MODEL ASEAN
2nd Training Day of 4th Model ASEAN Meeting at AUPP
Have you ever wondered how ASEAN meetings are conducted? How the Ministers of each member state come together to discuss pressing issues relevant to the Bloc? Model ASEAN offers an opportunity for students to walk in the shoes of those Ministers.
For further reading, please refer to the official website of ASEAN.
What is Model ASEAN?
Model ASEAN, or MASEAN, is an academic simulation where students get to enact meetings conducted by the Ministers of ASEAN. Students will be randomly assigned a country of the 11 member states and they're tasked with writing a Draft Chairman Statement which represents the interests of their country relating to the issues discussed.
After that, they will debate and push for their resolutions to be passed while rejecting those that are in conflict with their national interests.
How Is it Conducted?
Similar to Model UN, meetings will also be conducted using Parliamentary Procedures. Meetings are also moderated by a Chairman, however they are selected based on the incumbent Chairman of ASEAN at the time of the event. Nevertheless, the Chairman is expected to be unbiased.
Delegates are expected to debate with civility and with respect towards the Chairmen of the committee. Any action must be authorized by the Chairmen prior to being enacted. This includes speaking, requesting for a vote, or a POI.
Should the delegate request for a vote on the resolution, or moderated or unmoderated caucus, it must have seconds in order for the Chairman to call for a vote from everyone. Unlike Model UN which requires a majority, Model ASEAN requires a full consensus to pass any decision.
What is Discussed?
Topics vary from each Model ASEAN. However, it tends to focus on three categories based on the three pillars of ASEAN:
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ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC)
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ASEAN Economic Community (AEC)
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ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC).
As such, topics are relevant to ASEAN such as drug and human trafficking, the South China Sea dispute, conversion into a more green and sustainable economy etc.
Briefing on the Pillars of ASEAN
As mentioned prior, this is a brief explanation of the Three Pillars of ASEAN:
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ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC): Supports political and security relations between ASEAN member states
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ASEAN Economic Community (AEC): Aims to create a stable, prosperous, and competitive economic region through competition policy, consumer protection, and intellectual property rights
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ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC): Aims to contribute to realizing an ASEAN Community that is people-and socially responsible with a view to achieving enduring solidarity and unity among the nations and peoples of ASEAN by forging a common identity and building a caring and sharing society.
Each pillar has its own blueprint. ASEAN was established in 1967 by the governments of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand to promote peace and security, economic growth, social progress, and cultural development in Southeast Asia.
Gallery of 4th Model ASEAN Meeting at AUPP
