Halong City (Vietnam), 5 March – Foreign Affairs  Secretary Delia Domingo Albert yesterday presented the  Philippine initiative of an ASEAN Socio-Cultural  Community (ASCC) during the ASEAN Informal Ministers  Retreat held at this resort city, whose picturesque  bay is considered by UNESCO as a world heritage site.

The Filipino top diplomat said that the Philippines is  currently working on a strategy for the ASCC action  plan which will be submitted at the ASEAN Ministerial  Meeting at Jakarta in June.

As the third pillar of the envisioned ASEAN Community,  the ASCC will focus on projects related to the  development of human resources and support for the  economic integration of member countries, especially  in the health and education sectors. It also aims to  strengthen the foundation for equitable and  sustainable development and an increase in cultural  awareness within the ASEAN.

In emphasizing that protection be given to women who  had been victims of human trafficking and other  transnational crimes, the Secretary said that the  youth will also benefit from this initiative.

“This informal retreat by the ASEAN Foreign Ministers  and the important agenda items we tackled are timely  as they coincide with the celebration of International  Women’s Day this month. ASEAN envisions Southeast Asia  to be bonded together in partnership as a community of  caring societies. This community shall foster  cooperation in social development aimed at raising the  standard of living of disadvantaged groups and seek  the active involvement of all sectors, particularly  the women and the youth,” she said.

The Secretary added that the ASEAN Foreign Ministers  fully supported the Philippines’ initial concept paper  on the ASCC presented last December 2003 at the ASEAN  Summit in Bali, where suggestions were made for the  inclusion of specific projects in the areas of public health and education, as well as a study of ASEAN  languages and exchange program for junior diplomats.  At the Informal Retreat, Thailand offered ten (10)  scholarships for the study of the Thai language.

“I also raised the importance of organizing a dialogue  on religion to prevent misunderstandings and result in  gaining a better appreciation and tolerance of other  religions and cultures. This recommendation was  supported by Singapore,” Secretary Albert added.

The Foreign Ministers will meet again in Jakarta for  the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in June, where the  Department of Foreign Affairs hopes to finalize the  action plan for the ASCC. END.