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Asian ministers agree on use of ICT for expanded inter-ASEAN+3 cultural exchange
inisters of member-countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) responsible for Culture and Arts (AMCA) have agreed to enhance ASEAN cooperation in the areas of culture and arts focusing on human resources development and the protection, preservation and promotion of ASEAN cultural heritage.
In a joint statement following a two-day meeting March 25 and 26 in Pampanga province, northwest of Manila, the AMCA also recognized culture as closely linked with information and communications technology (ICT) and suggested close collaboration on this aspect with Dialogue Partners.
The AMCA Plus 3 (AMCA+3) was simultaneously held with AMCA. The Fourth ASEAN Festival of Arts, also held as an adjunct activity, was organized under the patronage of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. The ASEAN ministers said in their joint statement that as the region’s citizens face economic downturn and climate change disasters, its arts and cultural symbols can be tools for confidence-building, strengthening and nourishing “the memory of kinship among ASEAN peoples to triumph over adversity.”
To maintain and preserve our unique and diverse culture amidst the forces of globalization and to fast track our goal to forge one caring, sharing ASEAN Community, the Ministers pledged to "project, disseminate and develop our unique cultural identity as a creative policy for sustainable tourism by harnessing youth, the resources and expertise of artists in the wise use of media content with the latest forms of communication technology."
They identified ICT forms to include digital, cinema, broadcast, webcast, podcast and linked portals that would encourage new routes of artistic expression from ancestral roots.
Labrador noted in her opening address the ministers’ commitment to forge a strong regional identity for ASEAN, and pledged that “the Philippines will think and act ASEAN, placing the well being, livelihood and welfare of the people at the center of the ASEAN Community building process.”
Labrador pointed out that the building process include underscoring the importance of incorporating the cultural ingredient in disaster management and emergency response, as well as dynamically applying wealth of cultural diversity to help achieve the UN Millennium Development Goals.
The Ministers noted the entry into force of the ASEAN Charter on December 15, 2008, and the ongoing implementation of the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) Blueprint, ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Blueprint, ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Blueprint and Initiative for ASEAN Integration Work Plan 2, which would enable the building of an ASEAN Community (2009-2015).
During the two-day meeting in Pampanga, the “Best of ASEAN Performing Arts” series by each ASEAN member was hailed as a “resounding success” and deemed as “an excellent example of promoting and inculcating appreciation of the rich cultural heritage of the ASEAN Community.” The Ministers recommended that the series be developed as a program for bridging cultures among ASEAN member-States, to be organized as an annual event, and be expanded to include theatre, music, art and crafts. Eventually, the Plus Three Countries should be able to participate, they suggested.
As to the Fourth Meeting of AMCA+3, the Ministers noted the steady progress achieved in the ASEAN Plus Three collaboration in cultural related areas. They also noted the decision from the 12th ASEAN Plus Three Summit and the Guidelines for the Implementation of the Second Joint Statement on East Asia Cooperation and the ASEAN Plus Three Cooperation Work Plan along with establishment of the ASEAN Plus Three Fund (APTF).
China emphasized the need to promote cooperation between ASEAN+3 in cultural industries, the development of cultural human resources, and in expediting the formulation of China-ASEAN cultural cooperation program. In the perspective of realizing a peaceful and prosperous East Asian Community, Japan emphasized three essential areas: people to people exchanges, human resource development, and protection of cultural heritage, in order to promote cooperation on culture and arts in ASEAN+3.
The Ministers encouraged further involvement of Plus Three Countries with ASEAN member-States through collaborative projects and activities, and welcomed the prospect of an ASEAN+3 Work Plan. The Grand ASEAN Gala Show was aimed at promoting the ASEAN common identity and its visibility as well as celebrating cultural diversity in ASEAN. Each country showcased its best plays, exhibits, dance performances, musical shows, films or books. The show involved more than 2,000 artists and performers, school groups, dance troupes, and paintings that manifested the fusion of social concern in their varied artistic presentations.
"To maintain and preserve our unique and diverse culture amidst the forces of globalization and to fast track our goal to forge one caring, sharing ASEAN Community, the Ministers commits to project, disseminate and develop our unique cultural identity as a creative policy for sustainable tourism," they said. As the host venue for the 4th AMCA meeting, Clark in Angeles City was designated as the inaugural ASEAN City of Culture, a concept adopted at the Third AMCA Meeting in Myanmar in 2008. The next AMCA and AMCA +3 Meetings are scheduled in 2012 in Singapore. (PNA)
Via - Balita