Final
Report: 41st SEAMEO Council Conference
The Swissotel the Stamford
Republic of Singapore
22-23 March 2006
The Swissotel the Stamford
Republic of Singapore
22-23 March 2006
Proceedings
Contents |
| Proceedings |
| Appendices |
Appendix
3.3 |
|
Keynote Address by H E Professor S Jayakumar Deputy Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for National Security, and Minister for Law, Singapore at the Opening Ceremony, 41st SEAMEO Council Conference Wednesday, 22 March 2006 at 9.00 am at Swissotel the Stamford, Singapore |
|
| Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, |
|
| 1. | First,
let me extend a warm welcome to all our distinguished guests and
participants at this morning’s opening ceremony of the 41st
SEAEMO Council Conference. |
| 2. | I
would also like to welcome the Democratic Republic of Tmor-Leste
as a new Member of SEAMEO. Timor Leste’s membership will enrich
SEAMEO’s cultural diversity and provide more opportunities
for cooperation. |
| Southeast Asia: Well Positioned for Growth | |
| 3. | Southeast
Asia is an economically and culturally
vibrant region with great potential for growth. In 2004, ASEAN countries
registered real GDP expansion of 6.1%, well above the global average
of 5.1%. Total trade exceeded US$ 1 trillion. Foreign Direct Investment
(FDI) into ASEAN reached US$ 25.1 billion in 2004, a 22% increase
over 2003. With its natural resources and a young and dynamic population,
ASEAN is well positioned for future growth. |
| 4. | Together
with the optimism for ASEAN’s future prospects, the vision
of a common community in Southeast Asia is beginning to take shape.
The theme of the 11th ASEAN Summit held in Kuala Lumpur last year,
“One Vision, One Identity, One Community” aptly describes
the strong commitment of the ASEAN Leaders, as well as its peoples
in facilitating greater ASEAN integration the decision to draft
an ASEAN Charter is an important step in this process. It will be
a key document enshrining the fundamental principles, goals, objectives
and structures of an integrated ASEAN community ready to face the
challenges of the future. |
| 5. | Southeast
Asia is strategically situated and well positioned to take advantage
of growth opportunities presented by the rise of China and India.
Southeast Asian countries have had long established historical ties
with China and India through trade and the movement of people. This
has resulted in a deeper cultural and social understanding of China
and India. Their languages are present in all ASEAN countries. In
Singapore, our official languages are English, Chinese, Malay and
Tamil – reflect the deep influences of not only Southeast
Asia but also India and China as well as the West. Strong ties and
close proximity to these ancient Asian civilizations are an advantage
for Southeast Asian countries as it allows our region to be the
gateway to these rising superpowers. |
| Southeast Asia: Integration for Harmony and Prosperity | |
| 6. | It
is through greater intra-regional cooperation that the Southeast
Asian region will integrate and grow in harmony and prosperity.
At present, “high-profile” forms of regional cooperation
are grabbing the media headlines – counter-terrorism, natural
disasters, disease pandemics, economic integration, trade enhancement,
etc. however, the good news is that other less high-profile cooperation
are making progress quietly, focusing on education and people-to-people
links, and they are equally vital to regional integration. |
| 7. | To
this end, the ASEAN Leaders at the KL Summit last year instituted
the ASEAN Education Ministers Meeting as a regular ASEAN meeting
and the ASEAN Education Ministers had a very productive first meeting
last evening. The establishment of the ASEAN Education Ministers
Meeting is indeed timely. Education is essential to promote an ASEAN
Socio-Cultural Community, one of the three pillars of the larger
ASAN Community. ASEAN Education Ministers have an important role
to play in generating ideas and providing feedback to the ASEAN
Leaders, through the annual Summit, on how education in the region
can be improved and enhance regional integration and understanding. |
| Education in Promoting Regional Understanding | |
| 8. | Education
is not merely about book-learning or picking up work-related skills.
It must inculcate in our young people the core values that lie at
the heart of our societies and that underpin the peace and stability
of our region. Foremost among these values is respect and understanding
of other’ culture, heritage and religion. As sad developments
in other parts of the world have shown, insensitivity and ignorance
of different cultures and religions can create controversies and
provoke violent reactions from ethnic communities. |
| 9. | We
need to make the racial, cultural and religious diversity within
our societies, and across ASEAN, into a source of strength. Whether
we succeed depends on how we go about it. If we consciously reach
out to each other across race, culture and religion, and if we actively
seek to expand the space that we share as a region and society,
in school and at work, we can celebrate our diversity instead of
it being divisive. |
| 10. | For
this, education plays an important role. Schools and educational
institutions are places where our young spend a substantial part
of their formative years. Values, morals and ethics are learned
and shaped during these critical years. Thus, schools and educational
institutions can help our young to develop the right attitudes and
understanding towards the different ethnic and cultural groups in
our society and the region. Collaborations among schools and educational
institutions from different countries in ASEAN and beyond can be
a part of this important process. Activities, such as student camps,
friendly sports competitions, immersion programmes, joint projects,
can help to build up friendships and understanding among students
from different countries, from young. |
| SEAMEO’s Role in Promoting Regional Understanding | |
| 11. | Over
and above the efforts of national educational institutions, SEAMEO,
as a regional body, can also play an important role in promoting
greater understanding and harmony in the region. |
| 12. | Since
its establishment more than 40 years ago, SEAMEO’s success
has been based on a spirit of cooperation, mutual understanding
and respect among Member and Associate Member Countries. Over the
years, this spirit has manifested itself through the many training
programmes and projects organized by the network of centres under
SEAMEO. This has helped to raise the education standards of Member
Countries, which in turn, has contributed to the economic development
of the region. More importantly, tens of thousands of students,
teachers and officials have benefited from a better understanding
of the Southeast Asian region through interactions with other participants
in SEAMEO programmes. |
| 13. | As
a regional educational organization, SEAMEO is well placed to promote
the social and economic development of the region and foster greater
regional understanding. It should continue to capitalize on its
strong foundation and further build upon its network of relationships
to help bring about greater stability and development in the region. |
| Conclusion | |
| 14. | Finally,
I wish you fruitful discussions during the Conference and that you
find your stay in Singapore pleasant. |
| 15. | Thank you. |
