ASEAN leaders are committed to the development of the Asean community. The goals of a united civilisation have been the aspirations of philosophers, scholars, leaders and religious gurus.
The Asean aspiration is not strange or uncommon. The Asean “dream” is not impossible to achieve as the American dream or the European Union pragmatism have been achieved gradually, overcoming obstacles. There will arise Asean leaders, like Martin Luther King Jr, who will say: “I have a dream, I have a dream, the Asean dream.”
Political and civil service leaders have articulated the desire for a united Asean as a dynamic region contributing to civilisation.
Now, other leaders must realise this mission. This realisation requires strategic mindset and plans to ensure the participation of Asean people in the march towards peace and prosperity.
Asean is a diverse region with many religions, ethnic groups, languages, cultures, histories and political systems.
Yet, there are commonalities that bind the pursuit of happiness, peace, development and rights.
Asean has articulated the Asean Way, the Asean spirit and the Asean dream with records of cooperation, collaboration, inspiration and pragmatism. The accomplishments are in politics, security, economics and social cohesiveness.
The education enterprise has to take the lead with other enterprises to create visions and develop perspectives to embrace regional and global issues.
Firstly, we can change our dependence on former colonial masters or superpowers to trusting and depending on Asean.
This change has to be followed by changes in other sectors of government, private sector, non-governmental organisations and civil society groups.
The most important initiative comes from the education sector.
Of the 630 million Asean citizens, most are schooled or educated, but not knowledgeable about their Asean neighbours.
They may know much about the histories, cultures, geography and economics of Western cultures, but they know little about their neighbours.
There will continue to be meetings between Asean leaders. Other leaders must work hard on the ground to generate plans, programmes and projects that involve all Asean citizens.
It is this hard work that links Asean people.
One goal is the Asean curriculum in education. The Asean Higher Education Area is being developed, much like the European Higher Education Area, and this will ensure that qualifications from Asean higher education institutions will be recognised.
Asean languages and literature will be highlighted.
Asean scientists will engage in scientific enquiry.
Asean leaders will eliminate poverty and disease, raise living standards and promote human rights.
There has to be a sense of urgency in inspiring the young to develop a global mindset with Asean perspectives. The next generation can contribute to the development of society.
The writer is president, Malaysian Association for Education