1. AUN Undergraduate ASEAN Studies
Civil Society in ASEAN
AUN Undergraduate ASEAN Studies

2. Learning Outcomes
By the end of the session the student must be able to:
define the concept of civil society and its significance in global and regional political discourse,
describe the diverse nature of civil society in ASEAN and the relationship of civil society organizations with the states,
express their own ideas about the role of civil society in the present and future ASEAN community

3. Key concepts
Civil society : the wide array of non-state actors that operate in the public sphere, particularly those working for the interests and values of their members or others, based on ethical, cultural, political, scientific, religious or philanthropic considerations. Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) - “community groups, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), labor unions, indigenous groups, charitable organizations, faith-based organizations, professional associations, and foundations”. (WB)

4. Social Movements: loosely organized collectives engaged in sustained campaigns in support of a social goal, typically either the implementation or the prevention of a change in society’s structure or values. Ex. Labor movement, women’s movement, civil rights movement Track 2 diplomacy: informal diplomacy, in which non-officials (academics, scholars, retired civil and military officials, public figures, and social activists) engage in dialogue, with the aim of conflict resolution or confidence-building

5. Key information content
(1)  What does the concept of ‘civil society’ refer to?
(2) Who comprises ‘civil society’ in the ASEAN regiont?
Why is there a growing interest by civil society in ASEAN affairs?
What role can civil society play in ASEAN cooperation and community building?
What are the prospects for State-civil society cooperation in ASEAN?

6. What does “civil society” refer to?
self-organized, voluntary, nonprofit and nonstate actors and organizations that operate in the public sphere
Also called “third sector” in relation to the “State” and “Market”
Key Characteristics
Autonomy: self-governed, independent from the State
Voluntary: self-organized
Focused on public good: nonprofit

7. Common functions in society and State
educate citizens and raise awareness for greater popular participation
provide services to poor and marginalized
monitor and counter-balance against abuses by the state
mobilize financial and social resources for development
CSOs help introduce: innovation, accountability, responsiveness, participation, sustainability
CSOs are: conscience, social critics, reform proponents, voice

8. Criticisms of civil society
Lack in accountability whether to the State or public
Many are unstable and not professionally managed
Many are dependent on foreign funding
CSOs themselves are fragmented and hold different views regarding various issues

9. Re-emergence of CS Rapid economic development and rise of middle class
Recent trends in the globalization of norms – e.g. sustainable development, good governance
disappointment with political institutions seen as self-serving, corrupt, unresponsive
realization that challenges of development and governance are too complex for governments alone to undertake, and that CS members can have expertise, resources and networks to complement state programs

10. Who comprises ‘civil society’ in the ASEAN context?
Civil society and civil society organizations exist in all countries of ASEAN, but are less developed or influential in some than in others
Their role in society and influence on government depends on nature of the political and social system
Est. (c. 1999) 4,000-6,000 NGOs in Indonesia, 15,000 NGOs and POs in Phil, over 8,000 non- profit orgs. in Thailand; plus foreign foundations operating in other countries

11. 58 ASEAN-affiliated CSOs
Federation of ASEAN Public Relations Organizations (FAPRO)
ASEAN Confederation of Employers (ACE)
ASEAN Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ACCI)
ASEAN Law Association (ALA)
Committee for ASEAN Youth Cooperation (CAYC)
ASEAN Confederation of Women’s Organisation (ACWO)

12. ASEAN Council of Teachers (ACT)
ASEAN Business Forum (ABF)
ASEAN Non-Governmental Organizations for the Prevention of Drugs and Substance Abuse
ASEAN NGO Coalition on Ageing
Asian Partnership for Development of Human Resources in Rural Asia (AsiaDHRRA)
Southeast Asian Studies Regional Exchange Program (SEASREP) Foundation

13. Regional civil society networks
Among the major networks thus far are ASEAN-ISIS, APA, SAPA and the ASEAN Civil Society Conference
ASEAN-Institutes for Strategic and International Studies: think tanks (engaged in Track 2 diplomacy)
ASEAN People’s Assembly: conference of NGOs organized by ASEAN-ISIS
Solidarity for Asian People’s Advocacy: development- oriented and advocacy NGO, PO network with broad geographic scope
ASEAN Civil Society Conference
ASEAN People’s Forum

14. Why is there a growing interest by civil society in ASEAN affairs?
Civil society organizations choose to engage ASEAN because (a) the creation of the ASEAN community will have significant regional impact, (b) ASEAN can be a platform for them to exercise both regional and national influence, (c ) CSOs recognize potential benefit of ASEAN for member-states including in increasing autonomy and bargaining power in the international arena.

