Excerpts from the Keynote Address of Mr. Ong Keng Yong
Secretary-General of ASEAN

Revisiting the Spirit of ASEAN Southeast Asian Classrooms

On the Role of Teachers 

"Teachers play a critical role in developing the hearts and minds of our young. You impart the fundamental knowledge and skills children need to become contributing members of society. You show them how to seize the opportunities the future holds. You inspire them to reach their full potential.

Your participation at this convention speaks of your dedication in finding Dr. Syed Azmi bin Mat Ahkir, Director, newer and better ways to educate the children of ASEAN. I admire that. Bureau of Resources Development and With your intervention and guidance, the children today can aspire to a Special Assistant to the Secretary General of better life tomorrow. ASEAN, delivered the keynote Speech on behalf of Mr. Ong Keng Yong, Secretary

As educators, you prepare your students for the working world and to be General ASEAN. responsible members of society. These days, it is a complex and challenging world that awaits them. The students of ASEAN need to be aware of the realities of this world outside the classroom. They should be attuned to the shared aspirations that the region has to promote peace and prosperity. They are part of the region, and of ASEAN, whether they realise it or not. They need to understand that ASEAN's prosperity is their prosperity and ASEAN's future is also their future. And ultimately, they have to know that ASEAN's future - and con­sequently their own prospects - is in their hands."

The ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community

"The priorities of the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community ad­dress a range of issues, for instance, health, labour, the environment, social welfare, gender, culture and of course, education. The over-arching aim is to improve the lives of all ASEAN citizens. The principle is social inclusion. As such, the work of the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community would also help ASEAN citizens understand the benefits of being in the ASEAN Community, fostering a sense of belonging, identification and commitment to the region's shared goals. Only when the citizens of ASEAN are committed to the ideals of shared identity, shared responsibility and shared prosperity, can the region continue to flourish."

"Education is ultimately a national responsibility and the bulk of policy planning will be done at your respective ministries of education. However, on a regional level, ASEAN can help facilities the exchange of best practices and acquisition of new techniques."

Education - The Key to the Future

"The ASEAN Leaders have set the goal of building an ASEAN Community by 2020. The teenagers you have in your class­rooms will be the young leaders of 2020. When they under­stand that they are part of ASEAN, and how peace, prosper­ity and the well-being of the people in ASEAN are linked, the young would be better able to sustain what we are working hard to achieve today. It is their energy and commitment that will carry the ASEAN Community beyond 2020. They have a bright future to look forward to and in helping them under-stand the spirit of ASEAN, you would have made a valuable contribution to their lives".

RESOLUTIONS OF THE 21ST ASEAN COUNCIL OF TEACHERS CONVENSION

This 21st Convention of ACT calls upon The Governments of our region to :

• Give full recognition to the importance of teachers and teacher organizations and work in collaboration with them.
• Take the necessary actions to ensure that our teachers work in safe and secure environments.
• Provide appropriate inservice training and professional de­velopment opportunities for our teachers, especially our senior teachers.
• Provide our teachers with adequate facilities, wages and working conditions commensurate with their status and qualifications.
• Discourage interference in the professional work of our teachers.
• Set up an ASEAN Council of Education Ministers to fur­ther enhance cooperation amongst the ASEAN countries.

The Parents and the Community to:

• Support and collaborate with the teachers in their efforts to provide quality education for our children.
• Provide conducive home environments and support to en­sure that their children receive the full benefits of a good education.

The Member Organisations of ACT to:

• Ensure the participation of all Teachers Organisations in ASEAN in the activities of ACT so that, together we can help ensure the best possible education for our children.
• Promote cooperation and collaboration with the other countries in Asia especially Japan, China and India.