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Monday, August 8, 2011

How do you celebrate ASEAN Day?

August 8th as ASEAN Day was first recommended in the Joint Statement by the ASEAN Foreign Ministers in Manila (Philippines) on July 30, 2007 and it was endorsed at the conclusion of the 13th ASEAN Summit (under the theme “One ASEAN at the Heart of Dynamic Asia”) in Singapore on 20 November 2007. It was also declared in the ASEAN Charter which was signed by all Member countries the same day.

ASEAN Day is an important element of building an ASEAN identity, promoting ASEAN awareness and bringing ASEAN into the consciousness of its people. It is acknowledged that the active participation and support of the ASEAN people would be necessary and essential to the continuing and strengthening of ASEAN solidarity, friendship, and cooperation towards building an ASEAN Community by 2015.

It is agreed that the observance of ASEAN Day every 8th Day of August as a special day in all ASEAN Member Countries would significantly increase awareness and consciousness of ASEAN, as well as promote and establish an ASEAN identity, across the region. This region-wide celebration would stimulate “Think, Feel and Act ASEAN” activities and programmes.

Please share your memory with any of the ASEAN Days with us at asean.cultural.exchange@gmail.com. A number of highlighted stories will be featured on our homepage as articles covering ASEAN Day Celebration across the region.