To promote effective cooperation in the fields of culture and information for the purpose of enhancing mutual understanding and solidarity among the peoples of ASEAN as well as in furthering regional development.
(a) To develop and recommend policies and programmes for regional cooperation in the fields of culture, information and mass communication;
(b) To monitor and coordinate the implementation of approved activities of the Committee;
(c) To create such ad hoc technical or experts group when necessary, to plan execute and review approved activities or projects;
(d) To formulate, implement and review the approved projects for funding under the Agreement on the Establishment of the ASEAN Cultural Fund;
(e) To initiate and recommend to the appropriate ASEAN authorities cultural and information programmes and projects which require funding by the third countries and/or agencies.
COCI Organization
In 1985, the Committee formed four working groups to manage and implement its projects :
b. Working Group on Visual and Performing Arts
c. Working Group on Radio/Television and Films/Video ; and
d. Working Group on Print and Interpersonal Media
The Working Groups replaced the swelling number of ad hoc working groups, preparatory meeting, experts meetings, etc., which used up a sizable slice of the Cultural Fund.
As COCI's subsidiary bodies, the Working Groups meet at least once a year to discuss and formulate the theme, format, modalities and other details of projects. They are also required to render technical advice, coordinate and monitor the progress of approved projects under their respective program areas, and report to the Chairman of ASEAN-COCI and member countries regularly. The Working Groups are also required to evaluate the projects under their purview and make recommendations whether they are to be continued, merged with others, or dropped from the roster of projects.
Achievements
ASEAN activities in culture and information have been regarded as the most exciting and fulfilling. This is perhaps because of their nature and mass appeal. They have changed the image of ASEAN by bringing colour and gaiety o ASEAN cooperation. These activities have developed camaraderie and lasting friendship among many of ASEAN's creative artists, writers and journalists.
Through such activities, ASEAN's artists and mass media practitioners have been contributing their share in fostering the spirit of regional cooperation. Their participation has resulted in strong friendship links among their counterparts in the region and fostered a sense awareness and identity of ASEAN. The projects in culture and information have, no doubt, made an impact on the member countries particularly in the promotion of understanding, harmony and friendship.
Since its first meeting in 1978, COCI has conducted over tthree hundred cultural and information projects throughout the region. In 1994, COCI adopted a three-year Plan of Action for Culture and Information focusing on the following strategies: (1) promotion of ASEAN awareness; (2) development of source materials on culture for ASEAN studies; (3) development of human resources; (4) preservation and revitalization of cultural heritage; (5) utilization of information technology; and (6) the adoption of themes to maximize impact and inter-relate projects.
At the 30th anniversary of ASEAN in 1997, COCI reported that its projects have generally achieved its goals and objectives and that its numerous activities have radiated into a wide spectrum of friendly people-to-people interaction and contacts both at the professional and personal levels.
In more ways that one, COCI, has been instrumental in changing and enriching the lives of many people, bringing them closer together and enhancing their understanding of one another as well as each other's culture, customs and traditions.
Institutional Framework
In the broader context of the ASEAN organization, cooperation in culture and information operates along an institutional framework consisting of the Heads of State/Government or the ASEAN Summit, the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting, the Conference of ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Information, the ASEAN Standing Committee (ASC), the Committee on Culture and Information (COCI) and its Working Groups, the ASEAN Secretariat and its Functional Cooperation Bureau, and the ASEAN National Committees on Culture and Information of Member Countries.
Heads of Government
At the highest level is the Meeting of the Heads of Government of ASEAN member countries. These Summit Meetings are held regularly every three years in accordance with an agreement approved in Singapore in January 1992, to give direction to the Association. Informal summits are also held in between the regular summit meetings.
Since the formation of ASEAN, there have been five Summit Meetings: the Bali Summit in 1976, the Kuala Lumpur in 1977, the Manila Summit in 1987; the Singapore Summit in 1992; and the Bangkok Summit in 1995. The 6th Summit is scheduled in December 1998.
ASEAN Ministerial Meeting
The ASEAN Ministerial Meeting is a meeting among Foreign Affairs Ministers for the purpose of laying down the policies of the Association and discussing follow-up actions to implement the decisions of the ASEAN Summit and overseeing the implementation of such policies.
The AMN is convened annually in each of the six ASEAN countries on a rotational basis. At each meeting, the ASEAN Foreign Ministers formulate policy guidelines, review all ASEAN decisions and programs for implementation by the ASEAN Standing Committee and other ASEAN Committee and bodies. In addition to the regular AMM, special or additional meetings of Foreign Ministers are held when necessary.
ASEAN Standing Committee
Continuity between the ASEAN Ministerial Meetings is maintained by the ASEAN Standing Committee (ASC) headed by the Foreign Minister of the country hosting the Ministerial Meeting in a particular year with the Director-General of ASEAN National Secretariats as members.
The ASC carries out the work of the Association in between the AMMs. It handles matters relating to the ASEAN machinery, ASEAN'' external relations and non-economic activities, and oversees the work of the ASEAN Secretariat. The ASC considers the reports of COCI and passes upon all its recommendations.
Conference of the ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Information
There have been four Conferences of ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Information (AMRI). The first was held in Jakarta in 1989, the second in Kuala Lumpur in 1991, the third in Manila in December 1993 and the fourth in Singapore in March 1996. The First Conference agreed to enhance cooperation among the press and the electronic media of member countries, to advance the goals of ASEAN and promote the image of ASEAN in the region and internationally. At its Third Conference, the AMRI issued a Declaration to strengthen regional cooperation and collaboration in the field of information by adopting a framework for a plan of action, the elements of which have been incorporated as part of the Three-Year Plan of Action on Culture and Information.
ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Information
The ASEAN Senior Officials Meetings are held prior to the AMRI Meetings. The Senior Officials monitor the progress of the programs and recommendations that have been made by the ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Information.
The ASEAN Secretariat and its Functional Cooperation Bureau
The ASEAN Secretariat, based in Jakarta, was formally established by an agreement signed by the Foreign Ministers at the First ASEAN Summit in Bali in February 1976 to provide for greater efficiency in the coordination and implementation of decisions, projects and activities of various ASEAN organs. It serves as the central coordinating body for ASEAN projects and activities and as the channel of communication between the various bodies and committees of ASEAN, and between governments.
The Fourth Summit restructured the ASEAN Secretariat and broadened the powers of the Secretary General to initiate, advise and coordinate projects and activities. The 25th AMM signed a Protocol Amending the Agreement on the Establishment of the ASEAN Secretariat. The Protocol provided for an enhanced status and enlarged mandate of the Secretary-General of the ASEAN Secretariat who has been redesignated the Secretary-General of the ASEAN. He is appointed on merit for a renewable five-year term and accorded ministerial status. He is assisted by a professional staff openly recruited from member countries. There are four bureaus that carry out the work of the ASEAN Secretariat.
The Functional Cooperation Bureau of the ASEAN Secretariat covers activities in the fields of science and technology, environment, culture and information, social development, and drugs and narcotics control.
ASEAN National Committees on Culture and Information
Every member country of ASEAN maintains a National COCI which monitors and coordinates the implementation of projects and activities of COCI. Key institutions represented in these national committees are the ministries or agencies involved in information, arts and culture, education, language and literature, museums, libraries, archives, radio, television, film and other related areas. Each National COCI maintains its own technical secretariat.
The implementation of ASEAN culture and information projects is usually carried out by an agency or institution assigned by the National COCI of a member country. Most projects, being regional in character are closely coordinated among the National COCIs especially on matters concerning the technical, administrative and other arrangements made for the implementation of such projects.