15. ASEAN opening windows to CSOs
Purposes of the Charter
“To promote a people-oriented ASEAN in which all sectors of society are encouraged to participate in and benefit from, the process of ASEAN integration and community building.”
Emphasis on sharing and shaping of norms, to include democracy, good governance, human rights, fundamental freedoms

16. What role can civil society play in ASEAN cooperation and community building?
Southeast Asian CSOs have formed networks and forums to advocate regional concerns and interests vis-a-vis ASEAN.
Provide expert inputs for regional policymakers
Mobilize social resources for implementation of ASEAN programs
Engage in different areas of community building

17. ASEAN Economic Community
where the goal is to create a single market and production base, some possible roles are:
help sectors that are disadvantaged by integration and liberalization policies ;
ensure that free flow of labor does not lead to exploitation of migrants or human rights abuses;
see to it that economic growth is not attained at the expense of human development or the environment

18. ASEAN Political-Security Community
Where the goal is to create a peaceful, democratic, and harmonious region where members do not solve their disputes by using force, CSOs can:
help promote popular participation,
fight corruption in government;
educate people about human rights, rule of law,
build support for peaceful conflict resolution,
cooperate with government to reduce transnational crime, trafficking in drugs and human beings, extremism.

19. ASEAN socio-cultural community
For the goals to alleviate poverty, promote education, decent employment, health, environmental sustainability; CSOs can
help to close the development gap within ASEAN through mutual assistance and cooperation;
Help build to build an ASEAN identity.
Build regional cooperation networks to improve services for the poor, illiterate, sick, and other vulnerable sectors;
Promote gender, ethnic, racial, religious, and other forms of equality; cooperate for development of human resources through training, education, technological assistance; regional initiatives in disaster relief, promote people to people linkages including youth, media, NGOs

20. ASEAN guidelines on CSO cooperation
Those organised to promote, strengthen and help realise the aims and objectives of ASEAN cooperation in the political, economic, social, cultural, scientific, medical and technological fields, may be affiliated to ASEAN.
working link with the Secretariat shall allow the CSOs to submit written statements to include proposals or positions and other recommendations.
The main objectives of affiliation are to draw the CSOs into the mainstream of ASEAN activities so they are given the opportunity and the privilege of participating in ASEAN activities; to ensure interaction and fruitful relationships between the existing ASEAN bodies and the CSOs; and to help promote the development of a people-centered ASEAN Community.

21. As a general rule, only a CSO whose membership is confined to the ASEAN nationals may be considered for affiliation with ASEAN;
Approval of application for affiliation of a CSO with ASEAN shall be based primarily upon the assessment of the positive contribution which such a CSO could make to the enhancement, strengthening and realisation of the aims and objectives of ASEAN;
Affiliation status with ASEAN may not be granted to a CSO if it has objectives, activities or projects which are contrary to or inconsistent with the aims and objectives of ASEAN embodied in the Bangkok Declaration and the Declaration of ASEAN Concord;

22. The objectives of the CSO’s activities should contribute towards achieving community building that is in line with one or more of the three pillars of the ASEAN Community; and
A CSO whose membership comes from a relatively even spread of the ASEAN Member Countries may be allowed affiliation, provided that ASEAN is satisfied that the CSO merits affiliation and the non-participating Member Countries have given their consent to the CSO and provided further that membership shall remain open for other Member Countries

23. Suggested questions
Can ASEAN attain its objectives for the 3 pillars of community building without Civil Society participation?
What can ASEAN do to facilitate ‘mainstreaming’ of CSOs into its activities and programs?
What opportunities and challenges do you anticipate in State-Civil Society partnership in your respective countries?