Regional unity in ASEAN can grow through shared values like religiosity, humanitarianism and cultural expression

01 Jul 2025

This paper explores how ASEAN identity among Southeast Asia countries can be realized by applying the concepts of “shared cultural heritage” and “socio-cultural solidarity.” It analyzes how regional cohesiveness can develop through common emphasis on historical, social and cultural bonds among the ASEAN member states manifested through religiosity, nationalism, humanitarianism, cultural expressions, regionalism and futurism. Moreover, initiatives and cultural policies that promote mutual understanding, respect for cultural diversity, and the building of collective projects that reinforce the notion of an ASEAN identity are considered within the analysis. By providing illustration as to how the concepts of “shared cultural heritage” and “socio-cultural solidarity” serve the foundation toward the construction of a conscious ethos geared toward establishing a common future based on diversity in the Southeast Asian region, this paper argues that the ASEAN identity is constructed via strong national selfhood and regional cultural ties. The implication drawn from this this paper’s proposal is that having a common or shared identity, or a cultural consistency of the regional actors will most likely reduce conflicts or misunderstanding in the region, thus allowing them to achieve common goals.

The paper argues that ASEAN identity is not just symbolic but is actively constructed through regional discourse and conscious efforts to balance national and regional priorities. Key points include:

  1. Socio-cultural solidarity is essential for fostering a sense of belonging, mutual understanding, and unity in diversity among ASEAN members.
  2. Cultural heritage preservation plays a crucial role in tackling prejudice and ignorance, promoting awareness of the region’s shared and diverse histories.
  3. Top-down and bottom-up initiatives are necessary to ensure that ASEAN identity is not only institutional but also embraced by the people.
  4. Challenges to ASEAN identity include geopolitical shifts, intra-ASEAN tensions, and external influences like China, India, and global power rivalries.
  5. ASEAN vs. Southeast Asian identity: While ASEAN identity is institutional and political, Southeast Asian identity is historically and culturally rooted, making it potentially more resilient.
  6. The paper concludes that maintaining and reinforcing ASEAN identity is vital for regional stability and cooperation, requiring both governmental and societal engagement.

Author: Gerard Concepcion (Department of Filipino and Philippine Literature, UP Diliman)

Read the full paper: https://suvannabhumi.bufs.ac.kr/suvannabhumi/index.php?pCode=MN200005&mode=view&idx=678114

Regional unity in ASEAN can grow through shared values like religiosity, humanitarianism and cultural expression

This paper explores how ASEAN identity among Southeast Asia countries can be realized by applying the concepts of “shared cultural heritage” and “socio-cultural solidarity.” It analyzes how regional cohesiveness can develop through common emphasis on historical, social and cultural bonds among the ASEAN member states manifested through religiosity, nationalism, humanitarianism, cultural expressions, regionalism and futurism. Moreover, initiatives and cultural policies that promote mutual understanding, respect for cultural diversity, and the building of collective projects that reinforce the notion of an ASEAN identity are considered within the analysis. By providing illustration as to how the concepts of “shared cultural heritage” and “socio-cultural solidarity” serve the foundation toward the construction of a conscious ethos geared toward establishing a common future based on diversity in the Southeast Asian region, this paper argues that the ASEAN identity is constructed via strong national selfhood and regional cultural ties. The implication drawn from this this paper’s proposal is that having a common or shared identity, or a cultural consistency of the regional actors will most likely reduce conflicts or misunderstanding in the region, thus allowing them to achieve common goals.

The paper argues that ASEAN identity is not just symbolic but is actively constructed through regional discourse and conscious efforts to balance national and regional priorities. Key points include:

  1. Socio-cultural solidarity is essential for fostering a sense of belonging, mutual understanding, and unity in diversity among ASEAN members.
  2. Cultural heritage preservation plays a crucial role in tackling prejudice and ignorance, promoting awareness of the region’s shared and diverse histories.
  3. Top-down and bottom-up initiatives are necessary to ensure that ASEAN identity is not only institutional but also embraced by the people.
  4. Challenges to ASEAN identity include geopolitical shifts, intra-ASEAN tensions, and external influences like China, India, and global power rivalries.
  5. ASEAN vs. Southeast Asian identity: While ASEAN identity is institutional and political, Southeast Asian identity is historically and culturally rooted, making it potentially more resilient.
  6. The paper concludes that maintaining and reinforcing ASEAN identity is vital for regional stability and cooperation, requiring both governmental and societal engagement.

Author: Gerard Concepcion (Department of Filipino and Philippine Literature, UP Diliman)

Read the full paper: https://suvannabhumi.bufs.ac.kr/suvannabhumi/index.php?pCode=MN200005&mode=view&idx=678114