Constructing ASEAN Identity through Shared Cultural Heritage and Socio-Cultural Solidarity
- Alex Lee
- Jul 25
- 3 min read
Gerard P. Concepcion, Ph.D. (University of the Philippines), Preliminary paper presented at the International Conference on ASEAN-ROK Cultural Heritage Cooperation, Seoul,
Republic of Korea, June 26, 2024.
This research paper by Gerard P. Concepcion explores how ASEAN can build a stronger regional identity by focusing on shared cultural heritage rather than emphasizing the differences between member countries. The author argues that while geographic proximity and historical connections are important, they alone cannot create the deep sense of community that ASEAN needs to thrive as a regional organization.
Concepcion proposes that ASEAN identity should be built around six key dimensions of shared cultural heritage that already exist across Southeast Asia. The first dimension is the region's deep spirituality, where despite having different religions like Buddhism, Islam, and Christianity, all Southeast Asian peoples share a profound connection to spiritual life and inner reflection. The second dimension is nationalism, particularly the shared experience of anti-colonial struggles that gave most ASEAN countries a common foundation for independence and nation-building.
The third dimension focuses on humanitarianism and service, reflecting the regional commitment to alleviating poverty and social problems through collective action. The fourth dimension encompasses cultural expressions and social norms, such as the universal emphasis on family ties, respect for elders, and the importance of personal relationships over institutional ones throughout Southeast Asia. The fifth dimension is pan-Asianism and regionalism, recognizing that these countries share similar development challenges and interests as part of the developing world. The final dimension involves a shared orientation toward modernization and economic development while maintaining cultural authenticity.
The paper also presents a framework for building socio-cultural solidarity based on sociological theory. Drawing from Émile Durkheim's work, Concepcion explains that solidarity can emerge from both similarities between people and their interdependence on each other. He argues that ASEAN needs both types of solidarity to succeed as a community. The practical application involves five key components: acknowledging that cultural diversity exists, working to understand different cultures, accepting these differences as valuable, actively valuing what each culture brings to the region, and ensuring that all cultural groups feel included in regional decision-making.
One of the most innovative aspects of this research is the concept of "metaculture" - the idea that beneath all the surface differences between ASEAN countries, there are universal cultural concepts and values that already connect the peoples of Southeast Asia. Rather than trying to create an artificial regional culture, Concepcion suggests that ASEAN should identify and celebrate these existing common threads that have developed over centuries of interaction, trade, and cultural exchange.
The paper makes an important distinction between two types of cultural heritage in the region. Some heritage belongs specifically to individual countries and should be respected as such, while other cultural elements have naturally merged and spread across national boundaries through historical interactions. This shared heritage, including things like similar approaches to music, dance, food preparation, and social customs, can serve as the foundation for regional identity without threatening national sovereignty.
Concepcion emphasizes that building ASEAN identity cannot happen automatically or through government proclamations alone. It requires both top-down institutional support from governments and bottom-up engagement from ordinary citizens who must see ASEAN as relevant to their daily lives. This means creating opportunities for people-to-people exchanges, cultural festivals, educational programs, and other initiatives that make the shared heritage visible and meaningful to regular citizens across the region.
The research concludes that successful regional integration through culture requires treating cultural heritage preservation, protection, and promotion as collective responsibilities rather than just national concerns. This approach offers a practical pathway for strengthening ASEAN while respecting the distinct national identities that remain important to each member country. For policymakers working on cultural cooperation at the ASEAN and APEC levels, this framework provides a sophisticated foundation for developing programs that can genuinely enhance regional solidarity through cultural understanding.
