEAN-Japan year as well as the 30th year of the Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Programme, or SSEAYP. Hence, our theme of “ The Future Partnership Amongst Asean countries and Japan is both timely and important.
Briefly let me describe the discussion in the SSEAYP. The ship Nippon Maru has given us an ideal setting to share our views and to learn from those around us. Discussions have provided us an avenue for the participating youths to express their views freely on current and important issues and challenges and to provide possible solutions.To facilitate the proceedings of the discussion, the sub committee has divided the theme into six (6) subtopics, namely: culture, education, economics, environment, the role of youth and the 30th year of SSEAYP.
I will now proceed with the summary of each topic, beginning with culture.
Culture
On this topic, participants expressed increasing awareness of the diversity of cultures in existence within Japan. We examined our customs, fashions, rituals, cuisines, religions, and the arts, and observed that we are blessed with a rich and complex cultural heritage. However, the fabric of some cultures is under threat from globalization. Many teenagers can dance to discos or rap music, but cannot perform the traditional dances of their own countries.
Participants also noted that mass media and communication technologies had both positive and negative effects. The younger generation is fortunate to have ready access to a wide variety of newspapers, websites, news channel and other information tools. Nonetheless the spread of a uniform global culture can lead to the decline of the traditional values and customs. We realize that our cultures are valuable and must be protected, and that they can enhance the future partnership among ASEAN and Japan countries. The cultural diversities that ASEAN and Japan offer a great asset in promoting the region to other countries as tourist destination.
Furthermore, familiarity with each other’s practices will lead to a deeper appreciation of Asian models or standards that may serve us better, rather than blindly adopting Western concepts often misplaced for an Asian context.The following are some proposals for ASEAN-Japan cultural cooperation. We must increase and intensify cultural exchange programs, seminars and conferences. Mass media technologies can be exploited by broadcasting cultural programs focusing on ASEAN and Japan. Finally the establishment of jointly funded ASEAN-Japan cultural centers in each country will help coordinate the above activities.
Economics
On the economic issue, ASEAN countries and Japan have already established close ties. We are aware that Japan remains one of the biggest and trading partners of most ASEAN countries. Japan has played a big positive role in the industrialization of ASEAN countries through aid technology transfer and foreign direct investment.
As we become more interdependent and closely linked, events such as the 1997-1998 financial crisis will affect us a single entity. SARS also hindered business and investment decisions and partnership earlier this year. Confronted by a tougher global economy, ASEAN countries and Japan must enhance their economic and technical cooperation in order to sustain development. ASEAN countries are in need of technological transfer and capital infusion. In return, ASEAN countries can provide a valuable market fir Japanese manufactured goods. Furthermore, ASEAN is a valuable source of natural resources and an ideal location for Japanese companies to establish factories and outsource elements.
We still confront many economic problems like poverty, development gap, closed market and others. The successful negotiation of an ASEAN-Japan Free Trade Area would make the area more attractive as an investment zone, and it would reduce the cost for manufacturers and consumers. We stress that we value sustainable development which pays more attention to social development and environmental protection.
Finally, many participants realize that trade is an ideal way for countries to raise living standards and the welfare of their population.On the issue of environment, all of us agreed that environment is a matter that ASEAN countries and Japan relations must place great emphasis.
Environment
Environmental problems such as marine and air pollution are borderless. An oil spill off the coast of one country will affect all neighboring countries. Pollution causes health problems, renders the land unusable and costs government money to clean up. Hence, cooperation is needed to resolve these problems. While rapid industrialization has led to economic growth in the region, pollution is a negative side effect. Sustainable development and treating our forests, animals and seas as a treasure to be inherited by the next generation is far sighted policy we advocate.
ASEAN countries and Japan must also look at alternative use of energy and promote recycling, eco-tourism, exchanges of expertise, standardization of environmental policies, proper waste disposal, reforestation and others. Funding to support environmental management would sustain the growing youth environmental awareness among the ASEAN countries and Japan.
Education
On matter of education, we found that our educational systems are quite similar. Problems were cited concerning certain limitations in facilities and the competence of some of the teachers. Participants emphasized the importance of mass education and provision of free education for the needy.
Education, we firmly believe, must be relevant and accessible to everyone.In a shrinking world, we saw the need for the importance of teaching English, but with the condition that our own languages are also protected. This is the lingua franca of today, and even in Nippon Maru, most of us communicate to each other using English.
Schools must train students in IT and the internet must become part of the curriculum for all students. The existing framework of the ASEAN University Network must be expanded to include Japanese universities and deepen cooperation in more areas.
We would like to see further programs that deal with exchange of students among the ASEAN countries and Japan, the inclusion of subjects about ASEAN and Japan in the curriculum and additional scholarships for students.
The Youth Life
The youth of the different ASEAN countries and Japan are plagued with myriad of challenges. We have drugs, juvenile delinquency, poverty, unemployment, health problems, sex and labor exploitation among many others.
We propose that ASEAN countries and Japan must provide better programs for the youth, including facilities to cater to the youth’s interests, like sports and arts centers. Concrete national and regional holistic policies for the youth must be crafted.
Youth empowerment must be pursued beyond lip service for the passion and the energy of the youth can make important contributions to community and social service. We also propose websites by and for the youth of ASEAN countries and Japan to facilitate interaction. Corollary to that there should be more exchange programs for better understanding among the ASEAN countries and Japan.
The 30th Year of SSEAYP
Being participating youths of this program, we understand the value of this. SSEAYP in its 30 years have been successful in bringing future leaders of ASEAN and Japan closer. The Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program is unique. It has given us the chance to find unity within our diversity. We share the same dreams, we share the same problems, and more often than not we offer the same tentative solutions. Most importantly, during our time together, we have touched each other’s hearts and lives.
More than anytime in history, we are all in the same ship and we all paddle down the same stream. We live in an age of profound global change. ASEAN countries and Japan must act and advance together.
We sink or swim, we rise or fall, but never could we do everything alone. The future relationship lies on mutual respect and a common understanding of the challenges and prospects ahead.In closing, all the participating youths are excited to forge ahead knowing that our relationship has been galvanized by our time on board the Nippon Maru and in Japan. An investment n today’s youth is a sound investment for the present and the future.
singing a beautiful song of friendship that was written by Jasper Ian Gonzales-PPY
