Deputy Chair Ian Cook attends plenary session at the 48th meeting of the ASEAN-Committee on Culture and Information (COCI) November 2013

In the welcome address of the 48th meeting of ASEAN–COCI, the Permanent Secretary, Brunei Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, Haji Mohd Rozan bin Dato Paduka Hj Mohd Yunos said that the culture and information sectors in Southeast Asia need to do more to build an ASEAN identity. He went on to comment:

“The goal here is to connect our people beyond borders, bridge cultural gaps and articulate the benefits of regional integration as we move towards the establishment of the ASEAN Community in 2015.”

Permanent Secretary, Brunei Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, Haji Mohd Rozan bin Dato Paduka Hj Mohd Yunos welcomes delegates to ASEAN–COCI #48

The Permanent Secretary also re-affirmed that:

“”… the strategic objectives of the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Blueprint adopted by leaders in 2009 included creating a sense of belonging, consolidating unity and diversity as well as deepening mutual understandings of cultures, histories, religions and civilization.”

Heads of Delegations at the opening ceremony ASEAN–COCI #48, Brunei

AusHeritage was pleased to receive an invitation from Ms. Datin Shireen Mustapha, Chairperson 48th ASEAN–COCI for Deputy Chair Ian Cook to attend the 48th COCI Plenary at the International Convention Centre, Bandar Seri Begawan. The purpose of the invitation was for AusHeritage to present A contemporary guide to cultural mapping – An ASEAN Australia perspective (CMG) to COCI. There was also an opportunity to highlight the relevance of the CMG as a vehicle to promote ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community objectives. [Please refer to the Roadmap for an ASEAN Community 2009-2015 for more details re ASEAN community aspirations – available on the ASEAN website.]

Ian Cook’s presentation included an overview of the CMG project, its history, current status regarding distribution and future deployment as a resource for community building. Chairperson Mustapha, in her closing remarks reminded delegates that the CM program was approved at COCI #38 in Bandar Seri Begawan in 2003 and that it was fitting that the CMG presentation was taking place in Brunei in 2013 on the tenth anniversary of the project’s approval.

Ian Cook’s concluding comment was that:

“Co-author Ken Taylor and I are thrilled that the ASEAN–COCI AusHeritage cultural mapping book is now available. We certainly hope that colleagues and communities will find it a useful tool for planning and implementing cultural mapping projects across the region. We believe the Guide has particular relevance to the issues outlined by the Permanent Secretary in his opening address to COCI #48.”

For further information please contact:

Ian Cook
Deputy Chair
AusHeritage Ltd
ianlcook@bigpond.net.au