Keynote Remarks by H.E. Dato' Misran Karmain
Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for
ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community
The 1st International Innovative Crafts Symposium
"ASEAN Innovative Arts and Crafts"
8 – 11 August 2012, Craft Innovation Centre, Ayutthaya, Thailand
H.E.SiriwatKajornprasart, Deputy Minister of Commerce of Thailand
Mrs. PimpapaanChansilpa, CEO of SACICT
Distinguished Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It gives me great pleasure to welcome you and present my keynote remarks at the 1st International Innovation Crafts Symposium.
As we all know, ASEAN is moving towards establishing an ASEAN Community in 2015. Pursuant to that, ASEAN is gearing up to forge a regional identity for ASEAN through various cultural and information projects that cover the arts -- visual, performing, literary, musical and other art forms whether traditional, contemporary, or modern -- cultural heritage, information and the mass media, as well as in collaboration with our Dialogue Partners.
Over the years, ASEAN has created and maintained an effective mechanism to protect, conserve and preserve the cultural heritage of the region. At the same time, ASEAN continues to promote culture and information for the purpose of enhancing mutual understanding and solidarity among the peoples of ASEAN as well as in fostering regional identity. These were visibly reflected in many high-level documents of ASEAN, such as the Declaration of ASEAN Concord (Bali Concord I) in 1976, the Hanoi Plan of Action in 1998,the ASEAN Declaration on Cultural Heritage in 2000, and the Declaration of ASEAN Concord II (Bali Concord II) in 2003.
The Declaration on ASEAN Unity in Cultural Diversity: Towards Strengthening ASEAN Community 2011 signed on 17 November 2011 in Bali, Indonesia at the sidelines of the 19th ASEAN Summit is another platform to recognise, respect, protect and promote the existing cultural diversity in the region. The Declaration, undeniably, considers arts and crafts the important elements in promoting an ASEANidentity through fostering of greater awareness of thediverse cultures and heritage of the ASEAN region.
ASEAN is cognizant that it will have to focus on the diversification and development of arts and crafts to forge closer friendship and understanding, enhance ASEAN bonding through cultural creativity and the promotion and cooperation on cultural industries, to guarantee the viability of the ASEAN Community.
I firmly believe that regional action on innovative arts and crafts is necessary to create an ASEAN sense of belonging, consolidate unity in diversity and enhance deeper mutual understanding among ASEAN Member States about their culture, history, religion, and civilisation in order to establish the ASEAN Community by 2015.
The Symposium is also timely as it already creates a momentum to engage younger generation of artists, craftsmen and cultural practitioners through different platforms, such as cultural networking, voluntarism, entrepreneurship, in the building a caring and sharing society which is inclusive and harmonious where the well-being, livelihood, and welfare of the peoples in ASEAN are enhanced.
In concluding my remarks, I wish to express my sincere appreciation to “the Support Arts and Crafts International Centre of Thailand” for organising this important Symposium and wish all participants a fruitful and successful event. I hope all of you will have a pleasant stay in Thailand.
Thank you.
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