Vol. 2, September 1997

Functional cooperation Climbs to a new level

AFTER THIRTY YEARS

WHEN THE FOUNDING FATHERS OF ASEAN signed the Bangkok Declaration some 30 years ago, they already had Functional Cooperation in mind, without using the term, Functional Cooperation was enshrined in that document as co- operation "to accelerate... social progress and social development," as collaboration in the "social, cultural, technical, scientific and administrative fields," and as mutual assistance in training and research "in the educational, professional, technical and administrative spheres." One of the objectives of ASEAN, as stated in that document, is the promotion of "Southeast Asian studies."

In the 30 years since then, Functional Cooperation has grown to cover a broad range of activities that are neither strictly economic nor political but are vital to development. Their basic aim is to help secure the conditions under which some 500 million Southeast Asians can enjoy a progressively higher standard of living. At the Fifth ASEAN Summit in Bangkok in December 1995, Functional Cooperation was formally elevated to the same level as that of Political and Economic Co- operation in order "to bring shared prosperity to all its members.'

Accordingly, the Plans of Action for Functional Cooperation Activities were given a sharper focus. Medium Term Programmes were drawn up on the basis of these Plans of Action. And at the 2811 Ministerial Meeting in Jakarta, ASEAN adopted a theme for its Functional Co- operation: "Shared prosperity through human development, technological competitiveness and social cohesiveness." Functional Cooperation pursued within the framework of this theme is envisioned to lead to the development of a caring, cohesive and technologically competent society that can meet the challenges and opportunities of the 21 It century.

Science and Technology

Activities coordinated by the Committee on Science and Technology (COST) emphasize private sector initiatives and the commercialization of the results of scientific research. Supporting these activities is the ASEAN Science Fund which was established with member country. In December 1990, New Zealand added NZ$l00,000 (US$ 58,278) to the Fund.

The work of the COST covers food science and technology, meteorology and geophysics, microelectronics and information technology, materials science and technology, biotechnology, non-conventional energy research, marine sciences and science and technology infrastructure and resource development. It has successfully implemented projects in the development of snack foods, soy milk, soy milk powder and the improvement of fermentation processes in soy sauce production.

It is also conducting researches on the use of biomass for heat and power, conservation technology, coal technology and the commercial use of water pumping technologies,

The Committee disseminates the results of its researches and encourages ASEAN scientists to share their own findings through the "Journal of Science and Technology for Development." Its Sub- Committee on Non-Conventional Energy Research publishes its own newsletter.

Social Development

The ASEAN Committee on Social Development (COSD) coordinates activities in education, health and nutrition, labour, natural disasters, women and youth.

In education, the focus is on manpower development, teacher education, education systems development and special education. In health and nutrition, the thrusts are on nutrition, mental health, primary health care, diabetes prevention and control of pharmaceuticals. In labour, the Committee has developed mechanisms for coordinating ASEAN positions on labour matters, particularly international labour issues.

ASEAN cooperation on natural disasters is focused on those that cut across national boundaries. To dismantle barriers to women's participation in development, the Committee pursues an ASEAN Women's Programme on the problems of illiteracy, lack of technical skills, poor nutrition and ill health and strenuous work loads specially among rural women. The Committee also has a set of programmes focused on the youth, Population programmes, including training programmes for population control and the development of a population information network, are also being carried out by the Committee.

At the Singapore Summit of 1992, the ASEAN Leaders decided to expand Southeast Asian Studies, strengthen the ASEAN network of educational institutions, enhance the role of women in development, encourage NGOs to get involved in ASEAN Functional Cooperation, and implement programmes to curb the spread of AIDS.

Illicit Drugs Use and Traffic For its fight against drug abuse and illicit traffic, ASEAN has established the ASEAN Training Centre for Preventive Drug Education in the College of Education in the University of the Philippines, the ASEAN Training Centre for Narcotics Law Enforcement in Bangkok, the ASEAN Training Centre for Treatment and Rehabilitation in Kuala Lumpur and the ASEAN Training Centre for the Detection of Drug Abuse in Body Fluids, in Singapore.

The narcotics control agencies of the ASEAN countries exchange information on drug abuse and illicit traffic, including the modus operandi of drug traffickers.

Culture and Information

Through the Committee on Culture and Information (COCI), the region's artists and mass media professionals have helped foster friendship and a sense of ASEAN identity among the peoples of the region,

The Agreement for the Promotion of Cooperation in Mass Media and Cultural Activities, signed by the ASEAN Foreign Ministers in 1969, has made possible the implementation of such projects as the ASEAN Film Festival, the exchange of radio and television personalities and the production of audio-visual materials on the region.

At the Bali Summit in 1976, the Declaration of ASEAN Concord spelled out the framework of ASEAN Cooperation in Culture and Information. In 1978, the ASEAN Cultural Fund was established with Japan providing an endowment fund of five billion yen (about US$24 million at that time). The interest earnings support COCI projects.

The ASEAN News Exchange (ANEX) link the national news agencies of the Member Countries with one another.

The Committee is now studying the feasibility of an ASEAN satellite TV channel and the expansion of the ASEANWEB to include sites for culture and information.

The Environment

Since 1981, ASEAN has dealt with a wide range of environmental concerns by pursuing an ASEAN Environmental Programme (ASEP) that covers environmental management, nature conservation and terrestrial ecosystems, seas and marine environment, transboundary pollution, environmental economics and environmental information and education.

Projects include anti-pollution technologies for urban and rural areas, technology transfer on the treatment of effluents from palm oil and rubber industries, training programmes for science teachers and supervisors, and the management of hazardous waste.

At the Summit Meeting of 1992, ASEAN pledged, through the Singapore Declaration, "to play an active part in protecting the environment by continuing to cooperate by promoting the principle of sustainable development and integrating it into all aspects of development."

ASEAN's greatest endeavour at protecting and enhancing the environment today is the Mekong Basin Development Cooperation.

Vision 2020

A set of vision statements are being prepared to guide ASEAN Functional Co- operation for the next 30 years.