CULTURAL DIPLOMACY IN ASEAN - A BEACON OF HOPE FOR INTERCULTURAL PEACE AND COOPERATION?

''The great divisions among humankind and the dominating source of conflict will be cultural”, Huntington (in)famously predicted in his “Clash of Civilization” thesis in 1993, following the end of the Cold War. At first glance, the idea that different civilizations are destined to clash - particularly between the West and Islam - appear to be vindicated, such as by the Iraq War, the 2015 Migration Crisis, and the election of Donald Trump. The rising populist movements in the West against multiculturalism and cosmopolitanism seem to suggest there cannot be inter-civilizational harmony and collaboration.

Yet, could the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) be the exception? Early predictions were gloomy, such as that Southeast Asia would become the “Balkans of Asia”, according to Charles Fisher, a British geographer, in 1962. He alluded to the likelihood of systemic violent ethnic conflict in the region, due to it being even more culturally diverse than Yugoslavia. Southeast Asia has five major religions, and hundreds of languages and ethnic groups. However, Muslims live peacefully amongst non-Muslims, and Southeast Asia has more Muslims as a percentage compared to other regions outside the Middle East.

For instance, in Indonesia, the world’s most populous Islamic country, Muslims live harmoniously alongside Hindu-majority Bali. Although there is inter-ethnic conflict in Indonesia, levels have fallen since its successful democratic transition, and a culture of tolerance and inter-ethnic cooperation prevails. Additionally, in Thailand, Chinese and Indian influences co-exist peacefully. Indian influence is alive in its arts, philosophy, writing system and religion, yet many Thais who have Chinese ancestry have accepted this and successfully assimilated into society.

Successful cultural diplomacy is key to Southeast Asia’s intercultural peace and stability. Cultural diplomacy can be defined as “a course of actions that are based on and utilise the exchange of ideas, values and other aspects of culture or identity, whether to strengthen relationships, enhance socio-cultural cooperation, promote national interests and beyond; Cultural diplomacy can be practiced by either the public sector, private sector or civil society.” Cultural diplomacy has been materialising in the region for centuries - initially informally through means such as trade, migration, and the arts - but it has become increasingly institutionalised and formalised following the establishment of ASEAN.

Common fear keeps ASEAN together. In the midst of the Cold War, the fear of communism - which threatened the countries’ identity, leadership and future - played a major role in the creation of ASEAN. This shared fear generated solidarity and stronger security, political and economic cooperation. Their collaboration during the Cold War fostered increasing trust and comradeship between members, helping to overcome differences and tensions between countries. This may explain why no two countries have waged war against each other since its founding. This has helped pave the way for the establishment of the ASEAN Charter in 2008 and further regional collaboration in areas ranging from health and education, to environment and defence. According to George Yeo in the Bonsai, Banyan and the Tao, the fear of being dominated by a major power - such as China, Japan, India or the US - also helps keep it together.

Multilateralism is prevalent, and is strengthening bonds between countries and promoting national as well as regional interests. For instance, In The ASEAN Miracle, Kishore Mahbubani brings attention to how cooperation between trade ministers and officials have created peer-pressure for countries to adopt free market orientated policies. This has pulled countries closer to the same economic system and values. Coupled with policies aimed at increasing access to education, it has led to a rapid expansion in the labour force and rising FDI. This has helped make Southeast Asia one of the fastest growing markets in the world - its GDP has increased from US$577 billion in 1999 to US$9.34 trillion in 2019, roughly a sixteen-fold increase. ASEAN is part of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which was signed in November 2020. It includes almost one-third of the global population and is projected to add US $186 billion to the global economy, and quicken regional integration and trade liberalisation in Asia. According to Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, the RCEP marks “a victory of multilateralism and free trade”, which appeared to be on retreat during Trump’s presidency.

8102 ,keew larurtluc NAESA ta sredael yrtnuoC

.NAH-NIM EEL YB SOTOHP .KRAP ACISSEJ YB NETTIRW

In addition to multilateralism, the state can also

intercultural harmony. Yeo attributes government play an important role in maintaining intervention as one of the major reasons behind and multi-racial city, after having experienced Singapore’s success as a peaceful multicultural race riots in 1964.

