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If there are two aspects that could drive ASEAN forward, it would be

innovation and accommodation. Innovation through Science and Technology
(STI) R&D would spur growth, leading to sustainable prosperity in the region

and thereby bringing a general sense of happiness among its people. Through
accommodation, we would learn to respect others’ cultures, ideas, and beliefs.

ASEAN, which still remains top-down or inter-governmental, is perceived as
needing to reach out to the people. The genuine involvement of CSOs plays an

important role here, otherwise the idea of a people-centred ASEAN would

remain more rhetorical than a reality. Community-building should remain an
ongoing process, and the ASCC Blueprint 2025 is undoubtedly a guiding light

for the next decade and beyond.

References

 ASEAN Secretariat (2013). Framework Agreement for Cooperation
between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and The United
Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation. Retrieved
from http://www.asean.org/storage/images/2013/socio_cultural/asean-
unesco%20fac-
%20final%20text%20formatted%20for%20signing__.pdf
 ASEAN Secretariat (2016a). 2015 ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community
(ASCC) Scorecard, 1-60. Retrieved from
http://www.asean.org/storage/2016/04/9.-March-2016-2015-ASCC-
Scorecard-1.pdf
 ASEAN Secretariat (2016b). ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community
Blueprint 2025: Jakarta: Author, 2016a. Implications of the Urban
Landscape Commission, I. C. a. D.-E. (2017). Human Learning
Centers. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/tags/humana-
learning-centres_en
 European External Action Service (2017a). ASEAN-EU Plan of Action
2018-2022 - EEAS - European External Action Service - European
Commission. Retrieved from
https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-
homepage_en/30781/ASEAN-EU Plan of Action 2018-2022

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