The 26th Meeting of the ASEAN-COCI held in CBE City, Philippines, 23-26 June 1992 adopted the recommendations of the Working Team of COCI Experts (which met in May 1992) concerning the programming of COCI projects, the frequency and timing of COCI meetings, publicity for COCI projects, project monitoring, the management of the ASEAN Cultural Fund and the commercial dissemination of COCI products.

In order to synchronise COCI activities with the Summit which is held every three years, the Working Teat-n of Experts agreed to adopt a three-year programming cycle for COCI projects. Accordingly, a programming exercise to define the global thrusts and p6orities of the COCI was planned in May 1993. The Working Team also initiated measures to improve the monitoring of projects and recommended that each project should receive greater publicity. To achieve greater public impact, it was suggested that COCI products, where appropriate, should be translated into the national language of a Member Country: that the mass media must be better utilized and that bigger projects with significant impact need to be considered.

Measures were also adopted to ensure that the disbursement and accounting of project funds will be managed responsibly. To facilitate the commercial dissemination of COCI products, guidelines recommended by the Second Meeting of the ASEAN Copyright Experts were adopted with relevant amendments.

At the 27th Meeting of the ASEAN-COCI. held in Singapore on I - 5 February, 1993. an ad hoc Task Force to Formulate the Global Thrusts and Priorities of the ASEAN-COCI was convened. The Task Force, guided by the Fourth Summit directives, recommended that all COCI projects focus on one or more of the following themes: environment, cultural traditions, women, children, drugs and AIDS. Activities selected were in promotion, training and development, research and documentation, conservation and revitalization. The Task Force also reaffirmed the need for closer coordination between COCI Working Groups. between COCI and the ASEAN Secretariat and other ASEAN Committees. The 27tll Meeting agreed to hold a Combined Meeting of the Working Groups, in May 1993. to further- discuss the Global thrusts and priorities.

The Combined Meeting Of tile Culture and Information Working Groups was held in Bali, Indonesia on 10 - 13 May 1993 to further develop the global and sectoral thrusts and priorities for 1994-1997. The meeting agreed that the following are the major concerns which COCI should address for its Three-Year Programme: inadequate publicity for COCI projects especially at the grassroots level and the need for more rigorous and pragmatic evaluation based on clear programme criteria.

The Combined Meeting adopted six broad strategic thrusts, namely, the promotion of ASEAN, development of source materials on culture for ASEAN studies, development of human resources, preservation and revitalization of cultural heritage, utilization of technology and the adoption of themes for its projects and activities. These themes, which are adapted from the priority areas of cooperation spelled out in the Fourth Summit, are environment, cultural heritage, women, children/youth, drugs and AIDS, social and economic integration. All COCI projects in the three- year programme cycle will focus their objectives on one or more of these themes. In addition, the Combined Meeting also recommended that projects should receive maximum public impact through closer and more effective coordination between the Information and Culture Working Groups.

A general review of COCI projects was also carried out by the Combined Meeting and the strengths and weaknesses of past programmes were noted. The culture and information sectors agreed to give emphasis to human resources development, the promotion of ASEAN awareness, research and documentation and the recognition of excellence in the fields of culture and information. The recommendations of the Combined Meeting will be considered by the 28th Meeting of COCI scheduled in Thailand on 16-21 August 1993.

A number of projects were completed during the period under review. Projects in literary and ASEAN studies completed during this period include the ASEAN Writers' Conference Workshop which was held on 3-9 December 1992. The Workshop was attended by writers from all Member Countries and discussed issues including the establishment of a translation bureau, an ASEAN library of language and literature, and a compilation of an anthology of ASEAN women writers.

A number of activities were also completed in the area of visual and performing arts. The Joint ASEAN Performing Troupe was completed in this period. The Third ASEAN Theater Festival was hosted by Thailand on 21-29 November 1992. This year's theme was "ASEAN Theatre: New Forms and Directions". Activities included theater performances from all Member Countries with each sending about 20 officials and cast, lectures on stage craft and theater productions, and discussions on directing, playwriting and acting. The Second ASEAN Composers Forum on Traditional Music was held on 11-24 April 1993 at the Centre for Music Activities in the National University of Singapore. It was attended by composers, ethno- musicologists and musicians with research backgrounds in Western and/or traditional music.

In the area of radio and television, the 6th ASEAN Festival of Songs was held in Bangkok on 3 - 12 May 1992. This year's theme was "Six in One Paradise". Activities ranged from a composer's workshop which completed the ASEAN Theme Song "ASEAN, We Are One" and a gala performance at the Thailand Cultural Centre on 12 May 1992.

The Seminar on Children and Television in the ASEAN region was held in Bogor, Indonesia on 21-25 September 1992. Several papers were presented and covered topics such as the impact of television on children, quality in children's programmes, and educational programming. Working Groups discussed a broad range of issues including ethical guidelines for children's television.

In the area of films/video, a preview of the documentary, "Film/Video Documentary on Investment Opportunities in the ASEAN Region" was held in Manila on 8-9 February 1993. The Conference Workshop on ASEAN Audio/Video and Film Retrieval, Restoration and Archiving was implemented on 11-16 January 1993. Attended by participants who are experts in film archiving and restoration, the meeting discussed training needs and film exchanges in the region and reviewed the latest technologies used in film archives.

The 4th ASEAN Film Week/Exchange was held in Bangkok on 19-25 April, 1993, attended by film personages comprising producers, directors, scriptwriters, archivists, exhibitors, distributors, film critics, actors and actresses. Films, documentary films, as well as country papers on future development, trends and prospects for the ASEAN film industry were presented for comments and exchange of views.

In the area of interpersonal media, the project, "ASEAN Attachment/ Exchange Programme for Information Officers" was completed in 1992. Each Member Country was represented by five information officers who were sent to each of the other five countries for attachment with radio/television stations, newspaper companies, academic institutions, private companies and regional information offices.

A number of COCI projects have been successfully implemented over the past year. Most notably, the COCI, guided by Fourth Summit directives, has completed a programming exercise to review its past activities, chart its future course and consider new priority themes for its programmes and activities.