Jakarta, 24 May 2016—The Human Rights Resource Centre, with the support of ASEAN Foundation, the Japan-ASEAN Solidarity Fund, Bahá’í International Community, East West Center, WSD Handa Center for Human Rights and International Justice, and Universitas Indonesia will convene a civil society consultation to engage spiritually inspired groups in achieving the goals set out in ASEAN 2025 Blueprints.
The conference, to be held in Bangkok on 26 and 27 May 2016, will bring together 30 representatives across Southeast Asia representing spiritual communities, faith-based organizations, and higher institutions. The event will feature prominent and highly knowledgeable speakers including former ASEAN Secretary-General H.E. Amb. Ong Keng Yong, Mr. Lee Yoong Yoong, the Director of Community Affairs Directorate of the ASEAN Secretariat, former AICHR Representative for Thailand Dr. Sriprapha Petcharamesree, as well as representatives from the Global Movement of the Moderates Foundation and Religion for Peace Japan. The speakers will provide presentations on important topics, ranging from the history of ASEAN and its aspiration to establish One Vision, One Identity, and One Community, the values underlying the ASEAN integration, to concrete examples of spiritually inspired values and practices that contribute to peace.
Workshop-style discussions will explore fundamental concepts found in the ASEAN Charter such as unity in diversity and shared prosperity, and allow participants to share their experiences in promoting peace and prosperity. Participants will also be invited to consider how they, in their respective roles, can contribute to the goals of the three ASEAN Pillars.
The findings from the conference will be presented in late June 2016 to the ASEAN Committee of Permanent Representatives and other relevant ASEAN organs, with the expectation that this will facilitate further engagement between ASEAN and spiritually inspired groups.
For more information, please contact Paula Luciana at info@hrrca.org.
