COOPERATION in culture and information has been one of ASEAN's main pillars since the signing of the Bangkok Declaration in 1967. It was activities in this sector that sparked the growth of regionalism during ASEAN's infant years.

One of ASEAN's earliest agreements was The Agreement for the Promotion of Cooperation in Mass Media and Cultural Activities which was signed at the Third Meeting of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers held in the Cameron Highlands, Malaysia in December 1969.

This agreement provided for the promotion of mass media activities by: (a) Broadcasting regular programs to reflect the aims, purposes and activities of ASEAN by the radio and television services of each member country; (b) Organizing film festivals; (c) Encouraging the exchange of film artistes and the undertaking of joint film productions; and (d) Organizing seminars and other activities on mass media.

The agreement also provided for the promotion of cultural cooperation by: (a) Exchanging artistes in the field of visual and performing arts; (b) Undertaking joint research in the arts and in literature; (c) Organizing seminars and exhibitions in the arts, literature and related matters; and (d) Organizing cultural festivals.

The agreement provided for member countries to examine the possibility of exchanging experts, organizing seminars in mass media and cultural activities, as well as examining the possibility of establishing cultural institutions in member countries.

Soon after the signing of the Agreement in Cameron, ASEAN undertook such colourful projects as the annual ASEAN film festival, performing arts festival, the exchange of radio and television artistes and the production of audio-visual materials to help foster understanding among members and generate solidarity and goodwill.

Two "permanent committees" were established to carry out the programs on culture and information. These were the Permanent Committee on Socio-Cultural Activities and the Permanent Committee on Mass Media. Since 1978 up to the present, the ASEAN Committee on Culture and Information (COCI) has carried out the functions of these two permanent committees