Including discouraging Christian missionaries from attempting to convert Muslims to

requesting mosques to keep the speakers used for the call to prayer at a low volume;

and banning Chinese temples from burning super-large joss sticks, to arresting those

who incite racial and religious hatred. Yeo recognises that this may be deemed illiberal,

but affirms that this policy receives support from an “overwhelming majority” of

Singaporeans.

The actors and mediums for cultural diplomacy has been formally institutionalised

through the creation of ASEAN Ministers Responsible for the Culture and Arts have directed the Strategic Plan for Culture and Arts 2016-2025 which aims at building (AMCA) and ASEAN Committee on Culture and Information (ASEAN COCI). They

a deeper sense of regional community and inclusive culture through a multi-

stakeholder approach. The facilitation of intercultural dialogue through various

channels enhances mutual understanding and friendship between nations, and can

prevent violent extremism. Most notably, people-to-people exchanges, and

collaboration on events and products between different industries, ranging from the

creative to tech sector. It has also included the development of school programs and

online platforms that spread awareness and appreciation of commonalities in culture

and values. Additionally, current initiatives include the ASEAN City of Culture,

ASEAN Best of Performing Arts, Heritage in ASEAN, and ASEAN-Dialogue Partner

Cultural Exchange Year.

Cultural diplomacy through multilateralism could be replicated elsewhere. Institutions and organisations aimed at facilitating intercultural dialogue and understanding can be established not only at a regional level, but also globally. If a multi-stakeholder approach is taken, it could help breakdown barriers, and lead to greater intercultural harmony and tolerance internationally. Mahbubani argued that the EU could learn from ASEAN in the geopolitical dimension. For instance, he asserted that an approach of engagement rather than exclusion and sanctions towards adversarial states is more effective in changing their behaviour. ASEAN’s engagement and eventual acceptance of Myanmar as a member in 1997 was instrumental in beginning its peaceful transition away from a military regime. And in building more cordial relations and cooperation across the region. In contrast, US and EU sanctions against Syria led to war.

However, current practices of cultural diplomacy in Southeast Asia is far from perfect in achieving its desired goals. For instance, it continues to be directed at a largely top- down process, meaning there is a far stronger sense of community and identity amongst statesmen and officials rather than the general population. A significant proportion of the general populace remain ignorant about the organisation, and are more concerned with their “safety and sustenance”, rather than “a lofty political and economic bloc”.

Additionally, many are not knowledgeable about the histories of the region, and what they know about ASEAN comes from an often skewed coverage by Western media. Hence, more work needs to be done to allow for citizens to feel a stronger sense of belonging and ownership of ASEAN. Additionally, the lack of enforcement mechanisms of decisions in the organisation is a significant structural impediment to cultural diplomacy’s success in the region.

Naturally, the region faces many challenges. Sino-US tensions threaten its unity, and sectarian conflict continues to persist, most notably in Myanmar, one of the newer members of ASEAN. However, tensions between the Muslim Rohingya and Budhhist majority in Myanmar are not reflective of the region as a whole. Huntington’s prediction that cultural fault lines would be the primary source of violent discord in the 21st century is not inescapable, and nor does it have universal implications. As Southeast Asia grows into an increasingly prosperous and integrated region, it has arguably become a beacon of hope for intercultural peace and cooperation, and the continued relevance of multilateralism. This has been in spite of its status as the most culturally diverse region in the world, and being faced with unfavourable conditions - such as a history of colonialism, secessionism, and communist insurgencies. Cultural diplomacy has been significant in fostering not only tolerance but also mutual openness and respect between different cultures, and thus providing the necessary conditions for harmony and collaboration. Pluralism is a fact of life, and it is in the interest of different countries and cultures to accommodate and learn from each others’ differences. Diversity should be celebrated rather than condemned. Other regions can take away these lessons from Southeast Asia.